RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Ron Hainsey on a one-year contract. The deal will pay Hainsey $2 million.

“Ron is an experienced, two-way defenseman,” said Rutherford. “He was very interested in joining our team this summer, and was patient as we waited for updated information about Joni Pitkanen’s injury. We are happy to be able to solidify our defense with a player of this caliber at this stage.”

Hainsey, 32, completed his 10th NHL season in 2012-13, earning 13 assists in 47 games for the Winnipeg Jets. The Bolton, CT, native led Winnipeg in blocked shots (123) and was second among Jets defensemen in assists (13).

Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Hainsey has totaled 34 goals and 158 assists (192 points) in 591 career NHL games with Montreal, Columbus, Atlanta and Winnipeg. He has led his teams in blocked shots in three of the past four seasons, ranking second in the other. A product of the United States National Team Development Program, Hainsey spent two seasons at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell prior to turning professional.