The Carolina Hurricanes have made Tuesday morning a family affair, agreeing to terms with both David Cotton and Jason Cotton to entry-level contracts. David Cotton, the younger of the two, has been inked to a two-year deal, while Jason Cotton gets just a one-year contract. Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell released a short statement on the deals:
David and Jason both had very productive senior seasons this year. We’ve been pleased with David’s progress over his four years at Boston College, and his brother Jason was recently named a Hobey Baker Award Finalist. We’re excited to see what they can accomplish at the professional level.
David Cotton, 22, was a sixth-round selection by the Hurricanes in 2015, but Jason Cotton, 25, went undrafted and is joining the Hurricanes from unrestricted free agency. Both players recently finished their senior seasons, captaining Boston College and Sacred Heart respectively.
At this point, it’s easy to imagine more upside from David Cotton, given that he is several years younger and had more sustained success at the collegiate level. In four years, the BC forward recorded 127 points in 148 games and was even named a Hockey East First Team All-Star in 2019. His older brother meanwhile recorded just 81 points in 118 games but was named a Hobey Baker nominee after scoring 20 goals this season.
Both players will likely try their hand at the AHL level first, giving a little more depth to a Charlotte Checkers team that saw several forwards leave town during the season.