The Hurricanes have revealed their roster for the 2024 NHL Rookie Showcase hosted by the Predators.
Among the 22 players, seven are new faces joining on professional tryout agreements. These agreements might last until training camp or end after the showcase.
Carter Kowalyk, a defenseman, hopes to impress before heading back to Kelowna Rockets in the WHL for his final junior hockey season. He has faced injuries and tough teams but improved after a trade last season .
Zakary Lavoie stands out despite his smaller size. At 5-foot-10 and 179 pounds, he scored 31 goals in 67 OHL games last season between Niagara IceDogs and Brantford Bulldogs. Whether he lands an entry-level deal with Carolina or an AHL contract with Chicago Wolves is still up in the air.
Connor Lockhart, now free from his junior days, was once drafted by the Canucks but became a free agent when his signing rights expired. He scored over a point per game over two years and ended last season with Oshawa Generals. Fans might be curious about where he’ll end up next.
Prospects to Watch:
Skyler Brind’Amour already has an AHL contract with Charlotte Checkers but can attend rookie camps as Florida doesn’t own his NHL rights. The son of Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour won an NCAA championship but struggled in pro games last season.
Braydon McCallum wasn’t picked in this year’s draft but finished third on Peterborough Petes with 41 points and led them with 128 PIMs. He’s known for tenacious forechecking and could earn an ELC before returning to Peterborough next season.
Luca Testa shares similarities with McCallum: both were draft-eligible this year but overlooked. Testa is a physical center who takes fewer penalties yet offers less offensive power compared to McCallum.
Antonin Verreault is another intriguing prospect—an explosive left-winger who led QMJHL in assists (71) and points (107) last season despite being passed over three drafts consecutively. His talent makes him likely to secure a contract during this tryout period.
Fans are probably excited about these young talents’ potential impact on the team!
What do you think? Do any of these players stand out to you?
