Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Jay Harrison to a three-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season Tuesday.

The deal will pay him $1.5 million per season, starting in 2013.

Harrison set career highs with nine goals and 14 assists in 72 games for Carolina last year.

"Jay has developed into a consistent, steadying presence for our defense," Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He is capable of providing both physicality and offense, and we are happy to now have him under contract for the next four seasons."

Harrison has tallied 13 goals, 28 assists and 200 penalty minutes over 202 career games with Toronto and Carolina.

The Sports Network