SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 01: Max McCormick #71 of the Seattle Kraken warms up before the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena on January 01, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
Max McCormick, a pending unrestricted free agent who has spent a substantial part of this past season as an impact point producer with the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League, signed a two-year extension with the Seattle Kraken on Monday with an average annual value worth $762,500.
The 30-year-old forward, who has 197 points in 382 games at the AHL level across five different teams, was acquired by the Kraken on a one-year deal last October and suited up in ten games for Seattle with a plus-one rating and eight shots on net.
He spent the rest of the year with Charlotte and bagged 13 goals and 29 points in 46 games with the Checkers, en route to the Atlantic Division title and first round bye in the Calder Cup Playoffs. They will open their run in the postseason with a second round series against the Bridgeport Islanders – New York’s AHL affiliate – in a best-of-five series that starts on Tuesday.
“Max is a valuable part of the leadership group in Charlotte as they begin their playoff run,” said Kraken general manager Ron Francis in a team statement.
“He impressed us with his play in Seattle and we are excited that he is returning to our organization for the next two years.”
McCormick’s contract, a two-way deal, will alter salary structure depending on if he reaches the Kraken roster next season or is with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who open play this fall as the Kraken AHL affiliate.
McCormick started the year hot around a call-up to the NHL level with points in six of his first eight games with Charlotte and made his Kraken debut on a Halloween Night, 3-1 defeat to the New York Rangers in Seattle. Upon returning to Charlotte in November, he bagged a goal in three straight road games.
The native of De Pere, Wis. has suited up in 93 career NHL games with Seattle, Carolina, and Ottawa.