Rourke Signs

[nccanes]

HURRICANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH ALLAN ROURKE
KEN PRESTON

Defenseman saw first NHL action in 2003-04
RALEIGH, N.C. (July30, 2004) – Jim Rutherford, President / General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Allan Rourke on a one-year contract. As per club policy, no other terms were announced.
"Allan is a maturing defenseman who showed last year that he can play at this level," said Rutherford. "He brings youth and depth to our organization."

Rourke, 24, saw his first NHL action in 2003-04. In 25 NHL games, Rourke scored one goal, added two assists (3 points) and totaled 22 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 28, 2003, against San Jose before joining the Hurricanes for good on Feb. 12, and playing in 24 of the team's final 27 contests. Rourke (6' 2", 215 lbs.) also played in 45 games last season with Carolina's top minor-league affiliate, Lowell of the American Hockey League, scoring five goals and adding nine assists (14 points) with 45 penalty minutes.

The Hurricanes acquired Rourke from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Harold Druken and Jeff Daw on May 29, 2003. Toronto drafted the Mississauga, Ont., native in the sixth round, 154th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Following four seasons with Kitchner of the Ontario Hockey League, Rourke turned professional prior to the 2001-02 season and played three years with St. John's, the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate. In 1999-00, his final year of junior hockey, Rourke finished the season with 74 points (31g, 43a), the second-best points total for an OHL defenseman that year, helping earn him a spot on the OHL's second All-Star Team.

[Canesluver]

Man! They are trying to speed things up before the deadline, aren't they?

Good news! Thanks!

[Stormbringer]

Good news indeed...really liked what I saw from Allan last season. Looking forward to hopefully seeing more. :spin:

[oneillfan92]

I'm glad we signed him. I liked Allan last season!!!! :beatup: :D

[Mona]

I like Allan too.. hurray!! :spin:

[nccanes]

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
NHL lockout puts Rourke's hockey career on hold


CHRIS CLAY
Sep 24, 2004

You couldn't blame Mississauga's Allan Rourke if he feels extremely frustrated with the National Hockey League (NHL) lockout.
After spending parts of four seasons toiling in the minors, the strapping Erin Mills defenceman finally made his NHL debut last year, appearing in 25 games with the Carolina Hurricanes. He recently signed a new one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes. Terms of the deal were not released.

While Rourke posted modest totals last season, one goal and two assists with 22 penalty minutes, the former Kitchener Ranger scoring star focused on playing positionally sound defence in his NHL debut last October.

"I think of myself as a two-way defenceman," said Rourke, 24. "When I got called up, they told me the first priority is defence and the offence will come."

In his final season with Kitchener, Rourke had 31 goals and 43 assists in 67 games. He was named the most improved player and best offensive defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League's Western Conference coaches poll.

In the 1998 Entry Draft, Rourke was selected in the sixth round, 154th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He amassed 23 goals, 47 assists and 133 penalty minutes in three seasons with Toronto's minor league affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs.

Rourke was shipped to Carolina during the 2002-'03 season for promising sniper Harold Druken and Jeff Daw.

"Toronto was the team our family watched and it was huge to get drafted by them," said the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder. "I would have loved to play even one game for them, but Carolina wanted me. Trades and injuries opened up a spot for me and it was nice to have the chance (to play in the NHL)."

The former John Fraser Secondary School student plans on earning a roster spot come training camp.

"The first step is to make the team by playing solid hockey and showing them I deserve to be here. If I work hard, I know I can stick," he said.

As a young defenceman surrounded by veterans, Rourke paid close attention to Carolina stalwarts like future Hall Of Fame pivot Ron Francis and grizzled defensive leaders Sean Hill and Glen Wesley.

"I was in awe sitting in a room with Francis, but I kept my mouth shut and learned," said Rourke, who spent six seasons with the AAA Mississauga Reps.

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS

[nccanes]

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
NHL lockout puts Rourke's hockey career on hold


CHRIS CLAY
Sep 24, 2004

You couldn't blame Mississauga's Allan Rourke if he feels extremely frustrated with the National Hockey League (NHL) lockout.
After spending parts of four seasons toiling in the minors, the strapping Erin Mills defenceman finally made his NHL debut last year, appearing in 25 games with the Carolina Hurricanes. He recently signed a new one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes. Terms of the deal were not released.

While Rourke posted modest totals last season, one goal and two assists with 22 penalty minutes, the former Kitchener Ranger scoring star focused on playing positionally sound defence in his NHL debut last October.

"I think of myself as a two-way defenceman," said Rourke, 24. "When I got called up, they told me the first priority is defence and the offence will come."

In his final season with Kitchener, Rourke had 31 goals and 43 assists in 67 games. He was named the most improved player and best offensive defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League's Western Conference coaches poll.

In the 1998 Entry Draft, Rourke was selected in the sixth round, 154th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He amassed 23 goals, 47 assists and 133 penalty minutes in three seasons with Toronto's minor league affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs.

Rourke was shipped to Carolina during the 2002-'03 season for promising sniper Harold Druken and Jeff Daw.

"Toronto was the team our family watched and it was huge to get drafted by them," said the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder. "I would have loved to play even one game for them, but Carolina wanted me. Trades and injuries opened up a spot for me and it was nice to have the chance (to play in the NHL)."

The former John Fraser Secondary School student plans on earning a roster spot come training camp.

"The first step is to make the team by playing solid hockey and showing them I deserve to be here. If I work hard, I know I can stick," he said.

As a young defenceman surrounded by veterans, Rourke paid close attention to Carolina stalwarts like future Hall Of Fame pivot Ron Francis and grizzled defensive leaders Sean Hill and Glen Wesley.

"I was in awe sitting in a room with Francis, but I kept my mouth shut and learned," said Rourke, who spent six seasons with the AAA Mississauga Reps.

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS

[Turbulence]

I really like Allan...he has the potential to be a very good #3 or 4 defenseman and power-play quarterback....heck, last year he was one of the only people who could play competantly on the blue line on the powerplay. I really like how the D is shaping up...in the future we could see Richmond, Fast, Rourke, Trojovsky, and St. Jacques leading a young, talented blue line. And Rourke could be the central pivot in all of that...

[Turbulence]

I really like Allan...he has the potential to be a very good #3 or 4 defenseman and power-play quarterback....heck, last year he was one of the only people who could play competantly on the blue line on the powerplay. I really like how the D is shaping up...in the future we could see Richmond, Fast, Rourke, Trojovsky, and St. Jacques leading a young, talented blue line. And Rourke could be the central pivot in all of that...

[hyena]

i feel sorry for these young guys that are getting screwed because of this lockout...

[hyena]

i feel sorry for these young guys that are getting screwed because of this lockout...

[corylav]

"promising sniper Harold Druken"

:huh: :lol: :lol:

The worst part of this is that he's on a two-way contract ... so not only is he in the minors, but he's getting paid like it, too.

[corylav]

"promising sniper Harold Druken"

:huh: :lol: :lol:

The worst part of this is that he's on a two-way contract ... so not only is he in the minors, but he's getting paid like it, too.