| Terry Signs First NHL Contract
June 1st 2009 |
Some days are harder to forget than others. Chris Terry probably doesn’t remember his first time on skates, or even his first minor hockey game, but his first professional contract? That one will likely live on in the memory for a while.
Although it came as no surprise to Terry, it was made official Wednesday when the 20 year-old signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, the same team that drafted him 132nd overall in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The deal will pay Terry $60,000 at the minor-league level and $500,000 at the NHL level during the first year, and $65,000 per year in the minors and $550,000 per year at the NHL level during the second and third years of the contract. Terry will also receive a $225,000 signing bonus as a part of the contract.
“Chris had an excellent junior career with Plymouth where he posted impressive offensive numbers,” said Jason Karmanos, Carolina’s Vice President and Assistant General Manager. “He has shown that he can be a leader on and off the ice, and we look forward to him beginning his professional career.”
The excellent junior career Karmanos refers to includes an honour filled 2008-09 season. Terry finished as the Ontario Hockey League’s second-leading scorer with 94 points (39 goals, 55 assists) as the captain of the Plymouth Whalers, where he played on a line with fellow Varsity Elite Program member and 2008 OHL first round pick Tyler Seguin.
At season’s end, Terry was awarded the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s Humanitarian of the Year for his devotion to the Whalers’ Community Relations efforts, and he was the inaugural recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy, given by the OHL to the captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice. The Brampton, Ont., native totaled 114 goals and 175 assists (289 points) in 253 regular-season contests in his four seasons with the Whalers. Terry competed in two OHL All-Star Classics, was named the OHL Player of the Month two times and helped lead the Whalers to the OHL championship in 2007. He was named a 3rd Team All-Star in 2008-09.
Terry, who has been a member of the Elite Training Program at Varsity since its inauguration 5 years ago, didn’t even miss a day of training in spite of the momentous occasion and the temptation to celebrate the completion of the deal. To those who know him, it was no surprise. Terry’s success is due in no small part to his dedication and work ethic.
“Over the past five years,” said Terry just days after signing the contract, “Varsity Hockey has improved my fitness level to a point where I was able to sign my first pro contract. Varsity helped me prove to an NHL team that I am capable of making the jump to pro hockey not only on the ice but in the gym as well. I owe a lot to Varsity, especially Geoff [Schomogyi, Varsity’s Head of Strength and Conditioning] for making it this far in my career. Thanks Varsity.”
Congratulations Chris, from everyone at Varsity Hockey.
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