NHL: Hurricanes sign Ward to three-year deal

Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes signed goaltender Cam Ward to a three-year contract on Thursday.

The deal will pay the young netminder $2 million next season, $2.5 million in 2008-09 and $3.5 million in 2009-10.

The 23-year-old Ward wrapped up his second year in the league this past season and set career highs in games played (60), wins (30), goals-against average (2.93), save percentage (.897) and shutouts (2).

"Cam is one of the cornerstones of our team moving forward," said Carolina president and general manager Jim Rutherford. "He has already built an impressive resume for himself at a young age, and we believe he is going to be one of the elite goaltenders in the National Hockey League for a long time."

In his rookie campaign in 2005-06, Ward helped guide the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player for the playoffs. The Hurricanes, though, missed the playoffs this year and became the first team to fail to qualify for the postseason the year after winning the Stanley Cup since New Jersey in 1995-96.

In 88 career games, Ward is 44-29-8 with a 3.16 GAA and .892 save percentage.