RALEIGH, NC -- Ron Francis, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development for the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with Clarkson forward Nick Dodge. The contract will begin with the 2008-09 season.

Dodge, 21, completed his senior season at Clarkson University of the ECAC Hockey League in 2007-08, ranking fourth among Golden Knights skaters with 26 points (12g, 14a) in the team's 39 games. The Oakville, Ont., native was named the ECACHL's Best Defensive Forward for 2007-08 as he captained Clarkson to the regular-season conference title and its second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. Dodge (5'10", 175 lbs.), who was named a 2007 RBK Second Team All-American and ECACHL First-Team All-Star, finishes his collegiate career with 52 goals and 72 assists (124 points) in 150 games with the Golden Knights. The Hurricanes selected Dodge in the sixth round, 183rd overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Dodge's two-year contract includes a $60,000 signing bonus, and will pay him $475,000 in the first season, and $500,000 in the second season at the NHL level, and $50,000 in the first year, and $55,000 in the second year at the minor-league level.