Prospect Corner: Updating the World Juniors and OHL Trade Deadline

This week, our Hurricanes Prospect Corner takes a look back at the World Juniors, explores a new address for a Canes first-rounder, and updates all the information surrounding players in the development pipeline.

World Junior Championships Recap

Patrik Puistola (5G, 3A) finished as Finland’s second leading scorer throughout the tournament. His countrymen and fellow Carolina prospects Lenni Killinen (0G, 2A) and Anttoni Honka (1G, 1A) also contributed to the Finns narrowly missing the podium, losing to their rival Sweden in the bronze medal game.

Jack Drury played in all situations for the United States, who finished a disappointing sixth in the Czech Republic. The 2018 second-rounder posted a goal and an assist, and was third in total ice time among forwards, playing nearly 18 minutes per game for the Americans.

Dominik Bokk (6G, 2A) led Germany in scoring and shots (31) in their seven tournament games, showcasing the talent that Carolina honed in on when trading Justin Faulk this summer for the former first rounder. He helped his German squad avoid relegation, keeping his country in the top division for 2021.

NCAA

The 2020 Hobey Baker Nominee list was released recently, with David Cotton and Jack Drury among the candidates for college hockey’s most prestigious award. Over the next few months, the long list will be cut first to a top ten, and then to a final three. For Cotton, it’s the second time he’s been among the initial nominees in his four-year career at Boston College, and this year marks Drury’s debut on the nomination list for the award.

Cotton sits 11th in college hockey with 28 points in 22 games, currently ranking first among Boston College players with five power play goals and 82 shots. Similarly, Drury is pacing Harvard, leading in most significant offensive categories including goals (11), power play goals (7) power play points (11), shots (54) and faceoff wins (192).

Domenick Fensore is showing some offensive flash in freshman season with Boston University, as he currently ranks in the top ten freshman scorers among blueliners. His 12 points in 23 games include two power play goals and a game winner.

Major Junior

The biggest Carolina prospect-related news recently came off the ice, with Ryan Suzuki moving from Barrie to Saginaw in a trade deadline deal. The Spirit picked up the former first rounder in a ten-piece deal in hopes of repeating their West Division title from a year ago. As it currently stands, the club sits first in the division with 62 points and adding Suzuki will only improve their firepower.

Suzuki’s season has been solid, despite missing time in November with an eye injury. The 28th overall pick from a year ago has had similar production, with a tick higher points-per-game this season compared to his draft year. As he joins a stacked Spirit squad, don’t be surprised to see his offensive production increase.

Jamieson Rees has been dominant when on the ice for Sarnia this season. Unfortunately, staying on it has been an issue for the forward. Rees was levied a six-game suspension for a check to the head against Erie, and will be able to return the first week of February. This is the second suspension of this season for Rees, following a six-game ban as the result of a hit in the Sting’s first game of the year. This will be the 20th game Rees has missed for suspension in the last two seasons.

Offensively, the second rounder has been flat out incredible this year, raising his point-per-game rate by almost a full point in 2019-20. He has nine goals at even strength, to pair with four with the man advantage, and four while shorthanded. It’s truly been a breakout season for the 18-year-old.

Pipeline Ramblings

• Luke Henman (Blainville-Boisbriand) has been terrific this season, leading the Armada with 60 points in 47 games. His 40 assists are tied for third in the QMJHL.
• Blake Murray (Sudbury) continues to show value as a sixth-round bargain. Still 18 for the next few months, the center sits third among Sudbury players in scoring with 21 goals and 28 assists.
• Matt Filipe (Northeastern) has found his scoring touch in recent games, playing his best stretch of hockey in his career for Northeastern. The senior forward has 13 points in his last 11 contests and had a nine-game point streak snapped in a 3-2 OT loss against Connecticut last week.

Check back in at the Prospect Corner all season long for updates on the future of the Canes.