NBer inks deal, practises with NHL's Carolina Hurricanes

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After an exceptional rookie season at the University of Maine, Bradly Nadeau is moving on, skating one step closer to the National Hockey League.

The 18-year-old St. Francois de Madawaska native inked a three-year entry level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on the weekend, ending his brief but excellent university career and setting the stage for a possible NHL debut in the final games of the current regular season.

He skated with the team in practice on Monday in Raleigh, N.C., before travelling to Boston for Tuesday’s game against the Bruins.

“Just getting used to it is going to be the biggest thing,” Nadeau told Carolina reporters after practice on Monday. “Getting involved and seeing how it is as a pro athlete and getting used to that routine is going to be really important for me.

“It is fun being here and getting started.”

The deal is a three-year, entry-level contract and Nadeau will receive $855,000 at the NHL level in 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26. He will earn $82,500 in the American Hockey League if he plays there during the next three seasons.

“Obviously, it is a step above college but as you go up in hockey, there is always another step but everyone here is bigger and stronger so that is another thing for me to do as well when I am here,” Nadeau said.

The contract will include a signing bonus of $285,000, which is generally divided out in yearly instalments in each of the three seasons.

“Bradly is a dynamic forward with a powerful shot,” said Carolina GM Don Waddell in a press release. “He had a very impressive season at Maine, and we’re excited to see his development continue in professional hockey.”

Nadeau was taken in the first round of last summer’s NHL draft, 30th overall, after he was named player of the year in the British Columbia Hockey League.

He committed to the University of Maine with his brother Josh and they helped advance the Bears to their first NCAA Tournament and Hockey East Championship weekend appearance since 2011-12. Bradly was a Hobey Baker Award nominee.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour called Nadeau a special player who is in the mix to get into action in the final games of the season.

“They are the future for us, but if they can help us anytime soon, that is a bonus for us,” Brind’Amour said of Nadeau and another recently signed player, Scott Morrow. “For them, it is getting to know what we are about and for us, it is seeing what they need to improve. They are going to be big parts of the future for sure.”

Nadeau registered 46 points on 19 goals and 37 assists in 37 NCAA games with the Black Bears, which earned him a nod as a second team all-star as well as a berth on the conference’s all-rookie team. His points totals were the most by a Maine player since 2011-12 and marked the first time a Maine rookie eclipsed the 40-point mark since 2006-07.

“They play a harder style game in college hockey and that is what I wanted to do as a smaller player to get used to that,” said the five-foot-10 Nadeau. “That year I was there really helped me with that.”

Among all NCAA Division I first-year players, Nadeau ranked tied for fifth in goals, sixth in points and tied for sixth in assists.

Last season, with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, Nadeau picked up 113 points in 54 games and was named the regular season and playoff most valuable player.

His contract begins immediately but since he was not included on the organization’s list at the American Hockey League trade deadline, he is not eligible.

Nadeau was at the Hurricanes game Sunday after inking his deal with the team. He is rooming with Morrow.

“It is always easier when there is someone there,” Nadeau said. “I am living with him and we have been talking a lot and been together. That makes it easier for sure.”

Also, his contact, in effect, starts next season as it is considered a rookie sliding deal – meaning as long as he does not play 10 NHL games, the contract slides to next season.

At hockeywriters.com, the site is quoted as saying that since he is on a standard player contract and was not in the AHL by the trade deadline, he is not eligible to be reassigned this season. Therefore, Nadeau will remain with the Hurricanes for the rest of the season and will most likely be a black ace or practice player for depth during the 2024 NHL Playoffs.

Next year, his options include the NHL, the AHL or even the QMJHL, where his rights are held by the Rimouski Oceanic, who are hosting the 2025 Memorial Cup.

“Our staff is excited for Bradly to continue to chase his dream of playing in the NHL,” said Maine head coach Ben Barr in a press release. “Carolina is fortunate to not only have a great player, but a great teammate and person joining their organization. Bradly’s year in Orono was memorable and Black Bear Nation was fortunate to watch Bradly’s development this past season. Bradly will always be a Black Bear!”

Prior to skating for two seasons in Penticton, Nadeau was a member of the Fredericton Office Interior Caps Under 18 AA program and before that, skated two seasons with the Northwest Bulls in the then New Brunswick AAA Bantam Hockey League.