Hockey transactions
Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:
National Hockey League
CAROLINA HURRICANES-Signed F Chad LaRose to a one-year contract.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Promoted Mark Kelley to director of amateur scouting.
COLORADO AVALANCHE-Named Dave Barr assistnat coach.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS-Signed Ken Hitchcock, coach, to a three-year contact extension, through the 2011-12 season.
FLORIDA PANTHERS-Re-signed RW Anthony Stewart. Named Jim Hulton assistant coach and Jamie Pringle video coach.
MONTREAL CANADIENS-Signed D Josh Gorges to a three-year contract.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS-Agreed to terms with F Josh Gratton on a one-year contract.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS-Signed D Brendan Witt to a two-year contract extension, through the 2010-2011 season.
PHOENIX COYOTES-Named Thomas Steen professional scout.
SAN JOSE SHARKS-Re-signed D Christian Ehrhoff to a three-year contract.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING-Signed D Andrew Hutchinson to a two-year contract. Named Tom Kurvers assistant general manager, Jim Hammett director of player personnel, Greg Malone professional scout and Rick Tocchet, Wes Walz and Cap Raeder assistant coaches.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS-Signed C Brooks Laich to a three-year contract.
American Hockey League
IOWA-Announced it name will be the Iowa Chops.
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS-Named Andrew Christmann corporate sale account executive, Amber Greeley group ticket sales account executive and Chris Kroeze accounting assistant.
HARTFORD WOLF PACK-Exercised their contract option for F Jordan Owens for next season.
SYRACUSE CRUNCH-Announced Columbus (NHL) signed D Andrey Plekhanov to a two-year contract and D Clay Wilson and LW John Vigilante to one-year contracts.
ECHL
READING ROYALS-Announced the team will be affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and Toronto Marlies (AHL).
