Carolina Hurricanes: One for the Future: Andrew Poturalski

This week’s installment of One for the Future focuses in on Charlotte Checkers’ alternate captain and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Andrew Poturalski.

Carolina Hurricanes prospect Andrew Poturalski is a dynamic player. The 25-year old forward has led the Charlotte Checkers with 70 points (six of which were game-winning goals) in 72 regular season games played this past season, and has amassed close to 200 points over the course of the past three seasons.

Poturalski, on top of being a prolific scorer during the regular season, has turned in 10 points in 5 games played in this year’s Calder Cup Playoffs. Poturalski has proven to be an absolute superstar in the AHL, and could easily translate his minor league success into a solid shot at the Hurricanes’ roster for the 2019-20 season.

Poturalski easily has the potential to become a top-9 forward for the Hurricanes. With players like Greg McKegg and Lucas Wallmark finding a full-time spot on the Hurricanes’ roster this season, we can expect Poturalski to be given a chance as soon as the NHL in the 2019-20 preseason.

Transitioning from the AHL to the NHL can be a challenge, especially for up-and-coming offensive players. A significant part of Poturalski’s success at the AHL level can be attributed to his linemates and players such as Aleksi Saarela, Patrick Brown, and Julien Gauthier setting Poturalski up and being set up offensively by the young forward.

If Poturalski manages to maintain his success with his linemates, we could see no less than five of our AHL superstars drawing into the Hurricanes’ lineup during the 2019-20 season. This young forward’s success is yet another reason to look forward to the future of this franchise, Caniacs, and we absolutely have a lot to look forward to.

Question for CC Readers: As usual, who would you like to see featured in next week’s installment of One for the Future?