RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Defenseman Steve Halko is back with the Carolina Hurricanes after signing a one-year deal Monday.

The Hurricanes traded Halko, 28, and a fourth-round pick in this year's draft to the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 5 for defenseman Sean Hill.

St. Louis bought out Halko's contract after last season, and he became a free agent.

"We're real happy to get Steve back," said Jason Karmanos, Hurricanes assistant general manager. "He's a known quantity to us. He has NHL experience. This move gives us more depth on defense."

Halko was a 10th-round draft pick of the Hartford Whalers in 1992. He played in five games with Carolina last season and had one assist.

He was assigned to Worcester of the AHL by the Blues on Dec. 13, 2001. In 43 games for the IceCats, Halko had three goals, five assists and 15 penalty minutes. He had one assist in three playoff games for Worcester.

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