“Brody played well for Charlotte last season despite missing two months with an injury,” said Francis. “He brings a good skill level and is a big body at center ice.”

Sutter, 23, completed his third full professional season in 2014-15, scoring 12 goals and earning 13 assists (25 points) in 45 games with Carolina’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. The Viking, Alb., native made his NHL debut on Oct. 16 at Madison Square Garden against the NY Rangers, and played in four games with Carolina last season. He missed 26 consecutive AHL games (11/15-1/13) with a lower-body injury, but still finished the season tied for fifth among Checkers skaters in goals (12), and seventh in points (25). The Hurricanes drafted Sutter (6’5”, 203 lbs.) in the seventh round, 193rd overall, in the 2011 NHL Draft. He has scored 24 goals and earned 35 assists (59 points) in 141 career AHL regular-season games with Charlotte.