Hurricanes trade goalie Boucher to Flyers, acquire Westgarth from Kings

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes are making some moves the day after the official end of the NHL lockout.

The Hurricanes traded goaltender Brian Boucher and defenceman Mark Alt to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday in exchange for centre Luke Pither.

Later Carolina acquired forward Kevin Westgarth from the Los Angeles Kings for forward Anthony Stewart, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013 and a sixth-round selection in 2014.

The 36-year-old Boucher has spent most of his 14-year NHL career as a backup. He started eight games last season, losing all but one of them. Alt was drafted by the Hurricanes in 2010. The 21-year-old defenceman had five goals and 17 assists for the Minnesota Golden Gophers last season.

Carolina says Pither will be assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. The 23-year-old centre has 11 goals and 14 assists in 35 games in the ECHL this season.

Westgarth played 25 games with Los Angeles last season, putting up one goal one assist and accumulating 39 penalty minutes.

"We were looking for a character, team guy who can play a gritty role for our team," said Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford. "Kevin is a good addition to fill that spot."

Stewart had nine goals and 11 assists in 77 games with the Hurricanes in 2011-12.

The Hurricanes also agreed to terms with goaltender Dan Ellis on a one-year contract worth a pro-rated US$650,000.