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).

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 [email protected] 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)

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.

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.

Doug Warf, Senior Director of Marketing for the Carolina Hurricanes and Executive Director of the Kids ‘N Community Foundation, today announced that Hurricanes rookie defenseman Justin Faulk will be on hand at the Carolina Ale House in Cary (2240 Walnut St.) on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., to promote the Paper Hearts and Magnet Campaign.

While at the Carolina Ale House, Faulk will join Raleigh’s Capital City Crew at the team’s end-of-year banquet, hosted by the Carolina Ale House. He will then help promote the Paper Hearts and Magnets Campaign by selling paper hearts and magnets to restaurant guests. This portion of the event is open to the public.

This marks the fifth year that the Carolina Ale House has partnered with the Kids ‘N Community Foundation for this fundraising campaign. The paper hearts, which can be signed by the purchasing patron, cost $1 and are hung in each respective location. Newly designed “Canes Candy Hearts” magnets, are $3 each and can be kept by the purchaser. For a list of Carolina Ale House locations, please visit www.carolinaalehouse.com. The 2011 Paper Hearts Campaign raised $13,009 for the Kids ‘N Community Foundation.

Carolina Ale House, established in Raleigh, NC in 1999, is a high-energy, sports-themed restaurant concept. The group currently operates 18 locations; six locations in the Triangle, locations in Wilmington, Fayetteville, Greenville and Charlotte, NC, a small outlet in Terminal 2 of RDU International Airport, four locations in South Carolina, one in Georgia and two in South Florida. The concept is also expanding to Jacksonville, NC, Glenwood South in Raleigh and Doral, FL in 2012.

The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Montreal Canadiens tonight at the Bell Centre for the final game of a three-game road trip (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports Carolinas HD, Hurricanes Radio Network). The Hurricanes will host the San Jose Sharks on Friday, Feb. 17, in their next game at the RBC Center.

– News release