RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes signed former Pittsburgh defenceman Josef Melichar to a US$1 million, one-year contract Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Melichar had eight assists and 74 penalty minutes in 50 games last season with Linkoping of the Swedish Elite League.

"Josef is a big, strong and experienced defensive defenceman who will be a shut-down player for us," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a release.

Melichar, a six-foot-two 220-pounder, played in 310 games with Pittsburgh from 2000-07. He had his best offensive season in 2005-06, when he had three goals and 12 assists.