Wednesday, July 29, 2009

KABERLE IS NOT HURRICANE ANY MORE


The Carolina Hurricanes are parting ways with the player who scored the goal that won them the Stanley Cup in 2006.

The Hurricanes said Tuesday they have bought out the remaining year on the contract of defenseman Frantisek Kaberle, who would have made $2.2 million. Kaberle will now collect almost $1.5 million over the next two seasons.



FRANTISEK KABERLE. 2006 STANLEY CUP WINNER

The 35-year-old Kaberle had the winning goal in Game 7 of the Cup finals against Edmonton in 2006. He had nine goals and 73 assists with Carolina from 2005-2009.

Kaberle had been the subject of trade rumors and was placed on waivers last season. His exit comes after the Hurricanes reshaped their defense by signing Andrew Alberts to a two-year deal and re-acquiring Aaron Ward from Boston.

When Frantisek Kaberle's younger brother Tomas stepped into the Toronto Maple Leafs line up and started turning heads as a solid puck moving defenseman, NHL clubs took a longer look at him. Frantisek Kaberle was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings shortly after Tomas completed his rookie season and, like his younger brother, he stepped right into the NHL without much difficulty.

In 2004-05 due to the NHL lockout Kaberle skated with Modo of the Swedish league prior to competing for his hometown club in Klando of the Czech league. When NHL play resumed, he returned for his for first full season as a Hurricane and produced his most offensive season at the time tallying 44 points. Heading into the playoffs healthy, Kaberle suited up for each of Carolina's 25 playoff games. In game seven Kaberle scored the game-winning goal which granted the Carolina Hurricanes the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Throughout his playing career, Kaberle has represented the Czech Republic at the 1993World Junior Championships as well as the 2006 Winter Olympics and is a seven-time member of its World Championship team (1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005)

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