The Charlotte Checkers have signed former Hurricanes right wing Chad LaRose to an AHL deal.
LaRose, 32, spent parts of three seasons in the ECHL and AHL before breaking into the NHL and becoming part of the Stanley Cup-winning team in 2006. The 5-foot-10, 181-pound LaRose has played 508 games in his NHL career over eight seasons, all with the Hurricanes, accumulating 180 points (85g, 95a) and 286 penalty minutes.
The undrafted Michigan native has also appeared in 125 career AHL games with the Lowell Lock Monsters, most recently in the 2005-06 season, totaling 83 points (41g, 42a) and 71 penalty minutes. LaRose has not played at any level since posting four points in 35 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
“For us, he’ll be a top player," Checkers coach Jeff Daniels told CarolinaHurricanes.com. "He’s a guy that has scored at the NHL level.
“I think we’re getting a hungry player. We’ve got a guy who’s going to play with a purpose and show not only Carolina, but all of the NHL, that he’s still a young guy and still has a lot of hockey left in him. He’s going to need to prove that he still has it, and I’m sure it will take some time to get the timing in game situations back, but he’s a guy that competes. He’s hungry, and he wants to get back to the next level.”
His journey back to the NHL will begin in Charlotte, where he will bring a veteran presence to a very young squad.
"The way he can lead by example, the way he works, his personality, the way he prepares – he learned the way to train and all that from Roddy (Brid'Amour) over the years – now he can be an example to the young kids coming up," said Daniels.
“The way we’re shaping up, we’re going to be a little younger this year than in years past. A player like Rosey can lead by example and show guys what it takes to get to the next level.”
