With the return of six players from the Carolina Hurricanes, the Albany River Rats have released four players from their tryout contracts.

The Rats released Kevin Baker and Jason Lepine from their professional tryout contracts and released Thomas Dignard and Mike McKenzie from their amateur tryout contracts.

Baker played in Albany’s regular-season finale Saturday in Glens Falls. He will return to the Florida Everblades to play in the 2010 Kelly Cup playoffs.

Lepine recorded two assists in his Albany debut Friday in Wilkes-Barre. He played in the River Rats’ season finale Saturday night in Glens Falls, and will returns to the IHL’s Bloomington Prairie Thunder.

Dignard signed an ATO with the River Rats on April 2 after completing his senior season at Yale University. He played in Albany’s final two regular season games, making his professional debut Friday in Wilkes-Barre.

McKenzie signed an ATO with the River Rats on March 23 after completing his senior season at St. Lawrence University. He played in Albany’s final three regular-season games and recorded an assist in his professional debut April 3 against Adirondack.