The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Defense Prospect Austin Levi to a three year, Entry Level Contract.
Originally a 3rd round, 84th overall selection for the Hurricanes in the 2010 entry draft, Levi is not exactly a standout D in the crowded Carolina blueline. The Hurricanes have such youngsters as Ryan Murphy, Jamie McBain, Derek Joslin, and Justin Faulk on their blueline making it hard for Levi to work his way into the lineup, but not impossible. Levi is starting to prove his worth within the Plymouth Organization having 29 points (5 goals, 24 assists), 46 penalty minutes and +21 so far this year in 63 games while playing in his 4th season there.
Austin Levi is the 2nd player from the Whalers to be given this opportunity (the other being Scott Wedgewood). The Whalers currently hold 1st place in the OHL tied with the London Knights. Levi is ranked 27th among D-men for points, and is ranked 35th (tied) among all skaters for +/-.
It will be really interesting to see how far in the Hurricane Organization this 6-foot-3, 192 pound defenseman can go. Though I highly doubt he can really thrive with so many good young defensemen there.
Carolina signing rating: C+, great prospect, but a lot of great blueline prospects
FYI, Levi's 6'4" 205, and plays a completely different style from Murphy and Faulk. There's room and he will thrive as he adjusts to the new role.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get that information from? because all of mine say differently. Levi does have a different style then those TWO, but there are others such as McBain etc. and a different style doesn't mean you're more likely to go in. They have 4 Top defensive prospects in Faulk, Murphy, McBain, Joslin. Then add in the likes of Pitkanen, Spacek, Allen, Gleason and Harrison. I'm not saying it's impossible, I hope he can work his way in. I'm just saying that it is a big challenge he will need to overcome.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I get my information? Assuming you mean his height/weight, I got it from his OHL team's web site which has current info- the Canes and other sites haven't updated their info from last summer. As for the other sentence, it's just my opinion. I watched him play for a few years and he always rises to the occasion. I know Carolina's deep at the offensive d-man role, but they are light on shut-down defenseman which is what Levi is. It will be interesting to see if they continue to develop that side of him or if they round him out by developing his offensive side more.
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