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Revisiting the Carolina Hurricanes 2010 Draft Class

By Alex Ohari

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 31: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) during the 2nd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on March 31, 2018, at PNC Arena (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 31: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) during the 2nd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the New York Rangers on March 31, 2018, at PNC Arena (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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2nd round, 53rd overall – D Mark Alt

With the second of their two 2nd round picks (acquired from San Jose in the Niclas Wallin trade in 2010), the Hurricanes opted to take another defenseman. They drafted Mark Alt, a US-born 6’4, 200lb D who was still in high school, where he was a big time shooter from the blueline. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the selection of Alt didn’t turn out nearly like the other US defenseman they drafted in the 2nd round that year.

Alt, a right-shot D, committed to the U. of Minnesota, and had a 3-year career there, opting to skip his senior season after a steep decline in production his junior year. But Alt would never step in to the Hurricanes organization. In January 2013 during the NHL lockout, while in his junior year at Minnesota, Alt was traded along with goaltender Brian Boucher to the Philadelphia Flyers for 23-year old center Luke Pither, who was playing in the ECHL. Pither would go on to play just 23 games for the Charlotte Checkers, before being let go as a free agent. He has never appeared in an NHL game.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Mark Alt #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers making his NHL debut looks on during warm-ups prior to his game against the San Jose Sharks on March 28, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Mark Alt #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers making his NHL debut looks on during warm-ups prior to his game against the San Jose Sharks on March 28, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Alt, on the other hand, never gained much traction in the Flyers organization. He was there from January 2013 until being waived in February of 2018, having played just 9 games with the Flyers. He was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche, and has gone on to play another 9 games with them – but is pointless in 18 career NHL games. Now 27 years old, Alt’s days as a highly regarded prospect are long behind him.

He’s going into his final contract year with Colorado, but will likely spend the year in the AHL. The Carolina Hurricanes selected Alt over the likes of Jason Zucker, Stephen Johns and Johan Larsson, who’ve all gone on to become NHL contributors. Unfortunately with Alt, it just never worked out, and he never played a single game for the Hurricanes.

Pick Grade: F

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