Carolina Hurricanes: Training camp roster slimed by 5

Today, it was announced five members of the Carolina Hurricanes training camp would be assigned to their junior organizations, mostly based in the QMJHL. Forwards Bobby Orr (no, not THAT Bobby Orr) and Justin Robidas, defensemen Ronan Seeley and Bryce Montgomery as well as netminder Patrik Hamrla were assigned to their Junior teams.

Starting with Seeley, the 2020 7th round pick was assigned to the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League. He recorded 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 23 games last season as an alternate captain. For Seeley, this training camp wasn’t for nothing, as he did sign his entry-level contract before returning to the WHL with his junior team. Certainly a prospect worth keeping an eye on.

Bobby Orr will be returning to the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League or the QMJHL. With 15 goals and 17 assists, last year with 32 points in 41 games is a very respectable total for this 18-year-old in his draft year. Especially given the COVID effects on the junior leagues, he has done well to record that total and is a bright spot for the future. Obviously, his name puts a lot of pressure on him.

Justin Robidas is the son of former NHL player Stéphane Robidas and is still only 18 years of age. Drafted over the summer, Justin put up 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 35 games last season with the Val-d’Ors Foreurs. He will be returning to the team as their captain for the upcoming campaign in the QMJHL.

Bryce Montgomery will be returning to the OHL where he did not play a single game last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting the world down. At 6’5 and 220lbs, the big defenseman will be trying to increase his offensive production when he returns to London, Ontario to play with the Knights this season. He only has 2 points in 33 career OHL games from the blueline.

Patrik Hamrla will be spending his first season in North America with the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL. With the netminder spending his youth in his native Czech Republic, his first season in juniors should be very entertaining. A very energetic netminder, he seemed to thrive in the chaos in the Czech Republic. We will see how well it translates to North American ice.

Overall, the Hurricanes cut five players from the camp who are all spots for the future. None of them were expected to play in the National Hockey League this year, they certainly do makeup part of an incredibly bright future in Raleigh. It’s worth remembering these players who return to junior because you never know what can come of them.