Wed Jul 2 12:45:12 2008

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Hurricanes sign Pitkanen

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Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes made it official Wednesday, signing defenseman Joni Pitkanen to a three-year contract.

Pitkanen, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday for forward Erik Cole, will make $3.5 million this season. The salary jumps to $4 million for 2009-10 and $4.5 million in the final year of the deal.

Known as a puck-moving defenseman, Pitkanen scored eight goals and had 26 points in 63 games for the Oilers a year ago after coming over in a deal from the Philadelphia Flyers last July 1.

The 24-year-old Finn has hit the net 33 times with 142 points over 269 games with the Flyers and Oilers in four NHL seasons.