Hurricanes Top 25 Under 25

We count down the top 25 Hurricanes under 25 years old

The Hurricanes next generation is already starting to take shape. This year’s Top 25 Under 25 features established NHL players, high-end prospects and several players who could become important pieces once they make the jump to the DCHL.

Here’s the countdown from No. 25 to No. 1.

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25. Cole Spicer — C

Age: 22 

Spicer gets the countdown started at No. 25. He’s a versatile center with enough offensive ability to make him an interesting player to follow. He has the potential to develop into a dependable contributor and could climb the rankings with the right opportunity.

DCHL Projection: Middle-six center

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24. Landon Nycz — D

Age: 18

Nycz is a young defenseman with an opportunity to develop into a useful blue-line piece. He’s still a longer-term project, but there’s plenty to work with. His ability to move the puck and contribute from the back end gives him a path toward eventually becoming a regular DCHL defenseman.

DCHL Projection: Bottom-four defenseman

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23. Ola Palme — D

Age: 18

Palme is another young defenseman worth keeping an eye on. He has the tools to develop into a reliable defensive player and gives his organization another option to work with on the blue line. His progression over the next couple of seasons will determine whether he can push his way into a larger role.

DCHL Projection: Bottom-four defenseman

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22. Jesse Nurni — F

Age: 21

Nurni is a versatile forward who can provide value in a number of different roles. He’s got enough offensive ability to contribute while also bringing some flexibility to a lineup. He’s the type of player who could make a noticeable jump once he gets a consistent opportunity.

DCHL Projection: Middle-six forward

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21. Charlie Cerrato — C

Age: 21

Cerrato gives his organization another promising option down the middle. He has offensive skill and enough versatility to play different roles as his game develops. He’s not a finished product, but there’s a lot to like about his potential as a young center.

DCHL Projection: Middle-six center

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20. Martin Psohlavec — G

Age: 18

Psohlavec is one of the more intriguing young goaltenders on the list. Goalies are notoriously difficult to project, but he has the potential to develop into a legitimate DCHL option. His progression will be especially important given the value of finding a reliable starter.

DCHL Projection: Starting goaltender

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19. Jake Livanavage — D

Age: 22

Livanavage brings some interesting puck-moving ability to the blue line. He’s the type of defenseman who can help a team transition from defense to offense and contribute with the puck. If his defensive game continues to develop, he could become a useful all-around DCHL defenseman.

DCHL Projection: Bottom-four defenseman

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18. Gabriel D’Aigle — G

Age: 19

D’Aigle is another goaltender with plenty of upside. There’s naturally more uncertainty surrounding a young goalie than a young skater, but the potential is there for him to become a legitimate option in net. If he develops into a starter, this ranking could look low in a few years.

DCHL Projection: Starting goaltender

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17. Simon Katolicky — LW

Age: 18

Katolicky has some intriguing offensive ability and could eventually develop into a useful scoring winger. He’s the type of prospect who may need some time before his game fully comes together, but there’s enough skill here to make him an interesting player to track.

DCHL Projection: Middle-six winger

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16. Mikey Berchild — C

Age: 18

Berchild is another young center with a lot of potential. He has the skill set to become a useful two-way player while still offering some offensive upside. Carolina’s investment in him gives him a chance to work his way into a meaningful role as the organization’s young core continues to develop.

DCHL Projection: Middle-six center

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15. Blake Zielinski — C

Age: 18

Zielinski is an intriguing young center who could eventually prove to be a very good value selection. He has enough offensive ability to contribute while also possessing the tools to become a responsible player in all three zones. He’s one of the prospects who could quietly move up the rankings over the next few years.

DCHL Projection: Middle-six center

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14. Beckham Edwards — C

Age: 18

Edwards is another center with legitimate offensive upside. He’s part of a deep group of young forwards and has the skill to eventually carve out an important role. The combination of his playmaking ability and position makes him one of the more interesting prospects in this range.

DCHL Projection: Top-nine center

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13. Colin Fitzgerald — C

Age: 18

Fitzgerald has the offensive skill to become more than just a depth player. He can create offense and has the tools to handle a bigger role as his game develops. Among the players in the middle of this ranking, he’s one of the names who could make a significant jump with a strong development year.

DCHL Projection: Top-nine center

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12. Tommy Lefreniere — F

Age: 19

Lefreniere is a talented forward who brings versatility to the table. He has enough offensive ability to make an impact while also giving a team some flexibility in how he’s used. He’s one of those players who could become a very useful DCHL contributor without necessarily needing to be the focal point of a lineup.

DCHL Projection: Top-nine forward

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11. Justin Poirier — RW

Age: 19

Poirier’s scoring ability is what makes him stand out. He’s a natural offensive winger who can find the back of the net and create chances for himself. If his defensive and all-around game continues to catch up with his offensive talent, he could become a very valuable top-six piece.

DCHL Projection: Top-six scoring winger

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10. Avery Hayes — F

Age: 23

Hayes opens the top 10. He’s a well-rounded forward who can contribute in different situations and doesn’t need to be limited to one particular role. His versatility is a major part of his appeal, while his offensive game gives him the potential to eventually play a larger role.

DCHL Projection: Top-six forward

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9. Cullen Potter — F

Age: 19

Potter has the offensive skill to become one of the better young wingers in this group. He’s capable of creating scoring chances and has the kind of skill that can make him dangerous with the puck. He’s also an important piece of a young pipeline that could produce several DCHL contributors.

DCHL Projection: Top-six winger

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8. Cameron Reid — D

Age: 19

Reid is one of the more promising young defensemen on the list. He has the potential to become a dependable blue-line contributor while also bringing value with the puck. For a team building for the future, having a young defenseman with his skill set is a significant asset.

DCHL Projection: Top-four defenseman

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7. Liam Ruck — RW

Age: 18

Ruck is one of the most exciting young forwards in the DCHL pipeline. Carolina selected him 23rd overall, and he has the offensive tools to eventually become an important part of the Hurricanes’ young core. His ability to score and create offense gives him a legitimate chance to become a top-line winger.

DCHL Projection: Top-six/top-line winger

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6. Cole Beaudoin — C

Age: 20

Beaudoin brings an appealing combination of size, physicality and skill to the center position. He can compete in the difficult areas of the ice while still providing an offensive presence. His two-way potential makes him one of the more valuable young centers in the group.

DCHL Projection: Top-six center

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5. Bill Zonnon — LW

Age: 19

Zonnon has the kind of offensive upside that makes him stand out. He’s a skilled winger who can create plays, use his size effectively and contribute offensively. He has all the ingredients to become a major scoring piece and one of the more recognizable young players in the DCHL.

DCHL Projection: Top-six/top-line winger

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4. Matthew Poitras — C

Age: 22

Poitras is one of the best young centers in the DCHL player pool. His playmaking and offensive instincts give him the ability to drive a line rather than simply complement it. With the premium placed on quality centers, Poitras has the potential to become a centerpiece for his organization.

DCHL Projection: Top-six center

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3. Maveric Lamoureaux — D

Age: 22

Lamoureux is exactly the type of defenseman teams want to build around. His size and physicality give him a strong presence in his own end, while his puck skills allow him to contribute in transition. He has the potential to grow into a major-minute defenseman and could become one of the league’s better young blue-liners.

DCHL Projection: Top-four defenseman

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2. Andrew Cristall — LW

Age: 21

Cristall is one of the most talented offensive players in this entire group. His creativity and skill with the puck allow him to generate offense in a variety of ways, and he has the potential to become a legitimate first-line scoring threat. Carolina’s commitment to him as part of its rebuild makes a lot of sense.

DCHL Projection: Top-line scoring winger

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1. Brock Faber — D

Age: 23

Faber takes the top spot, and it’s largely because he’s already proven what the others are still trying to become. He’s an established NHL defenseman capable of playing big minutes against top competition while contributing at both ends of the ice.

His skating, puck-moving ability and defensive reliability make him the kind of defenseman a team can build its entire blue line around. The fact that he’s still under 25 only adds to the value.

DCHL Projection: No. 1 defenseman