Expect These Stars at the Carolina Hurricanes Training Camp

The Carolina Hurricanes will start Training Camp 10 July.

The 2020 Carolina Hurricanes training camp will give some hidden talent the opportunity to earn a spot on the main roster.

Carolina Hurricanes training camp is almost here, and even though it will certainly look different than any other prior camp, it moves the team one step closer to the postseason.  The Hurricanes moved into Phase 2 yesterday, which consists of optional small group skates. This group included a healthy Dougie Hamilton, Captain Jordan Staal, and netminder James Reimer.

Training camp is set to open on Friday, July 10, pending any delays. The official press release from the NHL states that training camp will occur “provided that medical and safety conditions allow and the parties have reached an overall agreement on resuming play”.

As expected, both “The length of training camp and, therefore, the start date for the formal resumption of play (Phase 4) will be determined at a future date.” So far there has not been any follow-up, but hopefully, the information will be revealed as the teams move closer to the start of training camp.

Training camp is happening prior to the postseason as opposed to initiating the regular season, so there will be a variety of noticeable differences present. One concern due to Covid19 is that many players of the Canes deep prospect pool will not be able to make the trip overseas to participate in training camp.

Luckily, a recent article by Sara Civian for The Athletic (paywall) indicates that the Canes are ready to start training camp strong. Strength and Conditioning Coach Bill Burniston had the following to say about why the team is a step ahead of the competition:

““To be a Carolina Hurricane is to have an expectation — you’re going to be in shape (when you arrive to camp) but you always have room to grow. I’ve had so many individual conversations (that boil down to) ‘Let’s go in ready to win the whole thing. If we’re coming back, we’re going to win the whole thing. Period.’ There’s just no room for negativity.””

Caniacs, myself included, are anxious to learn who will be joining the team for training camp.  Even though the turnout will probably not be the same as prior years, I believe that there will still be some fresh faces to emerge in the next few weeks.

Sara Civian has confirmed that Ryan Suzuki and Steve Lorentz are in town for training camp. Ryan Suzuki made waves in the 2019 Prospect Game. Suziki was selected 28th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Steve Lorentz had an outstanding season of 46 points with the Charlotte Checkers last year and is among the players that fans should keep a close eye on.

Based on these two early arrivals for training camp, I believe that the Canes will likely see a heavy influx of players from the Charlotte Checkers.  The organizational depth is so great with numerous players oversees that unfortunately some of these players probably won’t be able to make it over. This will give these Checkers’ players the deserved opportunity to shine in training camp.

Several Checkers’ standouts were able to have a chance to play with the Hurricanes during the regular season due to multiple injuries during the 2019-2020 season. Highlights include Alex Nedeljkovic (noted by Civian to already be in town) and Morgan Geekie.

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Nedeljikovic is notable because he very well inherit the net after Mrazek and Reimer. As Conor Power rightly speculated in his article, Nedeljikovic has a list of accomplishments in the AHL and needs to be called up sooner rather than later. Although his stats weren’t great on paper, Nedeljikovic proved again this year as he has before that he is ready for the NHL.

Every Caniac is now acquainted with Morgan Geekie after he posted four points in two games after filling in for an injured Ryan Dzingel, including three points in a must-win game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Geekie clearly has a career ahead of him in the NHL and it would be wise of the organization to pay attention to his training camp performance.

Two local prospects that were signed right before the regular season shutdown are David and Jason Cotton.  Jason posted 37 points in 34 games for the 2019 season with Sacred Heart University while David posted 39 points in 32 games with Boston College.  The pair of brothers could provide important depth for the regular season.

While it is disappointing that the Canes will most likely not be able to host many prospects from oversees for training camp, I believe that it will give local players an important chance to earn a spot on the roster.  It also brings us one step closer to hockey, which is something every Caniac can be thankful for.

Question for CC Readers: Who do you want to see at training camp?