Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Checkers Not to Forget About

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 03: Cleveland Monsters left wing Nathan Gerbe (90) and Charlotte Checkers defenceman Jake Bean (24) chase the puck during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Charlotte Checkers and Cleveland Monsters on November 3, 2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 03: Cleveland Monsters left wing Nathan Gerbe (90) and Charlotte Checkers defenceman Jake Bean (24) chase the puck during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Charlotte Checkers and Cleveland Monsters on November 3, 2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 03: Charlotte Checkers ldefenceman Chase Priskie (7) blocks the shot of Cleveland Monsters center Justin Scott (20) during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Charlotte Checkers and Cleveland Monsters on November 3, 2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 03: Charlotte Checkers ldefenceman Chase Priskie (7) blocks the shot of Cleveland Monsters center Justin Scott (20) during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Charlotte Checkers and Cleveland Monsters on November 3, 2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Chase Priskie

I’m electing to start with Chase Priskie because of the guys I want to mention, he’s likely the least forgotten, if you will. He’s in his rookie season in the AHL, and he’s already turning heads. But, he gets his mention here because I still consider him to be behind Bean in the pecking order.

Priskie is an RFA in 2021-22 according to CapFriendly. His story of how he became a Carolina prospect is well-documented at this point. Originally drafted in the 6th round, 177th overall in 2016 by the Washington Capitals, Priskie elected not to sign with them. Instead, he played out his four years at Quinnipiac University. Upon becoming a free agent, Priskie chose the Carolina Hurricanes because of their reputation for developing defensemen.

This was significant for Carolina because Adam Fox had just been moved to the New York Rangers, and the void was almost instantly filled. There are some that believe Priskie could end up better than Fox if developed correctly. However, Fox is having a great rookie season in New York, and I’m going to hold off on that judgment for now.

Priskie was a top 10 finalist for the 2019 Hobey Baker Award. In his career at Quinnipiac, he registered 116 points in 154 games played.

Currently, for the Charlotte Checkers, Priskie has 22 points (5 g 17 a) in 37 games played. He’s a right-handed powerplay quarterback, and he’s certainly worth watching as the season progresses. He’s got definite Top-4 upside. Next up, a good Finnish lad.

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