Carolina Hurricanes: 5 Prospects That Can Make the Jump to the NHL

3. Jack Drury

As I’m going on, it’s becoming increasingly harder to find images of these prospects. Jack Drury is no exception. Drury is another center prospect that I can definitely see making the jump to the NHL next year and playing in that 4th line center role, as his development took a huge step this year. Yes, Jack Drury is related to Chris Drury; the current New York Rangers GM is his uncle.

Jack Drury is a 21-year old, left handed center that is currently playing for the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL. Drury was drafted in the 2nd round, 42nd overall in 2018 and in his draft year, he put up 65 points in 56 games, 24 of those points being goals, with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL. Drury then went on to play for Harvard and in his freshman year put up 24 points in 32 games, 9 of those being goals. He was named to the all-rookie team in his conference and played for the US National Team for the World Juniors, but he didn’t have a single point in 7 games.

Drury’s sophomore year was much improved, as he put up 39 points in 28 games, 20 of those points being goals. He was once again invited to the World Juniors and he did better, putting up 2 points in 5 games. Unfortunately, this is where he hit a bit of a roadblock. The ECAC, the conference that Harvard plays in, had its season in jeopardy. As a result, Drury made the decision to forgo the last two years of his college career as the Carolina Hurricanes loaned him out to the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL.

Drury began the year as the team’s third line center but eventually worked his way up to the second line, where he stayed for the majority of the year. Production wise, Drury had 30 points in 41 games, 10 of those being goals. This lead to him being named the SHL’s rookie of the year over prospects such as potential 2021 first round pick William Eklund and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Fredrik Olofsson.

In the playoffs, Drury has elevated his play enough to where he is now Vaxjo’s top line center. Drury has put up 11 points in 14 games, 5 of those points being goals. He recently won the SHL championship with the Vaxjo Lakers and scored the championship-clinching goal. Drury will more than likely come back to North America to compete for a spot on the NHL roster, but even if he doesn’t make the roster, he’ll get valuable time in the AHL. His potential is around a middle 6 center, a la Jordan Staal.