RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Defenseman Aaron Ward signed a four-year deal to stay with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Ward had three goals, 11 assists and 74 penalty minutes in 79 games last season, his seventh in the NHL.

Carolina acquired Ward last year from the Detroit Red Wings for a 2002 second-round draft pick.

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