Canes, Featured stories, The skinny

Ruutu agrees to contract that keeps him with Hurricanes through 2015-16

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The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Tuomo Ruutu on a four-year contract extension. The deal will pay Ruutu $4 million in 2012-13, and $5 million per season in the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

“Players like Tuomo are extremely difficult to replace, and it is very important for our franchise to keep him here long term,” said Canes GM Jim Rutherford. “Along with the physical elements and skill level that he brings on the ice, Tuomo is a popular leader in our locker room. We are very happy that he has committed to what we are building here, and is excited about what the future holds for the Hurricanes.”

Ruutu, 29, ranks second among Hurricanes skaters in goals (17) and fourth in points (30) in 57 games this season. The Vantaa, Finland, native is second on the team in hits (106) and tied for fourth on the team in plus/minus (+3). Ruutu played in his 500th career NHL game on Dec. 31 at Tampa Bay, and had a six-game point streak from Dec. 15-27 (5 goals, 2 assists).

Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks with the ninth overall selection of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Ruutu has totaled 128 goals, 167 assists (295 points) and 498 penalty minutes in 517 career NHL games with Chicago and Carolina. The Hurricanes acquired Ruutu from Chicago on Feb. 26, 2008, in exchange for Andrew Ladd, and he has earned 187 points (80g, 107a) in 289 games with Carolina. He established single-season career highs in goals (26) in 2008-09, and points (57) in 2010-11, and made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in 2009, helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference Final.

Ruutu has represented his native Finland in 10 major international tournaments, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, when Finland won bronze. He was third among all skaters in goals at the 2011 IIHF World Championship, leading Finland to the gold medal.

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday at the RBC Center (7 p.m., FOX Sports Carolinas HD, Hurricanes Radio Network).

Featured stories, N.C. State, The skinny, UNC

State plays well in spurts but UNC’s Marshall puts an entire game together

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N.C. State had the chip on its shoulder and the Wolfpack played well enough inside to beat North Carolina… but only if Kendall Marshall hadn’t decided to shoot. Marshall scored a career-high 22 points, including four threes, to lead the Heels to an 86-74 victory in Raleigh.

Marshall’s not going to shoot like that every game, hitting four of five threes and seven of eight total shots, but teams are not going to be able to leave him that open the rest of the season. He’s going to take that open three.

It was the first game since Evansville on Dec. 6 that five Tar Heels have scored in double figures. Part of the reason might have been because UNC coach Roy Williams sat the subs for most of the last 10 minutes because they took poor shots and turned the ball over when they were in there in the second half.

The Heels hit 51 percent of their shots, including 10 of 19 from three-point land. “I think we shot it better than we have all year,” Williams said.

State coach Mark Gottfried said his team played well in spurts, especially in the first half, but his players haven’t been able to put together an entire game.

For more on the game, please click here.

Canes, Featured stories, The skinny

Fans get opportunity to share the ice with Hurricanes alumni

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The National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes today announced plans to host their first-ever Alumni Fantasy Game on Sunday, April 1 at 3 p.m. The event will provide fans a chance to get an NHL experience, skating in a game that includes locally-based Hurricanes alumni on the ice at the RBC Center. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation.

Ten Hurricanes alumni are scheduled to participate in the Alumni Fantasy Game: Ron Francis, Rod Brind’Amour, Glen Wesley, Jesse Boulerice, Aaron Ward, Shane Willis, Robert Kron, Steve Halko, Steve Rice and Tripp Tracy. Participants will dress in the Hurricanes’ locker room and enjoy a game atmosphere in the arena, including Hurricanes Play-by-Play Announcer John Forslund’s call on the video board, Stormy, the Eye Care Associates Storm Squad and more. Hurricanes Head Coach Kirk Muller and his staff will serve as coaches for the game, which will be no-hitting, with three running-clock periods and full intermissions. Fans not participating on the ice are welcome to watch the game free of charge, with an optional contribution to the Kids ‘N Community Foundation at the door.

The entry fee for playing in the Alumni Fantasy Game is $1,500, and includes:

Participation in the game on the ice, and the full game-day player experience
A personalized, authentic Hurricanes jersey
Four lower-level tickets for the Hurricanes’ home game against the New Jersey Devils on March 31
A DVD of the Alumni Fantasy Game, as called by John Forslund
Access for four people to a post-game cocktail reception following the Alumni Fantasy Game

The 30 slots available for participation in the game will go on sale to season ticket holders, suite holders and corporate partners on Wednesday, Feb. 22 and are first-come, first-served. All remaining spots go on sale to the general public on Monday, Feb. 27. For more information about participation in the game please contact Shane Willis at shanew@carolinahurricanes.com or (919) 861-5425. Players must be at least 18 years old and have hockey-playing experience.

The Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation provides much needed funding to children’s charities and education programs throughout North Carolina. The Foundation has funded scholarship programs, youth hockey, educational and literacy efforts, children’s health programs, the arts and other children’s related initiatives. Annually, the Foundation provides cash and in-kind contributions of more than $1 million to charitable and educational programs in North Carolina. Every member of the Hurricanes organization is actively involved in community activities and the Hurricanes take great pride in the ability to have a positive impact in our state.

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday at the RBC Center (7 p.m., FOX Sports Carolinas HD, Hurricanes Radio Network)

Canes, Featured stories, The skinny

Get a flavor of Hurricanes 5-0 win over the Capitals

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The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 5-0, their second straight shutout over the Caps after a 3-0 here a month ago. Justin Peters recorded his first National Hockey League shutout, making 17 saves. Eric Staal extended his point streak to six games with two goals and an assist, and broke a record doing so.

“We came out hard, we were focused and it was a good performance by everybody,” head coach Kirk Muller said.

Featured stories, N.C. State, The skinny

State’s assistant athletics director to speak at Raleigh Sports Club

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Bob Alejo, N.C. State assistant athletics director for strength and conditioning, will speak at Wednesday’s Raleigh Sports Club luncheon Wednesday. Alejo coordinates the day-to-day efforts of the men’s basketball team. He was formerly at UCLA and with the Oakland A’s.

Alejo holds the advanced NSCA Strength and Conditioning Coach distinction, and is an accomplished lecturer and author. He was the strength and conditioning coach of the 2008 US Olympic Gold Medal-winning men’s beach volleyball team.

Madison Jones, a Ravenscroft basketball player, will be honored as the Student Athlete of the Week.

Buffet lines open at 11:30 a.m. The Forks Cafeteria will continue to cater a Southern Buffet. The meeting location will again be at Highland UMC at 1901 Ridge Road at the intersection of Lake Boone Trail, just inside the Beltline. Annual dues for the 2011-12 season will remain $60. Weekly attendance fee will remain $14 and applies whether the member plans to eat lunch or not. All guests fees will be $20 per guest. Pick sheets and door prizes will be held.

Featured stories, N.C. State, The skinny

Pack fans show support for Corchiani, Gugliotta on Facebook

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After ACC official Karl Hess kicked former N.C. State stars Chris Corchiani and Tom Gugliotta, Facebook immediately lit up. Below are some of the responses.

That ref was just having a bad day, that’s all. Perhaps he needs more bran in his diet.
about an hour ago ·

Way to go Chris! Don’t back down on this one….

That’s if you are pissed that Googs and Corch got thrown out of yesterday’s game…let your voices be heard and get that bastard of a ref, Karl Hess, fined or fired….

Rabbit Ears for sure!!

Hey all my friends who are Wolfpackers–in regards to Tom and Chris getting kicked out of the game on Saturday. Chris and Tom were my boys when I worked at State with student-athlete academics and no players have ever been better ambassadors for Pack Athletics. I was there sitting behind them at the game, and ironically at half-time, Chris commented on how the RBC staff act like Nazis

The next game that Karl Hess referee’s at….the entire student section should chant… Kaarrl…Kaarrl….YOU SUCK! Over and over and over and over…if one person gets kicked out, the whole lower level should leave…talk about making a statement…Hell, I would have gone courtside and raised enough hell to be thrown out yesterday if I had been there in support of you guys!

‎Chris Corchiani Tom Gugliotta Gotta love how the Wolfpack nations stands behind their own…Googs and Corch were already legends, but now they are legendary as fans!

I guess they should have thrown us all out in Reynolds when you played.

Ken Harris Lenny Wertz and Larry rose should have kicked me out of Reynolds a dozen times if they were as sensitive as Hess.

Cheers Chris…Sometimes a pitcher has to hit somebody to send a message. Part of the game…

Chris, I know you have heard this already, but you and TG may be the wildest boys I know! Go Pack!

Refs are supposed to be invisible during a game. More and more these days Refs think it is about them not the players. A thin skinned ref needs to find a new hobby!
Way to go Chris and Tommy!! Yow needs to fix that silly event!!

Stand strong my Wolfpack brother!!! The entire Wolfpack Nation is behind you and Goog on this one!!! Way to stand strong!!!

All ACC fans share in the outrage! Can I get a technical for what I’m thinking?

Coach V just got T’d up from heaven.

only at NCSU would this happen. I guess Hess was just board.

Imagine my shock when I was watching ESPN and see your name on The Bottom Line, “Tom Gugliotta and Chris Corchiani ejected from Game” WHAAAAAT? lol

Hey Chris what happened out there today. I heard you gave the refs a peace of your mind. They did not like it and you got tossed. What in the world is going on.

Thanks for standing up to the poorest officiating in the NCAA. All year long, its been horrible. Hess heard the truth and it hit a nerve, that’s all.

Good job buddy. Be strong.

I am a FSU grad but more of a Corch fan. Sorry that happened. Stupid. Fire & Ice & Goog!

You looked good on the internet. They showed your good side. lol Thats a bunch of crap what they did to you two.

That-a-boy Chris!!! That was sweet!!!!

Throwing out two Wolfpack great looks even more ridiculous from across the country. Good thing I wasn’t at that scorer’s table.

Corch, that Karl Hess will get his!

You’d think after the way the officials changed the outcome of the Duke game they would owe us one.

That is so bullsh*t, same crap as Paparo when you played, bastards want to be part of the show with no real talent to behold!!!!!!!!

My last thoughts on Facebook about the Chris Corchiani ejection today: I have known Chris and his wife for about 15 years. I can promise you Chris understands the he is a representative of NC State no matter where he goes. He would NEVER have cursed an official from right behind the scoring table. This was an example of Karl Hess losing his cool as he has done many times before.
If Roy Williams had to answer for throwing a fan out of a game, Karl Hess should have to answer to it too. The ACC should call a presser tomorrow and force Hess to answer to it.

Give Em Hell….Corch..luv it

cant believe that crap , i guess he couldn’t do it years ago so hes doing now

What’s next? Is Karl Hess going to spit on David Thompson next week?

I can’t believe that my good friend Chris Corchiani was booted along with Tom Gugliotta from the FSU/NC State basketball game today. Karl Hess is another example of a large ego official who changes the course of games with poor calls. And by the way, I was cheering for Florida State today and still thought this was a crock!

Ridiculous. ACC refs are a JOKE!

If anything, you guys are getting a lot of love from the students! Maybe you need to come have lunch at the Annex Food Court at the library. We’d love to have ya.

Chris, this was such BS today! The fans are in an uproar over this and they should be! Since when can you go to a game and not yell at the refs! It pissed me off. I need you to come on my show Monday night so we can talk hoops and talk about this. What disrespect for two all time greats at our school! Never would have happened at Duke or UNC.

Shoulda pointed at the jerseys in the rafters on the way out! tell Tom and Nikki is said hello, and call me this week.

I heard you went Corchiani on them today. Good stuff #classiccorch

David Allen Great work guys. Love the fire you still have for the Pack.

Chris, do what u gotta do. We’ve been shorted 2 games in a row. Enough is enough.

Dude…. what in the world was THAT all about….. we got your back buddy! GO PACK!!!

Canes, Featured stories, The skinny

Canes’ Skinner awarded Raleigh Sports Person of the Year

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The Greater Raleigh Sports Council tonight announced that Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner has been named Capitol Broadcasting Company Sports Person of the Year. Skinner received the honor at the organization’s annual Evening of Champions event, held tonight at the RBC Center.

Skinner, 19, became the first player in Carolina’s franchise history to win 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). The Markham, Ont., native was tied for second among NHL rookies in power-play assists (12) and power-play points (18), and trailed only Eric Staal among Hurricanes skaters in goals and points. Skinner (5’11”, 193 lbs.) scored his 30th goal on April 6 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).

In January 2011, Skinner became the youngest All-Star in NHL history when he skated for Team Staal at the 2011 NHL All-Star Game at the RBC Center at the age of 18 years, 259 days, breaking the record set by Steve Yzerman (18 years, 267 days) in 1984. He made his NHL debut for the Hurricanes on Oct. 7, 2010, against the Minnesota Wild in Helsinki, Finland, and became the youngest player in franchise history to earn a point the next night. He became the youngest player in team history to score a goal when he beat Jonathan Bernier for his first NHL goal on Oct. 20 in Los Angeles. Skinner’s 31 goals ranked as the second-most by a rookie in franchise history, behind Sylvain Turgeon’s 40-goal rookie season in 1983-84.

The Carolina Hurricanes host the San Jose Sharks on Friday at the RBC Center.

Featured stories, The skinny, UNC

Heels miss threes and trail, hit threes and win

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North Carolina trailed by five at the half and by eight five minutes into the second half. But the Heels, who had missed their first eight three-point attempts, scratched out a 73-64 win at Miami after Harrison Barnes and Reggie Bullock got hot from outside.

Trailing 44-36, Barnes drained Carolina’s first three of the game with 15:13 left. Less than a minute later, Barnes converted an old-fashioned three-point play on a fastbreak to draw the Heels with a pair at 44-42.

P.J. Hairston tied it with a couple of free throws and another Barnes three from the left wing put the Heels on top with just over 13 minutes to play at 47-46.

It went back and forth over the next three minutes. But with the score tied at 53, the Heels went on a 10-2 run to get their biggest lead of the game up to that point at 63-55 with 6:27 left. A Barnes three following a John Henson block on the other end and a Bullock three from the right corner highlighted the run.

Miami got no closer than five the rest of the way.

For more on the game, please click here.

Canes, Featured stories, The skinny

Canes upset Montreal with big comeback

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The Carolina Hurricanes won one for the coach in Montreal. After trailing 3-2 going into the third period, the Canes struck three times to defeat Coach Kirk Muller’s former team. The 5-3 victory was Muller’s first against his old team and it took a gutsy effort by the Hurricanes who lost Tuomo Ruutu to injury early in the game. Eric Staal scored two goals, including the tying goal, while Jamie McBain scored the go-ahead goal late.

Canes color analyst Tripp Tracy said it was an especially big game for the Hurricanes who play seven of their next eight games at home. “This if more than just a victory,” Tracy said. “This is a victory that you put an asterisk next to that represents how hard this team is playing for each other and for the coach.”

Prior to the game, the Canadiens were 19-2 when leading after two periods plus they were on a four-game win streak.

Duke, Featured stories, The skinny, UNC

Duke’s Stroman makes first team, UNC’s Moran second team

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Duke junior right-hander Marcus Stroman was named to Baseball America’s 2012 Preseason All-America First Team while sophomore third baseman Colin Moran was named to the second team.

Stroman was one of four starting pitchers to land on the preseason first team. This is the second preseason selection for Stroman, who was also named to Perfect Game’s Preseason All-America First Team last month.

Baseball America ranked Stroman as the top 2012 MLB Draft prospect in the ACC and the ninth-best junior prospect in the country. John Manuel, Baseball America’s Editor in Chief, picked Stroman as his preseason pitcher of the year. Stroman was also selected as having the best fastball and breaking ball in the ACC. In the publication’s list of the Top 100 prospects, which includes college and high school draft-eligible players, Stroman checked in at number 22.

Stroman, a native of Medford, N.Y. (Patchogue-Medford), served as a starter and reliever for the Blue Devils in 2011, posting a 3-4 record and a team-best 2.80 ERA over eight starts and nine relief appearances. He ranked second in the nation last year with 12.60 strikeouts per nine innings, striking out a team-high 90 batters in 64.1 innings. Stroman, who also had a team-high four saves, held opponents to two or fewer runs in 15 of 17 appearances last season.

Stroman spent the 2011 summer on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, serving as the team’s closer. He went 4-for-4 in save opportunities and did not allow a hit in 8.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Stroman struck out 17 of the 27 batters he faced while issuing just one walk for the U.S. squad.

Duke opens the 2012 season with a three-game series at Texas Feb. 17-19. The Longhorns are ranked No. 13 in Baseball America’s preseason Top 25.

UNC’S Moran was named the Baseball America Freshman of the Year in 2011 after pacing the Tar Heels with a .335 average and tallied a league-high 71 RBI. Moran and the Tar Heels will open the 2012 season Friday when they host Xavier at 3 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium.

The preseason honor is the fourth for Moran in 2012 as he was also named to the Perfect Game, NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball preseason All-America teams.

Moran paced the Tar Heels a year ago en route to the College World Series, hitting .335 on the year with a league-high 71 RBI to go along with 20 doubles and nine home runs.

Baseball America annually polls major league scouting directors to vote on the team and make their selections based on performance, talent and professional potential.
The Tar Heels will open the 2012 season Friday, Feb. 17 when the Xavier Musketeers come to Chapel Hill for a three-game series.