The list of hockey players born in the great state of North Carolina to reach the NHL is small. In the league's expansive history, only six players from The Tar Heel State have made it to the big dance. Four of those players were born in Raleigh while their fathers played for the Hurricanes, while Jared Boll (Charlotte) and Ben Smith (Winston-Salem) are the exceptions.
Making it to the national is a hard task, but one North Carolinian got a step closer on Tuesday after signing an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves. While the deal is exclusive to the Wolves, meaning the Canes hold no power over his contract, it's a cool moment that could lead to something even cooler somewhere down the line.
Born in Raleigh and drafted 109th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2018 out of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Tyler Weiss took his talents to the college ranks, playing at University of Nebraska-Omaha. During his five seasons, Weiss scored 28 goals and 116 points in 159 games before turning pro.
Instead of signing his entry-level deal with the Avalanche, Weiss inked a deal with the Toronto Marlies before being assigned to the Newfoundland Growlers in 2023. With the Growlers, Weiss scored 39 points in 56 games. He signed with the Hershey Bears last season, spending the entire campaign with the South Carolina Stingrays.
With the Stingrays, Weiss blossomed, finishing second on the team in scoring (56) and tied for third in goals (22) for the division winners. Despite the best record in the ECHL last season, the Stingrays were upset in the first round in seven games by the Orlando Solar Bears. Weiss had three assists in the seven-game loss.
Weiss has been vocal about the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup victory being a prominent moment in his childhood. As a Raleigh native and Jr. Hurricane, Weiss is knocking on the door of the NHL by finding his way to the organization. It's rare that a North Carolinian makes it to the NHL, but it's even rarer for one to play for the Hurricanes, happening for the first time last season with Skyler Brind'Amour.
Of course, signing an AHL deal doesn't mean he'll be getting the call from the Hurricanes, nor does it guarantee him a spot on the Wolves next season. Still, it's cool to see someone from close to home coming another step closer to achieving their dream. It's even cooler when it's the hometown team they grew up cheering for.