Forward Brett Sutter, traded to the Hurricanes last season from the Calgary Flames, pleaded guilty Monday to disorderly conduct stemming from a November incident outside a Scottsdale, Ariz., nightspot.

Sutter, who played most of this past season for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, appeared in Scottsdale City Court, according to the Calgary Herald. He was fined $323.60 for the Nov. 11 incident, in which Sutter punched a cab driver. Sutter must return to the court Sept. 15 for a restitution hearing.

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford, reached Monday night, said he was not aware Sutter was to appear in court Monday.

"We were aware something was pending from last winter," Rutherford said. "It's important that it be taken care of properly in the legal system, and it sounds like it has."

Needing additional forward depth for a road back-to-back at Tampa Bay and Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday, the Hurricanes called Brett Sutter up from Charlotte (AHL) today.

Sutter, a cousin of Hurricanes forward Brandon Sutter and the son of former Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter, was acquired in the Ian White trade with the Flames on Nov. 17. He has 14 points in 33 games with the Checkers and has played in 18 NHL games in his career, including four with the Flames earlier this season.

Ian White’s minus-10 is not an indication of his ability to play defense; it’s a reflection of the underachieving team he played on as much as anything.

At his best, he’s a useful two-way defenseman despite his size -- he’s listed at 5-foot-10 -- and he played two full seasons under Paul Maurice with the Toronto Maple Leafs, so both player and coach should know what they’re getting into.