A look at the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2nd-day draft picks
The Hurricanes made eight draft picks Saturday on the second day of the NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Fla. Here’s a look at the picks, with analysis from Tony MacDonald, the Canes’ director of amateur scouting.
SECOND ROUND
Sebastian Aho, forward, Karpat, Finland
Need to know: The 5-11 winger played for Karpat in the Finnish Liiga at age 17.
MacDonald: “He’s got speed, skill, plays with the men in the Elite League. They won the league and he was a big part of it.”
FOURTH ROUND
Callum Booth, goalie, Quebec, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Need to know: He’s 6-3 and 199 pounds and helped Canada win gold at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial.
MacDonald: “A tremendous athlete. He’s a big man who moves very well.”
Nicolas Roy, center, Chicoutimi, QMJHL
Need to know: Another player with size (6-4, 195), he also played for Canada’s gold-medal winner in 2014.
MacDonald: “There’s’a little concern with his skating style. Lot of size, good hockey sense and a guy who competes hard.”
FIFTH ROUND
Luke Stevens, forward, Noble Greenough (Mass.) High
Need to know: His father, Kevin, was a forward who twice won Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
MacDonald: “He’s a big man (6-4, 192). He’s still developing (and) we think we can wait for him to develop. We like the size and skill.”
Spencer Smallman, forward, St. John, QMJHL
Need to know: The 6-0, 184-pound forward scored 23 goals for St. John this past season.
MacDonald: “An underrated, under-the-radar guy. Also a player who’s very responsible.”
SIXTH ROUND
Jake Massie, defenseman, Kimball Union (N.H.) High
Need to know: Born in Montreal, he needs to add size and strength.
MacDonald: “He’s still maturing. But we liked his composure, his ability to move the puck and to make good decisions under pressure.”
David Cotton, forward, Cushing (Mass.) Academy
Need to know: Cotton, a 6-2, 200-pound Texan, scored 27 goals in 33 games last season. He will attend Boston College.
MacDonald: “With that big body and his skating ability, playmaking ability, we’re excited about what this kid could become down the road.”
SEVENTH ROUND
Steven Lorentz, forward, Peterborough, Ontario Hockey League
Need to know: Had 16 goals and 21 assists in 59 games last season.
MacDonald: “Late-bloomer. Sort of a hard-nosed, two-way player. When he was drafted into the OHL he was 5-9, 138. Now he’s 6-2 and 190.”
This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 9:52 PM with the headline "A look at the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2nd-day draft picks."