Carolina Hurricanes franchise in disarray as multiple prospects refuse assignments

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Cooper Godin
October 16, 2023 (11:21)

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The Carolina Hurricanes entered the 2023-24 season with a bit of a problem - they have no American Hockey League affiliate.

This is because their previous AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, decided to go independent, leaving the Carolina Hurricanes as the only team with nowhere to send their prospects.

As the Hurricanes made cuts throughout training camp leading up to the start of the season, they either had to assign players to other AHL teams or send them to European teams.

Carolina has a working agreement with the East Coast Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals, but according to Tony Androckitis, several Hurricanes prospects refused to play for them.

Androckitis also mentioned that one of those prospects, 2020 second-round pick Noel Gunler, has decided to head back overseas and will spent the entire 2023-24 season with Karpat in Finland's top division, Liiga.

"Hearing that several of the players Carolina tried to send to ECHL-Norfolk refused to report.

Looks like Noel Gunler is returning overseas as this release from Karpat states he'll be there the rest of this season.

What a mess for the Hurricanes org."

This must be frustrating for the Carolina Hurricanes as they weren't left with much time this summer to find a new American Hockey League franchise to partner with. It appears that the Hurricanes will have a new affiliate next season, likely through expansion, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet from either the Hurricanes, the National Hockey League or the American Hockey League.