The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed one of their minor league veterans, inking Patrick Brown to a one-year two-way contract. The 26-year old Brown was scheduled to become a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer thanks to his lack of NHL experience. The contract will pay him $650K in the NHL.
Brown was first signed out of Boston College in 2014, and quickly ascended the ranks in the AHL. Named captain of the Charlotte Checkers last season, he has played 28 games in the NHL but found a home in the minor leagues. Carolina GM Don Waddell explained as much in a statement:
Patrick served as captain in Charlotte again last season and was the heart and soul of the team. He is a tremendous leader on and off the ice and is a reliable, hard-working player. We are excited to keep him in the organization again next season.
The two-way forward had 27 points in 68 games with the Checkers, but wasn’t able to get them past their second-round playoff opponent. The Checkers fell at the hands of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in five games, and will try to get back to the Calder Cup playoffs in 2018-19.