Jackson Blake signs eight-year, $45-million contract with Carolina Hurricanes

GRAND FORKS It didn't take long for the Carolina Hurricanes to commit longterm to Jackson Blake.

The former UND forward, who still has a year left on his entry-level deal, signed an eight-year, $45-million extension with the Hurricanes on Thursday.

His new contract begins in 2026-27.

ADVERTISEMENT Blake scored 17 goals and tallied 34 points in 80 games during his rookie season with Carolina.

He had three goals and six points in 15 playoff games.

"Jackson had an outstanding rookie season, and we think he is just scratching the surface of the player he can be," Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky said.

"His tenaciousness on the puck and competitiveness match our teams culture and were excited about his future with our club." Blake has been a fast riser.

He won a state championship with Eden Prairie High School as a junior.

Later that spring, he won a United States Hockey League Clark Cup with the Chicago Steel.

Blake played at UND for two seasons from 2022-24, winning National Collegiate Hockey Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman and Player of the Year as a sophomore.

Blake tallied 60 points in 40 games as a sophomore and was a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

Blake signed with Carolina after that season and made his NHL debut in the spring.

The Hurricanes selected Blake in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and it's turning out to be one of the best picks in that draft class.

ADVERTISEMENT Blake has played more NHL games than the entire third round of that draft class combined.

He's also played more NHL games than all 115 players taken behind him combined.

The Hurricanes had Blake on their top line at times last season.

Carolina finished second in the Metropolitan Division.

The Hurricanes beat New Jersey and Washington to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but fell to eventual Stanley Cup-champion Florida in five games.

Largest UND contracts $98 million Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild $84 million Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks $64.4 million Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators $50.75 million Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks $46 million Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils $46 million T.J.

Oshie, Washington Capitals $45 million Jackson Blake, Carolina Hurricanes $40.95 million Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth.

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