Carolina Hurricanes head to Nashville for NHL Prospects Showcase

Eight draft picks, two free agents, 12 invitees to compete in pre-camp tournament

Carolina Hurricanes

Peter Koutroumpis

editor@trianglesportsnet.com

RALEIGH, N.C. – As announced on Wednesday, the Carolina Hurricanes will send a prospect squad to Nashville, Tenn. to compete against the Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals from Sept. 7-10.

Knowns and unknowns

Unlike previous seasons when the Hurricanes competed in the 8-team showcase tournament hosted by the Detroit Red Wings, making the shorter trip to Tennessee will be a group that includes eight recent draftees, two free agent signees, and an overabundance of invitees – 12 in total.

Carolina Hurricanes 2019 NHL Prospects Showcase roster

Ryan Suzuki, the Canes’ first pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, leads a young and lesser-known assembly of players compared to teams from years past that included predominantly more drafted prospects than invitees.

Jamieson Rees (2019, 2nd round), Eetu Luostarinen (2017, 2nd round), Janne Kuokkanen (2016, 2nd round), Luke Henman (2018, 4th round), Jeremy Helvig (2016, 5th round), Blake Murray (2019, 6th round) and Jesper Sellgren (2018, 6th round) will all join Suzuki, along with free-agent acquisitions Chase Priskie (Quinnipiac) and Jacob Pritchard (UMass).

Schedule

With all games taking place at Ford Ice Center Antioch, Carolina will face off against Washington on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. ET, before taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospects on Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. ET.

With an off day on Sept. 9, the team will then finish the event with a match-up against the host Predators at 2 p.m. ET.

According to the Predators website, all six of the showcase’s games will be broadcast live on NashvillePredators.com.

Carolina’s previous finishes in Prospect tournament play in Traverse City included winning the event in 2009 and 2016, finishing sixth in 2018, third in 2017, fourth in 2014 and 2015, and sixth in 2013.

Carolina Hurricanes NHL Prospect Tournament Archives

Triangle Sports Network: 401-323-8960, @tsportsnet