Cole Returns to Hurricanes

RALEIGH, NC — Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has re-acquired left wing Erik Cole, a former Clarkson standout, from the Edmonton Oilers, as part of a three-team trade that also includes the Los Angeles Kings. The Hurricanes dealt right wing Justin Williams to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for center Patrick O’Sullivan and a second-round pick (acquired by Los Angeles from Calgary) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Carolina then traded O’Sullivan and its own second-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to Edmonton for Cole and Edmonton’s fifth-round pick in the 2009 Draft.

“Erik was an important player for our team for a long time, and will be an integral part of our push for the playoffs,” said Rutherford. “We thank Justin for all he has done for us. It is difficult to part ways with Justin because of what he has meant to our organization. The last few years have been tough on him and our team with his injuries, and we wish him all the best in Los Angeles.”

Cole, 30, has netted 16 goals and earned 11 assists (27 points) in 63 games with the Edmonton Oilers this season. The Oswego, NY, native leads all Oilers skaters in hits this season with 134, skating in all 63 games for Edmonton and averaging 17:04 of ice time per game. His 16 goals rank third on the team. In 481 career NHL games with Carolina and Edmonton, Cole has notched 307 points (145g, 162a) and 469 penalty minutes.

Originally drafted by Carolina in the third round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Cole totaled 129 goals and 151 assists (280 points) and 406 penalty minutes with the Hurricanes from 2001-2008, prior to being dealt to Edmonton in exchange for Joni Pitkanen on July 1, 2008. He notched nine points (6g, 3a) and 30 penalty minutes in 25 Stanley Cup playoff games for the Hurricanes, helping Carolina reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002 and win the Stanley Cup in 2006. Cole is fourth in goals scored by Hurricanes players since the team relocated to North Carolina with 129, and ranks eighth in games played (418), sixth in points (280), seventh in assists (151), fourth in penalty minutes (406), sixth in power-play goals (33), third in shorthanded goals (7) and second in hat tricks (4) in a Hurricanes uniform.