Raleigh, N.C. — Curt Johnson, a native of Raleigh and a former soccer player at North Carolina State University, is the new director of marketing for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Johnson comes to the National Hockey League champions from the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer. He was the team’s general manager for the past seven years.

With the Hurricanes, Johnson will be responsible for marketing initiatives, game-night promotions, youth hockey, and other programs.

Before joining the Kansas City franchise, Johnson was vice president and general manager of the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League.

Johnson is a 1991 graduate of NCSU with a degree in communications. He was a four-year starter for the Wolfpack soccer team. Johnson graduated from Ravenscroft High School.