RALEIGH (Reuters) - The Carolina Hurricanes rewarded Tuomo Ruutu for his breakout season with a three-year $11.4 million contract extension, the club said on their website (hurricanes.nhl.com) on Thursday.

Last season the 26-year-old Finn set career highs for goals (26), assists (28) and points (54). The forward also led the team in hits with 228.

Taken with ninth overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2001 NHL draft, Ruutu has 78 goals, 173 points and 354 penalty minutes in 324 career NHL games with Chicago and Carolina.

Ruutu has also been a cornerstone of Finland's national team playing in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006, 2007 and 2008 world championships.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Sonia Oxley)