RALEIGH, NC - Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired forward Connor Brickley from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Brody Sutter. Brickley will report to the Hurricanes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Charlotte Checkers' training camp.

"Connor saw his first NHL action last season after scoring 22 goals in the AHL the season before," said Francis. "We look forward to seeing his continued development as his career progresses."

Brickley, 24, made his NHL debut on Oct. 10, 2015, as part of the Panthers' opening-night roster. He played in 23 games with Florida in 2015-16, scoring one goal, earning four assists (five points) and averaging 8:43 of ice time per game. The Everett, MA, native also skated in 45 games with the Panthers' AHL affiliate Portland Pirates in 2015-16, notching 12 goals and earning 15 assists (27 points).

Brickley (6'0", 203 lbs.) has scored 35 goals and earned 41 assists (76 points) in 126 career AHL regular-season games with Florida's AHL affiliates in San Antonio and Portland. He made his professional debut at the end of the 2013-14 season, and notched 22 goals and earned 25 assists (47 points) in 73 games with San Antonio in 2014-15, his first full professional season. Prior to turning pro, Brickley played four seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Vermont. He represented the United States at the 2010 World Under-18 Championship, as well as the 2012 World Junior Championship. The Panthers drafted Brickley in the second round, 50th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.