RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis , Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Brad Malone on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Malone $600,000 for the 2014-15 season and $700,000 for the 2015-16 season.

“Brad is a big, physical forward,” said Francis. “He can play either center or wing and helps improve our team’s depth up front.”

Malone, 25, appeared in 32 regular season games for the Colorado Avalanche in 2013-14, totaling three goals, two assists (5 points) and 23 penalty minutes. The Miramichi, N.B., native also made his Stanley Cup playoff debut, skating in six of the Avalanche’s seven games during their opening-round series against Minnesota. Malone (6’2”, 207 lbs.) tallied 15 points (8g, 7a) and 75 penalty minutes in 35 games for Lake Erie of the American Hockey League (AHL) before being recalled by Colorado for the balance of the season on March 10.

Colorado’s fifth selection, 105th overall, in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Malone has totaled four goals, five assists (9 points) and 39 penalty minutes in 54 career NHL games with the Avalanche. He has played 165 career AHL games with Lake Erie, notching 29 goals, 46 assists (75 points) and 263 penalty minutes. Prior to turning professional, Malone played four seasons for the University of North Dakota, helping the Fighting Sioux capture the WCHA regular-season and playoff championships and reach the Frozen Four during his senior year.