Munich, Germany - The Berlin Eisbären of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) have signed Carolina Hurricanes winger Erik Cole for the remainder of the 2004-05 season. Although the 25-year-old agreed on a one-year NHL deal with the Canes on July 26, he is reportedly willing to spend the whole season in Berlin regardless of the NHL's lockout status. According to an Eisbären press release, legal questions surrounding the contract were cleared up Thursday.

In Berlin, Cole will be re-united with former Cincinnati Cyclones teammate Stefan Ustorf.

Cole is coming off the best season of his three-year NHL career. In 2003-04, he played in 80 games with Carolina, establishing career highs with 18 goals and 42 points.

A native of Oswego, New York and product of Clarkson University, Cole had 14 goals and 27 points in 53 games in the 2002-03 season before breaking his left leg.

In his stellar rookie season, Cole was a vital member of the team that reached the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals. He had six goals and nine points for the Canes in that postseason run.

The 71st overall pick in the 1998 draft, Cole has produced 48 goals and 61 assists in 214 NHL games, all with the Hurricanes.