Carolina Hurricanes Prospect Report: Jaccob Slavin
Carolina Hurricanes prospect development camp is underway in Raleigh this week, which means the fans have been able to see some young players in the organization in action.
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Amongst the 29 players at camp this year, there are a lot of interesting names, and that includes 2012 4th round pick and Colorado College product Jaccob Slavin.
Jaccob Slavin, signed by the Carolina Hurricanes to an entry level contract on July 1, is one of the most intriguing prospects in that the Canes have this year due to his mid-level draft selection yet very promising upside.
Prior to playing two years of college hockey at Colorado College, Slavin spent three seasons in the USHL from 2010-2013.
Carolina Hurricanes
The USHL has seen the likes of Justin Faulk, David Backes, Kyle Okposo, Brandon Saad, and hundreds of other eventual NHLers and top prospects come through over the past few decades, which means that this league has proven to be a very legitimate developmental league in the United States for players before they head off to college or juniors.
In 139 USHL games played, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin tallied 9 goals, 55 assists, 64 points, and was a -27. As a comparison, Justin Faulk tallied 12 total points in just 21 career games in the USHL.
After several years in the US developmental league, Slavin decided to go the college route at Colorado College.
The Erie, Colorado native bursted onto the scene in his rookie year with the Tigers, proving to be a legitimate prospect and a very good two-way defenseman as a freshman.
Slavin put up 25 points in 33 games and was a +11 in his rookie year, which is remarkable for a young defenseman like him.
The NCAA took notice and named him the National Collegiate Hockey Conference rookie of the year. He was also named to the all-rookie team and was a member of the second-team all stars in the NCHC.
By the 2014-2015 season, Jaccob Slavin had established himself as a top end player in the college ranks, and despite a drop off in production, his accolades continued to come in.
in the 2014-2015 season, Slavin tallied 17 points and was a -28 in 34 games played. Slavin earned a first-team all star selection last season. Slavin led all defensemen and underclassmen in points for the Colorado College Tigers in his sophomore year.
Hockeysfuture.com provided the following talent analysis for Jaccob Slavin prior to his sophomore year:
“Slavin was the leading scorer for a disappointing Colorado College team in his freshman season in 2013-14 but his pro potential is more that of a versatile defender capable of playing in all situations as opposed to a pure offensive defenseman. He should continue to develop both his technical skills and tactical game while skating for the Tigers and former NHL assistant coach Mike Haviland. Slavin plays with consistent effort and is a team leader.”
Jaccob Slavin’s college career has come to an end, and he will brake into professional hockey this season, likely with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League.
This should be an exciting time for the Carolina Hurricanes. Mid-round draft picks don’t always make their way to the AHL after their college career, and it is even less common to see a mid-round pick have that much success in college.
Slavin, who turned 20 in May, has showed good potential as a two-way defenseman over the past few years, and it will be important for him to continue that as he goes pro this year.
A good start in Charlotte this year could potentially mean an NHL call-up at some point this year, considering the lack of defensive depth on this year’s roster in Carolina. The Canes will hope for the best from Jaccob Slavin. If both sides play their cards right, this is a kid that could pan out to be a top-four defenseman in the National Hockey League.
There is a lot to be excited about if your a fan of the Carolina Hurricanes, especially with the future of the defense. Big names in Noah Hanifin and Haydn Fleury are followed by Roland McKeown, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, and Josh Wesley, a few players that definitely should not be counted out of the equation in the years to come. Those “second level” prospects could turn into key pieces for the Carolina Hurricanes in the years to come.