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Yelle signs with Hurricanes

Print | Comments () Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff August 19, 2009 12:40 PM

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Stephane Yelle, the veteran center who spent last season with the Bruins, has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team that eliminated Boston last postseason.

Yelle, 35, signed a one-year, $500,000 contract with Carolina, which acquired another former Bruin, Aaron Ward, earlier this offseason.

It became unlikely that Yelle would return to the Bruins after they signed similarly skilled center Steve Begin to a one-year deal.

“Stephane is a proven winner,” said Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford. “He adds depth and experience . . . at the center position, and he will contribute to the penalty kill.”

Yelle is entering his 14th NHL season, and the Hurricanes will be his fourth NHL team. In 2008-09, he had 7 goals and 11 assists in 77 regular-season games.

In his career, the defensive stalwart has scored 92 goals and earned 165 assists in 921 career regular-season games with Colorado, Calgary, and the Bruins.

Yelle was a member of the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup championship teams in 1996 and 2001.