The Carolina Hurricanes announced Wednesday the club had signed forward Patrick Dwyer to a two-year, $1.8 million contract extension. The contract, which starts at the beginning of the 2013-14 season, will pay Dwyer $900,000 per season.
"Patrick has been an excellent fit for our organization and plays an important role for our team," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "He is one of our top penalty killers and provides speed for our forward lines."
Dwyer, 29, had five goals and seven assists in 73 games last season; two of his goals came while the Hurricanes were shorthanded. He was second among Hurricanes forwards in penalty-killing ice time per game at 1:59 and in blocked shots with 62. His 129 hits were third on the team among all players.
"[Be a] sound defensive hockey player, whether it’s third line or fourth line," Dwyer said describing his role to the team's website. "Be a sound penalty killer, and help give the Eric Staals, the Jordan Staals and the guys like that rests on the PK so when it is five-on-five or a power play, they have the energy and don’t have to kill penalties. And when it’s my turn to go out there, just try and create some energy."
A 2002 fourth-round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers, Dwyer has 21 goals and 22 assists in 224 NHL games, all with the Hurricanes, who signed him as a free agent in July 2006.
"When it comes down to it, you want to play in a spot, but at the same time, your family has to be happy and comfortable where they’re at," he said on the website. "It's an area [my wife and kids] love and enjoy, and it weighed heavily on our decision."
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