"The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up another free agent forward, re-signing Chad LaRose to a two-year deal.

LaRose will make $1.5 million US next season and $1.9 million US in 2010-11, the Hurricanes announced Thursday.

The club earlier re-signed free agents Eric Cole and Jussi Jokinen to two-year deals.

LaRose, 27, put up career-high numbers last season with 81 games played, 19 goals and 31 points. He matched his career-high assists at 12.

"Chad has grown into a key player for our franchise," president and general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "He had his best year last season and is an important penalty killer and popular player in our locker room and with our fans."

A Fraser, Mich., native, LaRose last season ranked fifth overall on the team with 19 goals.

During the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference final, LaRose was second on the team in scoring with 11 points and ranked third with seven assists.

He joined the Hurricanes as an undrafted free agent in August, 2003 and has since scored 85 points in 268 career games with Carolina."