The Carolina Hurricanes signed Swedish Hockey League most valuable player Derek Ryan on Monday.
The deal is a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level or $150,000 in the American Hockey League.
“Derek is a skilled, playmaking center,” said Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis. “He’s taken a bit of an unconventional path, but has earned a chance to play professionally in North America after having success at every level in Europe. We’re excited that he chose our organization.”
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The Spokane, Wash., native scored 15 goals and 45 assists in 55 games for Orebro this past season. Along with MVP honours, he also earned the forward of the year award.
Ryan, 28, spent four seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League before suiting up with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. With Spokane, he played two seasons under current Hurricanes coach Bill Peters. Ryan won a championship with the Golden Bears in his first year and in 2010-11 was named the CIS West MVP.
Post-CIS, Ryan spent three seasons in the Austrian League with Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan HC and VSV EC.
