Justin Faulk’s $29 Million Birthday Present

Source: Carolina Hurricanes Instagram/Twitter @NHLCanes

Just days after Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Justin Faulk celebrated his twenty-second birthday, he signed a $29 million, six-year extension with the Hurricanes.

Faulk’s annual pay will be broken down like this: $2.5 million in 2014-15, $3.5 million in 2015-16, $5.5 million in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and $6 million in 2018-19 and 2019-20, for an average annual salary-cap figure of $4.833 million.

Canes General Manager Jim Rutherford said, “Justin has proved to be among the best young defensemen in the league as confirmed by his selection to the U.S. Olympic team. He has been, and will continue to be the anchor of the Hurricanes’ defense for years to come.”

The South St. Paul, Minnesota native is in his third professional season.  In the 2013-2014 season, he has scored three goals and earned 21 assists (24 points) in 65 games played, and ranks second on the team in average ice time per game at 23:21.

During his time in the NHL, Faulk  (6’0”, 215 lbs.) has scored 16 goals and earned 45 assists (61 points) in 169 games with the Hurricanes. He has led all Hurricanes skaters in time on ice per game in each of the last two seasons, averaging 22:50 per game in 2011-12, and 24:00 per game in 2012-13. Faulk was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2011-12, becoming the eighth player in franchise history to receive that honour. At the 2012 All-Star Game in Ottawa, Faulk was one of 12 NHL rookies selected to participate in the Skills Competition.

In late January 2012, he represented the Hurricanes as one of 12 NHL rookies selected to take part in 2012 NHL All-Star Skills Competition in Ottawa. He turned professional in 2011 after helping his University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to the NCAA championship during his freshman season. Before that he was part of the United States National Team Development Program which has helped him to be in several international competitions.