Kennedy on Track to Earn Contract

When 20-year-old Ontario Hockey League prospect Matt Kennedy was drafted by the Canes this year, many anticipated the star forward from the Guelph Storm to kick off his pro career in 2009-10 with the Albany River Rats. Alas, it was later announced that Kennedy was planning to return to the Storm for a fifth season.

But with a stellar performance at the Traverse City tournament, Kennedy earned an invite to the Hurricanes' training camp. So now the question hangs in air: will the Canes offer Kennedy a deal and bring him to Albany?

Prior to the prospects tournament, Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford anticipated inviting seven or eight of the young players to camp. After watching the team play in Traverse City, his opinion changed.

"Based on my talks with our people here, I think that number may get to 10," Rutherford told Paul Branecky of Tracking the Storm.

Well, the number hit nine. The most visible addition: Matt Kennedy.

“At this point, he looks like a good pick for us, and he’s certainly put himself in a position to get a contract now,” said Rutherford after watching the talented forward net three goals in four games at the tournament.

Kennedy, according to Branecky, "should play in Albany next season once he signs a contract with Carolina."

Recapping Traverse City's prospects

Jeff Daniels, head coach of the River Rats and the prospect team champs, talks up his players at NHL.com. Paul Brenecky has a bit more at Tracking the Storm.

Hurricanes' Propsects Are Tournament Champs!

"It was a good win. It was a good week. You come out here and come together as a team for five days, you might as well go out and win the thing. We had a good group of guys who played hard for four games. It feels good. We've got a lot of talent in that room, a good group of guys and I think we just had fun with it. ... Worked hard and enjoyed it."
--Captain Nick Dodge
(Photo from Hockey's Future)

The Carolina Hurricanes' prospects have won the tournament in Traverse City! With only five defenseman and 11 forwards, the Canes defeated the Minnesota Wild tonight in the championship game.

Carolina was led to a 4-1 victory on goals by Chris Terry, Zach Boychuk, Brandon Sutter, and Stefan Chaput, all of whom are set to play in Albany next season!

The first two tallies were traded early in the first period. The Hurricanes scored 6:16 into the game, as Chris Terry notched his second of the tournament, assisted by Matthew Pistilli and Beau Schmitz. Matt Kennedy was penalized for slashing less than a minute later and the Wild capitalized on the power play, knotting the game at 1-1.

The score remained tied through the end of the first period, with the Wild ahead on shots 11 to 5.

The Canes continued to struggle in the shot department in the second period, but Zach Boychuk took control of game, scoring his fourth goal in four contests, and putting Carolina up 2-1 at the 7:10 mark.

The goal apparently inspired the team, as the Hurricanes began to catch up on shots.

Brett Bellemore was sent to the box for tripping with under two minutes remaining, but Brandon Sutter put home a shorthanded goal, giving Carolina a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.

Three minutes into the third, Chris Terry was assessed a charging penalty, while Matthew Pistilli and the Wild's Marco Scandella received coincidental roughing minors.

The Canes killed off the power play, which lasted for a minute and 16 seconds before being interrupted by another roughing call on Minnesota.

As time clicked away, the teams traded power plays one more time, but neither scored.

Stefan Chaput sealed the deal with an empty netter, putting Carolina up 4-1 with just over a minute remaining. He was assisted by Drayson Bowman.

Mike Murphy registered his third win of the tournament, stopping 31 of 32 shots.

Justin McCrae and Michal Jordan sat out with injuries.

Expect more coverage over the next 24 hours.

Update: Brandon Sutter is happy with the outcome of the tournament. Hockey's Future has a short recap.

Rutherford Identifies Standouts

Carolina Hurricanes' General Manager Jim Rutherford identifies standouts at the prospects tournament. Paul Brenecky has the story at the Tracking the Storm blog.

Hurricanes vs Wild in Prospect Championship

Tomorrow night the young Carolina Hurricanes will skate in the championship game of the prospects tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. Their opponent will be the Minnesota Wild.

Although the Wild lost tonight in a shootout against the St. Louis Blues, the overtime loss was enough to secure first place in the Western Division.

The Canes locked up first place in the East on Monday.

The championship game is scheduled for tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. Live updates will be available at pointstreak.com and at the Hurricanes' Twitter page.

Prospects Stumble in Rough Game

The Carolina Hurricanes' prospects picked up their first loss of the tournament today against the Atlanta Thrashers. The game appears to have been quite rough, with 17 infractions, including two majors for fighting.

In the first period, Atlanta's Jimmy Bubnick was penalized for boarding; Brett Bellmore went away for hooking; Elgin Reid dropped the gloves with Danick Paquette; Atlanta's Cody Sol was called for roughing; and Atlanta's Darryl Smith was called for holding and then slashing as soon as he hopped out.

Amidst all the penalties, Atlanta managed to score two 5-on-5 goals mid-way through. Matt Kennedy responded later with a 4-on-3 power play goal, apparently deflecting a shot by Michal Jordan. Kennedy has three goals this week. Josh Day also picked up an assist.

The second period saw more penalties, but no scoring. Drayson Bowman was sent to the box for kneeing; Atlanta's Cody Sol picked up a delay of game; Stefan Chaput was assessed a holding call; and Beau Schmitz was sent away for slashing. Still, the score remained 2-1 Atlanta heading into the third.

Goaltender Alain Valiquette got his first taste of action in the final 20 minutes. He gave up an early goal at the 1:13 mark, as Atlanta's Andrew Kozak netted his second of the game, putting the Thrashers ahead 3-1.

A minute later, Atlanta's Cody Sol was sent to the box for the third time, allowing Zach Boychuk to bury his third goal of the tournament. Assists came from Jamie McBain and Josh Day.

Trailing 3-2, Carolina was forced to kill off two more penalties, as Samuel Morneau was called for boarding and Jamie McBain for high-sticking. About halfway through the penalty to McBain, a trip by Atlanta put the teams at 4-on-4.

The Thrashers scored, making it 4-2, but Carolina, in reminiscent fashion, refused to quit. Harrison Reed, assisted by Brett Bellemore, brought the team within one with eight minutes left.

Unfortunately, Bellemore took a costly cross-checking penalty with under four minutes remaining. The Thrashers seized on the opportunity, making it 5-3 with just 3:05 on the clock.

Carolina picked up a power play moments later, but Atlanta landed an empty netter as the Canes pulled Valiquette for the 6-on-4.

Atlanta scored again with eleven seconds left, making the final 7-3.

The Thrashers ended with 46 shots on goal, the Hurricanes with 36.

Mike Murphy stopped 30 of 32 shots. Alain Valiquette blocked 9 of 13.

Despite the loss, Carolina has secured first place in the tournament's Eastern Division. They will play in the championship game tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. Their opponent will be determined by the winner of tonight's contest between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild.

Update: Tracking the Storm has a recap of the action. Hockey's Future chimes in. Brandon Sutter also added another post.

Prospects Impress Rutherford

Carolina General Manager Jim Rutherford talks up the Canes' prospects to Chip Alexander at Canes Now. He also says a new defensive prospect could be coming into the fold, as the saga with Anton Babchuk finally comes to a close. Stay tuned.

Prospects Topple Red Wings, Occupy First Place

Mike Murphy has been described as the "talk of the tournament" for his outstanding play in net
(Photo from NHL.com)

The Carolina prospects defeated the young Red Wings tonight at the tournament in Traverse City, taking over first place in the "Eastern Conference." The 5-3 comeback win came in exciting fashion.

The first period was scoreless (thanks to Mike Murphy) with no penalties, but things exploded in the second.

Detroit took a 1-0 lead 4:40 into the period. Shortly after, Jamie McBain was penalized for his second hooking penalty of the tournament, allowing the Wings to go up by two on the power play.

Although the Red Wings dominated in the shot column 25 to 9 at the halfway point, Carolina refused to quit. Matthew Pistilli linked up with Brandon Sutter to bring the Canes within one at the 10:56 mark of the second period.

Minutes later, with a power play opportunity of their own, the Hurricanes tied the game on a goal by Matt Kennedy, his second of the tournament, assisted by Stefan Chaput and Beau Schmitz.

Detroit scored a demoralizing goal with one second remaining in the period, reestablishing the lead going into the third. But again, the Canes bounced back. About a minute and a half into the third period Harrison Reed knotted the game at 3-3 on a tally assisted by Stefan Chaput.

Moments later, a roughing penalty by the Red Wings brought out the Carolina power play unit for the second time. The Canes quickly capitalized, as Zach Boychuk, assisted by Drayson Bowman and Jamie McBain, seized the lead at 4-3.

At the eight minute mark, Jamie McBain was sent back to the box on an interference call, but the penalty kill came through.

Carolina stayed strong through the third period and Chris Terry sealed the deal with an unassisted goal with 1:22 left.

Goaltender Mike Murphy registered his second win of the tournament, stopping 33 of 36 shots.

The win places Carolina in first place in the "Eastern Conference," which consists of the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers.

The team has one conference game remaining against Atlanta on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. A win would guarantee the Canes a spot in the championship game.

Updates: The Hurricanes' website has a rundown of the game. Hockey's Future also has a recap, as well as some high praise for netminder Mike Murphy, described as "the best player of the tournament." Brandon Sutter adds his two cents.

Sutter Blogging From Traverse City

Brandon Sutter has been assigned blogging duties at the tournament in Traverse City. Follow his entries here.

Canes' Prospects Beat Rangers 5-3

Carolina celebrates a goal during a 5-3 win over the Rangers
(Photo by Hockey's Future)

The NHL prospects tournament kicked off today in Traverse City, Michigan. Brandon Sutter, Zach Boychuk, Drayson Bowman, Mike Murphy and several other River Rats are showcasing their skills in hopes of earning an invite to the Hurricanes' training camp.

About half of the prospects team is on track to play with the River Rats next season. Albany coaches Jeff Daniels and Geordie Kinnear are directing the young squad. The full roster is available here.

The team squared off today at 3 p.m. against prospects from the New York Rangers.

The Canes were led to a 5-3 victory on goals by Drayson Boyman (Chris Terry, Nick Dodge), Matt Kennedy (unassisted), Zach Boychuk (Harrison Reed), Elgin Reid (Jamie McBain), and an empty netter by Brandon Sutter (unassisted).

Carolina gave up a two goal lead in the third period, but Jamie McBain set up Elgin Reid for the game winner with just 2:25 remaining on the clock.

Goaltender Mike Murphy registered the win, stopping 32 of 35 shots.

Both teams were scoreless on the power play. The Canes failed to capitalize on five chances. The Rangers did not convert on their only opportunity.

The boxscore is available here.

The next game is scheduled for tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. against the young Detroit Red Wings.

Update: Hockey's Future has a quick rundown of the game. The writer says the Canes "looked like a top team in this tournament from the opening face off." There is also a short video from the morning skate featuring an interview with coach Daniels.

Hurricanes to Participate in Prospects Tournament

The Hurricanes will be participating in the 8-team NHL Prospects Tournament next month. Rats' coaches Jeff Daniels and Geordie Kinnear will be behind the bench. Below is the team's full roster.

Goalies
Valiquette, Alain
Murphy, Mike

Defense
McBain, Jamie
Jordan, Michal
Day, Josh
Schmitz, Beau
Reid, Elgin
Rissanen, Rasmus
Bellemore, Brett

Forwards
Boychuk, Zach
Sutter, Brandon
Bowman, Drayson
Paradis, Philippe
Kennedy, Matt
Pistilli, Matt
Reed, Harrison
Chaput, Stephan
Terry, Chris
Morneau, Samuel
McCrae, Justin
Dodge, Nick