Defending NHL Prospects Tournament-champion Hurricanes ready for Traverse City

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes recently announced the team’s roster for the 2017 NHL Prospects Tournament that will take place at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich. Sept 8-12.

Mike Vellucci, head coach of the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, will coach the squad that returns to the tournament hosted annually by the Detroit Red Wings.

Returning as 2016 champions, Carolina’s lineup will be led by first-round draft picks Haydn Fleury (2014 – 7th overall), Jake Bean (2016 – 13th overall), Julien Gauthier (2016 – 21st overall) and Martin Necas (2017 – 12th overall), as well as second-round pick Janne Kuokkanen (2016 – 43rd overall).

Along with Necas, several members of the Hurricanes’ 2017 NHL Draft class will debut at the tournament, including third-round picks Morgan Geekie (67th overall), Stelio Mattheos (73rd overall), and sixth-round selection Brendan De Jong (166th overall).

Full Roster – Carolina Hurricanes – 2017 NHL Prospects Tournament

The Hurricanes will open tournament play in the Howe Division on Fri., Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m., against the Red Wings.

Carolina will then take on the NY Rangers at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, before finishing round-robin play against Chicago on Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m.

Once all eight competing teams have finished round-robin play in divisional play, each will play a final game on Tues., Sept. 12, to determine final tournament ranking.

Notes: The other four teams competing in the Lindsay Division include the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues…All team rosters in the tournament are comprised of drafted players and signees, as well as amateur tryout invitees, and can include a limited number of players with prior professional experience of no more than one full season.