The Canes have signed forward Drayson Bowman to a two-year contract, the team announced today.
The deal will pay Bowman $600,000 on the NHL level or $105,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2012-13. In the second season, he will have a one-way contract that will pay him $600,000.
Bowman, 23, split the 2011-12 season between Carolina and the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). With the Hurricanes, Bowman had NHL career highs in goals (6), assists (7), points (13) and games played (37), earning the majority of his NHL playing time in the second half of the season. He added 13 goals and 13 assists (26 points) in 42 games with Charlotte.
Drafted by Carolina in the third round, 72nd overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Bowman has scored eight goals and has eight assists (16 points) in 69 career NHL games.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at