The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Chad LaRose to a two-year contract.
LaRose received a number of offers from other teams via the free agent market, but opted to return to Raleigh.
The deal will pay LaRose $1.5 million in 2009-10 and $1.9 million in 2010-11.
"Chad has grown into a key player for our franchise," said Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford. "He had his best year last season and is an important penalty killer and popular player in our locker room and with our fans."
LaRose, 27, established career highs in games played (81), goals (19) and points (31), and matched his career-best in assists (12) in 2008-09.
Originally signed by the Hurricanes as an undrafted free agent in August 2003, LaRose has totaled 37 goals and 48 assists (85 points) and 126 penalty minutes in 268 career NHL games with the Hurricanes.
