The Hurricanes, as expected, have agreed to terms with defenseman Jamie McBain on a three-year, entry-level contract.
McBain, 21, will join the Albany River Rats (AHL) for the remainder of the 2008-09 season.
“Jamie had an outstanding season at Wisconsin, serving as an alternate captain and leading the team in scoring,” said Jason Karmanos, vice president and assistant general manager. “The time is right for him to ake the next step in his development and begin his professional career.”
McBain’s contract will begin with the 2009-10 season, and will pay him an average of $600,000 per year at the NHL level, $62,500 at the minor-league level and a $255,000 signing bonus. The Hurricanes selected McBain in the second round, 63rd overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
McBain was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association 2008-09 player of the year, leading the Wisconsin Badgers and ranking second among NCAA Division I defensemen in scoring with 37 points (7g, 30a). The Edina, MN, native finishes his three-year collegiate career having scored 15 goals and earned 64 assists (79 points) in 111 games with the Badgers.
McBain, 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds, represented the United States at the 2007 and 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships, helping Team USA capture the bronze medal in 2007. He is one of 10 NCAA Division I players to be selected as a finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate hockey player.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
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McBain
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 14:13 — vdotuHere is what is going to happen per the badgers press conference:
Mcbain to play 10 games with the rats, come back and finish up the school semester at UW
then next season it will be fulltime at the AHL, but will get some consideration for the canes.
then the following season it will be a more significant shot at the NHL..
of course if he is as good in the AHL as at the UW, then he may get a better consideration.
I'm probably reading too much into this
Thu, 03/26/2009 - 18:15 — Biff_BeersMcBain could have stayed in school another year, but we dangled a contract offer in front of him now. Does this mean we think we will need to replace some D-men in Albany next season? My first guess, and it is a wild one, is that we are not going to make a strong offer to retain Seidenberg after this season. One of Carson, Conboy, Rodney, Borer, or even McBain might be able to fill Seidenberg's niche at a lower price.
Hey Biff
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 11:36 — esteban1949i have to agree that in his college career...he really did all he could do...this is a "logical" next step for him. And he can only help the rats as and with what injuries they do have...even if he only gets a small amout of ice time between now and the end of the Rats AHL season...it will be to his advantage..also do go and read the latest postings about him from Phil Janack's blog...and hopefully you'll see what i was getting at as a fill in because of the injury lists...I am looking forward to watching the Canes tomorrow night as we go out and try to box in the devils again...have a good week end sir...
Go Canes & Rats !!
Don't read too much into it.
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 08:40 — rocheccwYes, he had another year of eligibilty, but he had done everything one can do to develop in college. He was a man among boys. 2nd in scoring among defensmen, Hobey Baker top ten finalist, and WCHA’s Player of the Year. Nothing left to prove at the college level.
Some thought he would leave the badgers after his sophomore season, but he return. This is his choice, and it is the right one. Next year he should get a chance to play an 80 game season in the AHL instead of a 30 some games season in college. Excellent signing.
Depth & choices are always a good thing.
yes sir...
Thu, 03/26/2009 - 16:11 — esteban1949he should be able to beef up the D there in Albany...and get the "experience" that he will surely need ...Good catch ! Thanks Chip !!
Go Canes & Rats !!!
Good Signing
Thu, 03/26/2009 - 13:47 — rocheccwAdds depth to our future D, and he can get his feet wet in the AHL to close out the season.