Carolina Hurricanes: The Mystery of Gregory Hofmann

An exciting season has made fans forget about the past, and look to the future. But what about a current prospect, whose time has seemingly passed him by?

The casual Carolina Hurricanes fan may not know the name Gregory Hofmann. But for some, Hofmann might be the most mysterious and polarizing player in the organization. He’s like the lockness monster – often talked about; rarely seen. Not all fairytales have a happy ending – will Hofmann’s?

So you may be wondering, who is Gregory Hofmann? The Hofmann saga started back in 2011. The Hurricanes, were fresh off a season that they had a chance to qualify for the playoffs in their final game of the season but blew it, losing a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Tampa Bay. To put into perspective how long ago that was: Jeff Skinner was a rookie. Anyway. That summer at the NHL draft, the Hurricanes elected to pick Hofmann, 103rd overall, in the 4th round of the draft.

He was highly touted for his blazing speed and natural goal scoring ability. The International Scouting Services (ISS) rated Hofmann the best pick of the 4th round after the draft. “The NHL is a dream for me” Hofmann said after the draft. The team looked like they’d found a hidden gem.

So what went wrong?

The answer to that question is unknown. There’s a ton of factors in why Hofmann isn’t a goal-scoring catalyst for the Carolina Hurricanes. His once lofty expectations, and die-hard fanfare eventually dwindled, to the point now where he’s mostly known for being the guy drafted ahead of Johnny Gaudreau. But is there still a chance for him?

I’d never say never, but the chances are slim. Hofmann is now 8 years removed from his draft year, and at 26 years old, has already put together a marvelous career in Switzerland. His 30 goals led the Swiss-A league by a comfortable margin, in a league riddled by former NHLers like Damien Brunner, Ronalds Kenins, Chris DiDomenico and others.

So if he can have that kind of success overseas, could he make it in the NHL? That question may never be answered. The Swiss league is amazing for local players (Hofmann is a Biel, SUI native) and to convince him to leave his beautiful home country, where he’s likely treated like a king, to leave that for bus rides to AHL games would be impossible.

If anything, the Hurricanes would need to all but guarantee Hofmann an NHL roster spot, which likely won’t happen with their new Grit and Grind philosophy led by Rod Brind’Amour.

The last time the Carolina Hurricanes brass and their fans saw a glimpse of Hofmann was at training camp in 2017. Hofmann said at the time “I want to show them I can play with this team and I’m ready”, but he was eventually cut and returned home to Switzerland.

Last year, he decided against coming to camp to stay with his team HC Lugano and focus on the final season of his contract over there, and would decide his future when he was ready. It seems that future has been decided. Hofmann signed a new 4-year deal with Zug of Swiss-A, all but sealing his fate as one of the biggest “what ifs” in Hurricanes history.

The exact reason for Hofmann deciding against the NHL will likely always remain unknown, but a likely factor could be that the Hurricanes regime that drafted him, led by GM Jim Rutherford, is a footnote in Carolina Hurricanes history. Maybe Don Waddell and Co. never reached out to Hofmann, or aren’t as high on him as the old regime, or maybe they even agreed to part ways. Unfortunately, we’ll probably never know.

So this is likely the final chapter of an unwritten book; a story that never manifested. Hofmann, long considered to have the makings of a capable NHL forward, is looking like a classic case of a player who has all the tools to make it in North America but never gave it a real chance. It’ll be alright though, the team is loaded with young forwards and competition is tough.

But if for nothing else, Hofmann will be remembered for being a glimmer of hope in the darkest times of team history. There was a time he was one of their most intriguing prospects. But as new regimes, new coaches, new players and a new owner have come along, Hofmann never joined them. He’s now become an afterthought in Caniac fandom, with younger prospects and players taking the spotlight.

Hofmann is probably just fine though. Lavishing away in his Swiss homeland, one of the highest paid players in a great league. I can’t help but wonder if Hofmann asks himself the same question I ask; what if?

Question for CC Readers: Will we ever see Gregory Hofmann in a Carolina Hurricanes jersey?