RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -The Carolina Hurricanes signed general manager Jim Rutherford to a five-year contract Tuesday.

Rutherford recently completed his 13th season as Carolina's general manager and is the only person to hold that job since the franchise moved from Hartford, Conn., in 1997. Among current GMs, only New Jersey's Lou Lamoriello has a longer tenure with his team.

"Jim has been the face of the Hurricanes since the team's arrival in North Carolina," team owner Peter Karmanos Jr. said. "The franchise has seen continued growth and success under his leadership, and he has been regularly recognized as one of the best in the business."

Terms of the new deal were not available.

Under Rutherford, the Hurricanes have made two appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, winning the franchise's first Cup in 2006. The team has won the Southeast Division in three of the last seven seasons.

Rutherford is the longest-tenured general manager in franchise history, having been hired June 28, 1994.