Hurricanes sign Smallman to ELC

Saint John Sea Dogs captain Spencer Smallman has signed three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team announced on Friday.

Smallman was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the 'Canes.

Carolina is one of the NHL's few revolutionary teams, posting actual contract details.

On the NHL level, the deal will pay Smallman $650,000 in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and $700,000 in 2019-20. On the AHL level, he will be paid $65,000 in 2017-18 and $70,000 in 2018-19 and 2019-20, and he receives a signing bonus of $225,000.

The overage forward has had a career year with the Sea Dogs, recording 30 goals and 49 assists in 60 games. His previous career highs were 23 goals and 33 assists, set in 2014-15.

In the first round of this year's playoffs, Smallman recorded three goals and two assists in four games. The captain scored a hat trick in Saint John's 9-2 Game 1 win over the Rimouski Oceanic.

Smallman has been particularly good in the month of March. He registered eight goals and three assists in seven regular season games during the month and then added three goals and two assists in four post-season contests.

"Spencer took a big step forward this season," said Hurricanes executive vice president and general manager Ron Francis. "He's been in a leadership role for his team for the last three years, and helped Saint John to the best record in the Quebec League this year."

Smallman will remain with the Sea Dogs for the rest of the season before presumably turning professional next season. He'll likely play in either the AHL or ECHL.

Earlier this month, the Hurricanes signed Sea Dogs goaltender Callum Booth.