RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Thursday the team’s roster that will play in the 2015 NHL Prospects Tournament to be held at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich. from Sept. 11-15.
Mark Morris, head coach of Carolina’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, will coach the Hurricanes’ team alongside Charlotte assistant coach Geordie Kinnear.
The Hurricanes will compete in the Gordie Howe Division along with the tournament host Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Play in the Ted Lindsay Division will take place between the Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers.
The Hurricanes’ squad is comprised of 15 draft picks including first-round draft picks Noah Hanifin (2015 – 5th overall) and Haydn Fleury (2014 – 7th overall), second-round picks Phil Di Giuseppe (2012 – 38th overall) and Brock McGinn (2012 – 47th overall), and third-round pick Brett Pesce (2013 – 66th overall).
Three free agents – Sergey Tolchinsky, Carter Sandlak, and goaltender Rasmus Tirronen – along with former Los Angeles Kings second-round pick, defenseman Roland McKeown, acquired via a trade in February, and three tryout invitees – Nikki Petti, Matt Willows, and Chris Marchese – round out the roster.
The Hurricanes won the tournament in 2009, and most recently finished fourth in 2014 and sixth in 2013, while possessing the leading tournament scorer, Victor Rask and Tolchinsky, in each of the past two years.
Carolina will open play against the Red Wings on Fri., Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m., before facing Dallas at 3:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 12.
The Hurricanes will finish round-robin play against the Blackhawks on Mon., Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m, and will play a final game on Tues., Sept. 15 to determine their final ranking amongst all eight teams.