The Carolina Hurricanes have brought back one of their best minor league players, re-signing Trevor Carrick to a one-year two-way contract worth $700K in the NHL. Carrick was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer. In the release, new GM Don Waddell explained that Carrick might not be a minor league player for long:
Trevor had another solid season in the AHL and continued to be a steady leader for the Checkers. We expect to have a competitive training camp, and he will be among the players who have opportunities to step up and earn time on the NHL level.
Selected in the fourth round in 2012, the 23-year old Carrick has become an outstanding puck-moving threat for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Posting seasons of 32, 42 and 44 points in his three seasons not affected by injury, the left-handed defenseman has earned a bit of attention from the NHL club. In three career NHL games, Carrick has zero points, but he could push for a bigger role if the Hurricanes trade some of their defensive depth this summer.
If not, Carrick will likely find himself in another leadership role on the Checkers. He wore an “A” as an alternate captain the last two seasons and if his future lies in the AHL long-term he may end up as captain one day. Luckily for the Hurricanes, Carrick was born on July 4th and won’t qualify for Group VI unrestricted free agency until the summer of 2020.