Tickets for the Checkers’ game against Norfolk on Jan. 6 at PNC Arena will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, Nov. 1. A presale for Hurricanes and Checkers season ticket holders will begin on Monday, Oct. 29.

There are four price categories for the game, ranging from $15 in the club corners to $100 for front-row seats. Center ice seating in the lower level and club level is set at $35, and seats in the north and south end zones are $20. Tickets will be available for the general public beginning at 10 a.m. on Nov. 1 at the PNC Arena box office and all Ticketmaster locations.

The password-protected presale for Hurricanes and Checkers season ticket holders will begin at 10 a.m. on Oct. 29, and provides a $5 discount for all available seating categories with the exception of front-row seats. Season ticket holders will be emailed a password and link for the presale, and purchases may also be made at the PNC Arena box office using season ticket holder identification cards.

– News release

The Carolina Hurricanes today announced that the team has signed forward Jeff Skinner to a six-year contract extension. The deal will pay Skinner $4,350,000 in 2013-14 and $6 million per season from the 2014-15 season through the 2018-19 season.

During a media conference call, Skinner said the Raleigh area played into his decision to want to stay with the Hurricanes. “The area is definitely a big part of it,” Skinner said. “I love living there and playing there. The fans are amazing. I don’t know of any players who don’t love it.”

He added that he adjusted quickly to North Carolina after being born and raised in Canada, and that he liked Raleigh from the beginning. Hurricanes President and General Manager Jim Rutherford certainly likes having Skinner in Raleigh.

“Jeff is a cornerstone player for our team, and his long-term commitment to the Hurricanes is great news for our franchise and our fans,” said Rutherford. “At 20 years old, he is still in the very early stages of his career, and we felt it was important to ensure he would be spending much more of it in Raleigh.”

Skinner, 20, completed his second NHL season in 2011-12, ranking second among Hurricanes skaters in goals (20) and third in points (44) in 64 games played. The Markham, Ont., native was third on the team in power-play assists (9) and power-play points (13), and fourth on the team in power-play goals (4), despite missing 16 games due to a concussion.

“We didn’t’ get off to the start we wanted last year and dug ourselves too big a hole,” Skinner said. With the player moves the Hurricanes have made in the off season, he doesn’t see that happening again.

“There have been a lot of big moves by our organization,” he said. “It’s exciting to see ownership and management making those kinds of moves. Hopefully we can set it up next season.”

He added that it’s exciting to sign a long-term deal and be able to concentrate just on playing hockey.

The Hurricanes’ first pick, seventh overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Skinner (5’11”, 193 lbs.) won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2010-11, ranking first among league rookies in points (63), second in assists (32) and third in goals (31). He scored his 30th goal on April 6, 2011, against Detroit, becoming the youngest player in franchise history and the seventh-youngest player in NHL history to score 30 goals (18 years, 325 days). Skinner became the youngest All-Star in NHL history when he skated for Team Staal at the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh at the age of 18 years, 259 days, breaking the record set by Steve Yzerman (18 years, 267 days) in 1984. In 146 career NHL games with the Hurricanes, Skinner has totaled 51 goals, 56 assists (107 points) and 102 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning professional, Skinner totaled 141 points (77g, 64a) and 106 penalty minutes in 127 career games for Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 2009-10, he became the first Kitchener Ranger in 23 years, and the only Canadian Hockey League (CHL) player in his draft class, to score 50 regular-season goals. Skinner has also represented Canada at several international competitions, including the 2011 and 2012 IIHL World Championships.

The Carolina Hurricanes open their 2012 exhibition schedule on Sept. 26 at Columbus, and play their first exhibition home game on Sept. 28 against the Nashville Predators. For information on 2012-13 Carolina Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com, or call 1-866-NHL-CANES.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Jordan Staal on a 10-year contract extension. The deal begins with the 2013-14 NHL season and extends through the 2022-23 season, paying Staal $6 million per season.

“We are very pleased that Jordan has chosen to commit to the Hurricanes organization and to make North Carolina his home,” said GM Jim Rutherford. “At 23 years old he is just starting to come into his prime, and he now represents a cornerstone of our franchise for the long term.”

Staal, 23, completed his sixth NHL season in 2011-12, posting career highs in assists (25) and points (50), and a career second-best 25 goals, despite playing in just 62 of Pittsburgh’s 82 regular-season games. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native added six goals and three assists (9 points) to lead the Penguins in scoring in their six-game, first-round playoff series against Philadelphia.

In six NHL seasons with Pittsburgh, Staal (6’4”, 220 lbs.) has scored 120 goals, earned 128 assists and posted a plus-53 plus/minus rating in 431 regular-season games. The Penguins have qualified for the playoffs in each of his six seasons, and he captured the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. In 73 career Stanley Cup playoff games, he has scored 23 goals and earned 13 assists (36 points). The Penguins selected Staal in the first round, second overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He is the younger brother of Hurricanes captain Eric Staal.

The Carolina Hurricanes will open their 2012 exhibition schedule on Sept. 26 at Columbus, and play their first exhibition home game on Sept. 28 against the Nashville Predators. For information on 2012-13 Carolina Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com, or call 1-866-NHL-CANES.

– News release

The Carolina Hurricanes today completed their activities at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA, by selecting nine players in rounds 2-7. Carolina selected five forwards, two defensemen and two goaltenders on the draft’s second day after having traded the eighth overall pick to Pittsburgh on Friday in the deal that brought center Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes.

Carolina used its first of two second-round picks (38th overall) to select left wing Phil Di Giuseppe (5’11”, 197 lbs.) from the University of Michigan. Di Giuseppe, 18, notched 11 goals and earned 15 assists (26 points) in 40 games with the Wolverines during his freshman season, and was an honorable mention for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) All-Rookie Team. The Maple, Ont., native wrapped up his first collegiate season with nine points (5g, 4a) in Michigan’s final eight games.

Later in the second round, the Hurricanes used the 47th overall pick on left wing Brock McGinn from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). McGinn, 18, completed his second season of major junior hockey in 2011-12, notching 12 goals and earning seven assists (19 points) in 33 games. He missed more that two months of action after suffering a wrist injury in December. The Fergus, Ont., native is coached by former Carolina forward Scott Walker in Guelph, and was named an alternate captain for the team prior to the start of the season. He is the younger brother of Colorado Avalanche forward Jamie McGinn, and forward Tye McGinn who was drafted by Philadelphia in 2010.

In the third round, Carolina used the 69th overall pick to select goaltender Daniel Altshuller from the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. Altshuller, 17, played his first season of major junior hockey in 2011-12, and posted an 11-16-2 record, a 3.55 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in 30 regular-season games. The Ottawa, Ont., native went 2-2 with a 3.87 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in five playoff appearances after winning the No. 1 role from fourth-year goaltender Kevin Bailie.

With their first of three fourth-round picks, the Hurricanes used the 99th overall selection on forward Erik Karlsson from Sweden. Karlsson, 17, spent the majority of 2011-12 with Frolunda Jr. of Sweden’s junior league, and notched 14 goals and 19 assists (33 points) in 47 games. The Lerum, Sweden, native also added three goals and seven assists (10 points) in four games with Frolunda’s under-18 junior team in 2011-12. In April, he earned three points (1g, 2a) in six games as Sweden captured the silver medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation 2012 Under-18 World Championship in the Czech Republic. (AUDIO: Karlsson conference call with media gathered in Raleigh)

Later in the fourth round, Carolina used the 115th overall pick on defenseman Trevor Carrick from Mississauga St. Michael’s of the OHL. Carrick, 17, finished his first OHL season with six goals, 13 assists (19 points) and 64 penalty minutes, while playing in all 68 of the Majors’ regular-season games. The Stouffville, Ont., native is the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs 2010 fourth-round pick, Sam Carrick. (AUDIO: Carrick conference call with media gathered in Raleigh)

Just five picks removed from selecting Carrick, the Hurricanes used pick No. 120 in the draft on defenseman Jaccob Slavin from Chicago of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Erie, CO, native scored three goals and earned 27 assists (30 points) in 2011-12, while playing in all 60 of the Steel’s regular-season games. The 17-year-old posted a plus-6 plus/minus rating, despite his team allowing 33 more goals than it scored. Slavin is committed to Colorado College of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) for the 2013-14 season.

In the fifth round, Carolina used the 129th overall pick on left wing Brendan Woods from the University of Wisconsin (WCHA). Woods, 20, completed his first collegiate season in 2011-12, scoring five goals, earning five assists (10 points) and totaling 67 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Badgers. The Humboldt, Sask., native spent two seasons in the USHL with Chicago and Muskegon before beginning his collegiate career.

The Hurricanes used their sixth-round pick to add goaltender Collin Olson to the organization. Olson, 18, spent the 2011-12 season with the United States National Team Development Program’s Under-18 team, and posted a 2.50 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage in 34 games. It marked the Burnsville, MN, native’s second season with the USNTDP, as he spent 2010-11 with the Under-17 team, and recorded a 2.84 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in 19 games. He was named the tournament’s best goaltender as Team USA won gold at the IIHF 2012 Under-18 World Championship in April, going 5-0 with a 0.80 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage in five games. (AUDIO: Olson conference call with media gathered in Raleigh)

The Hurricanes wrapped up the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by selecting left wing Brendan Collier with the 189th overall pick in the draft’s seventh round. In 25 games with Malden Catholic High School in 2011-12, Collier led the team with 38 assists and 64 points, and ranked second on the team with 26 goals as the Lancers captured their second straight Massachusetts Division 1A title. The Charlestown, MA, native is committed to Boston University.

A complete list of players selected Carolina during the 2012 Entry Draft is below.

The Carolina Hurricanes will open their 2012 exhibition schedule on Sept. 26 at Columbus, and play their first exhibition home game on Sept. 28 against the Nashville Predators. For information on 2012-13 Carolina Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com, or call 1-866-NHL-CANES.

Carolina Hurricanes 2012 NHL Entry Draft Selections

Rd Pick # Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Team (League)

1 8 Traded to Pittsburgh

2 38 Phillip di Giuseppe 5’11” 197 LW University of Michigan (CCHA)

2 47 Brock McGinn 5’11” 174 LW Guelph (OHL)

3 69 Daniel Altshuller 6’2” 191 G Oshawa (OHL)

4 99 Erik Karlsson 5’11” 161 C Frolunda (Swe. Jr.)

4 115 Trevor Carrick 6’1” 171 D Mississauga St. Michael’s (OHL)

4 120 Jaccob Slavin 6’1” 170 D Chicago (USHL)

5 129 Brendan Woods 6’2” 190 LW University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

6 159 Collin Olson 6’3” 197 G USA (USHL)

7 189 Brendan Collier 5’9” 168 LW Malden Catholic (Mass. High School)

– News release

Just before the Carolina Hurricanes first pick in the NHL draft tonight, the Canes worked out a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins for Jordan Staal, who now joins his brother in Raleigh.

But the Hurricanes not only their No. 8 pick in 2012 draft, they gave up Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brian Dumoulin, a promising prospect. It will be fun and exciting to see Jordan and Eric Staal play together. They have long wanted to play together and they surely will play well together.

However, giving up the 8th pick, a more than solid player in Sutter who had 53 goals and 54 assists in 286 games for the Hurricanes, and what some think is a sure-fire future star in Dumoulin, was too much for the Hurricanes, especially considering that Jordan Staal would have been an unrestricted free agent next year and could have joined his brother with the Hurricanes then.

Supposedly, there were a couple of other teams trying hard to get Jordan Staal, who had given the Penguins notice that he would turn down their contract extension offer. As a result, the Hurricanes threw Sutter into the deal. Sutter, 23, will fit in nicely as the Penguins third-line center role.

That said, Jordan Staal will be able to spread his wings and be a bigger star than he was in Pittsburgh where Sidney Crosby and, and even Evgeni Malkin, are ahead of him.

Not knowing what the other prospective deals were, it’s hard to say whether or not Sutter should have been thrown into the deal. But the No. 8 pick and a promising defenseman normally would be enough for a player who will become an unrestricted free agent in a year.

Jordan Staal just got married and certainly wants some stability for years to come. It’s a good situation for him to be in Raleigh with brother Eric. Still, I can’t help but think the Penguins got a better deal than the Hurricanes. That said, maybe the excitement factor of the brothers playing together (along with the stability of keeping Eric Staal in a Hurricanes uniform) will help keep Carolina Hurricanes fans in their seats (or up out of them) for years to come.

Rumors have swirled around for nearly two months that the Carolina Hurricanes would get Eric Staal’s brother Jordan from Pittsburgh but the Penguins general manager said today that he’s not interested in trading Jordan Staal.

“People read the newspapers and so maybe they think he’s available,” Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero said. “That stuff is all speculation. I have made it clear to every team that has asked. I don’t want to trade Jordan. I’m not listening to offers. I want Jordan here. I want him here for a long time, and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

It could be a little trick to get more trade value but I take him at his word. Jordan Staal was Shero’s first pick as GM back in 2006. I suspect that Shero wants to re-sign Staal to a contract extension soon (negotiations can begin July 1) because Staal can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.

Insiders have said that Staal is a top trade possibility prior to this weekend’s NHL Draft. The draft is in Pittsburgh and I imagine the Penguins’ organization would like to have the Hurricane’s first pick at No. 8. Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently reported a specific offer he says the Carolina Hurricanes put on the table for Staal. Rossi said that the Hurricanes were willing to part with highly regarded young players Justin Faulk and Brandon Sutter, along with the 8th overall pick to get Staal and take on the contract of defenseman Paul Martin.

John Forslund will begin his 18th season as the Carolina Hurricanes’ television play-by-play voice in 2012-13, and his 22nd season with the Hurricanes organization. Former professional goaltender Tripp Tracy will join Forslund as color analyst for the duo’s 14th season together, calling the team’s games on FOX Sports Carolinas.

Chuck Kaiton continues at the franchise’s only radio play-by-play man since it entered the NHL in 1979. Kaiton’s radio calls can be heard on the Hurricanes Radio Network, and its flagship station, 99.9 FM The Fan.

“John, Tripp and Chuck have been mainstays of the Hurricanes for a long, long time,” said Jim Rutherford, president and general manager of the Hurricanes, who today signed the three broadcasters to new, multi-year contracts. “Most of our young fans have grown up with their voices describing the game, and we are very pleased that they will each continue in their roles moving forward.”

-From news release