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Carolina Hurricanes 2019 Draft Update: Part 2

By Alex Ohari

VANCOUVER , BC - JANUARY 4: Anttoni Honka #36 of Finland skates against Switzerland during a semi-final game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 4, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) "n"n"n"n
VANCOUVER , BC - JANUARY 4: Anttoni Honka #36 of Finland skates against Switzerland during a semi-final game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 4, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) "n"n"n"n /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 10: Domenick Fensore # of the Boston University Terriers skates past Biagio Lerario #26 of the Northeastern Huskies during the second period of the 2020 Beanpot Tournament Championship game between the Northeastern Huskies and the Boston University Terriers at TD Garden on February 10, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 10: Domenick Fensore # of the Boston University Terriers skates past Biagio Lerario #26 of the Northeastern Huskies during the second period of the 2020 Beanpot Tournament Championship game between the Northeastern Huskies and the Boston University Terriers at TD Garden on February 10, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

D Domenick Fensore (3rd round, 90th overall)

American-born *defenseman* Domenick Fensore is an exceptional talent. He was largely considered one of the best skaters in the 2019 draft. Combine that with his elite elusivity, puck skills and hockey sense, this is a kid that really has the whole package.

Oh wait… the whole package except for …. size. This kid is currently listed at 5’7, 150lbs which is, by all accounts, smaller than ME. Hence why i put the asterisks around Fensore being a “defenseman” – a lot of scouts have wondered if he’d be better off at forward at the NHL level.

I hate to use a comparable like this, because the likelihood of Fensore reaching this ceiling is probably unlikely – but his skill set and size reminds me a lot of Johnny Gaudreau, which is obviously huge praise.

"“There may not be a faster player in this draft class than Fensore, who is also one of the youngest players in this draft with a September 7 birthdate. In addition to his blazing speed and outstanding agility, his edgework is excellent, which does help him bounce off and avoid checks.” – Adrian Szkolar (NHL writer)"

He’s playing at Boston University this year, and is the youngest player on that squad. Despite that, his 3 goals and 15 points rank 6th on the team, and 2nd among defensemen. An elite puck-moving presence, he has PP1 quarterbacking ability at the NHL level if he remains a defender.

But I’m not going to try to twist or sugarcoat the facts in any way – Fensore at his listed size, is a long shot to make the NHL as a defender. His instincts and usage of leverage aside, he’s tiny, and guys his size have trouble making it as a forward; let alone as a defenseman. The odds are highly stacked against him, regardless of his skills.

That said, not only can I not project what Fensore could become at the NHL level, I also can’t offer an estimated arrival because I have no clue. Is he a forward? Is he a defenseman? Will he be the first player to be a hybrid all-purpose weapon? Or will he be another player held victim to his size? Who knows at this point.

But with his skill set, it’s tough to bet against the Hurricanes doing everything in  their power to find him a role, as he is truly dynamic as a player.

Estimated NHL arrival: To be determined

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