Carolina Hurricanes Prospects: Tyler Ganly Gets Big Opportunity at Traverse City Tournament

Between now and the start of the preseason, Cardiac Cane will preview every Carolina Hurricanes prospect as they enter the 2015-2016 season and what we expect from them in the coming year and beyond.

Player: Tyler Ganly

Position: Defense

Date of Birth: March 22, 1995 (20)

Birthplace: Milton, Ontario (Canada)

Height/Weight: 6’2″/201 lbs.

2015-2016 Team: Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) and/or Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Scouting Report:

"Ganly is a purely defensive defenseman who has shown some playmaking ability but is not considered a polished offensive talent. He needs major work concerning his skating and positioning. Ganly is a hard checking defenseman and a fighter and will likely make his mark in pro hockey in those roles. (HOCKEY’S FUTURE)"

Late round draft picks tend to go on to be role players at the pro hockey levels, and 2013 6th round draft pick Tyler Ganly seems to be ready to head down that same path.

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Ganly, 20, has made a name for himself in the OHL with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as a tough, intimidating force on the blue line, dating back to his rookie season in the league in 2012-2013.

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As a rookie, Ganly failed to put the puck in the back of the net a single time, but he did post a respectable 17 helpers and a +2 rating while playing in a very limited role, primarily on the defensive side of the ice.

In his sophomore season as a Greyhound, Tyler Ganly’s minutes increased, as did his production and overall impact on his club.

Ganly served as an alternate captain for the first time with the Hounds in 2013-2014. He skated in 67 games, posting career highs in goals (3), assists (18), points (21), and plus/minus (+34). Again, he played in a very defensive role, but signs of life offensively were shown at times. He progressed both as a defensive defenseman and as a tough guy during year two in the OHL.

An injury-plagued third season in the OHL would limit Ganly to just 38 games. He donned the “A” on his chest once again and was on pace to shatter his previous career highs in all of his major scoring categories. Had he not sustained injuries, he likely would’ve blown all of his previous milestones out of the water.

Ganly did, however, return for the playoffs, and he was extremely effective, tallying 9 points in 14 games. He played a big part in his team’s run to the Western Conference Finals.

Following the season, the Carolina Hurricanes signed him to a three-year entry-level contract, a deal that Canes GM Ron Francis was happy to make.

"“Tyler had a good season despite missing significant time due to injury,”Francis said. “He was especially good in the playoffs and was a big part of his team making the OHL’s Western Conference finals.”"

Carolina Hurricanes

This ELC marked the beginning of Tyler Ganly’s professional hockey career, but the question now is what will he bring to the Charlotte Checkers now, and potentially the Carolina Hurricanes down the road.

Ganly is a big, lengthy defensive defenseman who is not afraid to lay the body and defend his teammates. He is a guy who will drop the gloves, and he’ll do it pretty often. Offense is certainly a down side in his game, and whatever offensive potential he showed at the OHL level isn’t expected to carry over to the pros in North America.

Down the road, he projects as a fringe NHL defenseman who can play well in a defensive role. He reminds me of a Jay Harrison. He is a big, long armed blue liner who plays the body well and is not afraid to scrap.

The young blue liner will have a great opportunity to stand out at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament this month. He has replaced the injured Noah Hanifin and is expected to see a decent amount of ice time throughout the event. A good performance there could boost his confidence and potentially get him off and running for training camp.

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He will likely be an early cut at Hurricanes training camp later in September, but he should play a key role on defense for the Charlotte Checkers as a rookie, especially in penalty killing situations and times when the teams needs a boost via fight or altercation.

Next: Luke Stevens Looks to Follow in the Footsteps of His Father