Carolina Hires New Front Exec

The Carolina Hurricanes hired Doug Piper as its executive vice president of business operations Wednesday.

Piper, a longtime executive with the Edmonton Oilers, will oversee the team's marketing efforts and ticket sales, areas that the Hurricanes have had trouble with since the club moved from Hartford three years ago.

Carolina, ranked in the bottom third in NHL attendance last season, slashed ticket prices for the upcoming season in an effort to boost sales.

``Doug Piper brings a wealth of experience to the Carolina Hurricanes' day-to-day business operations,'' said Jim Cain, the team's president and chief operating officer. ``His success is unparalleled in helping teams in the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association grow and prosper.''

Before joining the Oilers, Piper was president and chief executive officer of SRO Partners, a sports marketing consultant company. He also worked for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz.