Brian Dumoulin Signs Three-Year Pact with Carolina Hurricanes

Call it a double whammy for Boston College.

Hours after BC junior forward Chris Kreider signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers, classmate Brian Dumoulin did the same with the Carolina Hurricanes. Both players gave up their fourth and final year of college eligibility after leading the Eagles to the 2012 NCAA championship on Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Ferris State in Tampa, Fla.

Dumoulin, who was drafted in the second round (51st overall) by Carolina in 2009, finished his college career with 11 goals and 72 assists for 83 points, and was also posted a plus-90 rating. He was also a first team All-America selection on defense as both a sophomore and a junior, and one of 10 Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists as a junior.

He signed a three-year deal with the Hurricanes.

“Brian is a big, puck-moving defenseman who achieved at a high level throughout his time at Boston College,” said Carolina Director of Hockey Operations and Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis at the Hurricanes web site. “His success there speaks for itself, and it is important for his continued development that he now begins his professional career.”

With Carolina not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Dumoulin has been assigned to their minor-league affiliate in Charlotte (AHL). He will be paid $67,500 at the American League level, and could earn as much as $800,000 by playing in the NHL in the final year of his contract.

A 6'4", 210-pound native of Biddeford, Maine, Dumoulin had a goal and 22 points as a freshman in helping BC to the 2010 NCAA title, and had a three-assist game in a national semifinal victory over Miami (Ohio) in Detroit. As a sophomore, he recorded a career-high 30 assists and 30 points, and as a junior notched a career-high eight goals to go along with 21 assists.

A solid defender and efficient skater with superb puck-moving skills, a deceptive shot and an exceedingly long reach that help him to disarm opposing puck carriers, Dumoulin registered just 48 penalty minutes in his three years with the Eagles. Four of his goals came on the power play, and three were game-winners.

He tallied the final point of his BC career with an assist on Paul Carey's game-winning goal in the national final against Ferris State, with Carey tipping home Dumoulin's wrist shot from the left point on a first-period power play. In nine career NCAA tournament contests, Dumoulin notched a goal and four assists, with the goal coming in BC's 6-1 Frozen Four semifinal win over Minnesota on Thursday.

Dumoulin, who starred with the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs prior to enrolling at BC, also helped the Eagles to three consecutive Beanpot Tournament titles and three straight Hockey East Association tournament crowns. He also skated in the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping the U.S. to a bronze medal in Buffalo.

Dumoulin is expected to join the AHL's Charlotte Checkers for their Friday game at Peoria, and could be with them well into the Calder Cup playoffs.