Raleigh, NC -- The Carolina Hurricanes have placed left wing Ray Whitney on the injured reserve list to make room for goaltender Kevin Nastiuk.

Nastiuk was called up from Lowell of the American Hockey League after starting goalie Martin Gerber suffered a hip injury in Wednesday's opening-night 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Gerber played the first two periods of the game before giving way to Cam Ward. Nastiuk, 20, was the 126th pick overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft.

Whitney, who has a groin strain, was placed on the injured reserve list retroactive to October 3. He played with the Detroit Red Wings during the 2003-04 season, tallying 14 goals and 29 assists. A two-time All-Star, Whitney has 205 goals and 330 assists during his NHL career. He has topped 60 points in five of his last seven seasons and has also played for San Jose, Edmonton, Florida and Columbus.

Whitney's best season came in 1999-2000 with the Panthers, when he had 29 goals and 42 assists.