Hurricanes recall top forward prospect for season opener

The Carolina Hurricanes will get one of their top forward prospects into the lineup for their regular season opener on Friday. The organization announced they have recalled Jackson Blake from their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves while sending recently signed defenseman Bryce Montgomery the other way.

Blake has become a ’diamond in the rough’ find for Carolina with the team selecting him with the 109th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. His play came to life at the University of North Dakota with 38 goals and 102 points in 79 contests. 

The Hurricanes quickly signed Blake to his entry-level contract last spring after tying for fourth in the NCAA in scoring and finishing third in Hobey Baker Award voting.

He should find a consistent role in Carolina’s middle-six to start the year with the team losing so much forward depth over the summer. The Hurricanes still need a more reliable winger to put next to Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis on the top line which could be Blake’s if he adjusts well to the NHL. 

He finished his first preseason in Carolina with one goal and two points in four contests.

AHL Chicago was always the likely landing spot for Montgomery after the team signed him to his entry-level contract Monday. He appeared in 48 last year for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays scoring four goals and 12 points overall. 

He’s a big defenseman standing at 6-foot-5, 231lbs, and should bring a lot of physicality and roughness to the Wolves back end this season.