Andrei Svechnikov signs contract with Hurricanes in front of fans

The Carolina Hurricanes wasted no time in locking down their player of the future, and they made sure to let their fans know that the future is coming soon.

The Carolina Hurricanes have locked down 2018 second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov to a three-year entry level contract eight days, and the signing happened in front of an estimated 4,500 fans at PNC arena.

The Carolina Hurricanes lucked out the in the 2018 NHL Draft Lottery and moved up to the second overall pick in the 2018 Entry Draft, using that pick to draft the highly touted Andrei Svechnikov, and they wasted no time getting him under contract.

At the sixth annual Hurricanes Summerfest, season ticket holders are invited to PNC Arena in Raleigh to take part in several team events, but they were treated to a little surprise this year. Prior to the Hurricanes Prospect Game, Don Wadell and Rod Brind’Armour brought out Svechnikov during their discussion about the state of the team, and announced that they had his entry level contract ready to sign. Svechnikov signed the contract, officially making him a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, much to the pleasure of the 4,500 fans in attendance.

”This an exciting moment for our organization,” said Waddell about the signing. ”Andrei is the type of elite talent that you can build a team around. He has a bright future in a Carolina Hurricanes uniform.”

The three year entry level contract will $832,500 per season if Svechnikov makes the NHL and $70,000 at the the AHL level if he is sent down to the Charlotte Checkers. However, if Svechnikov doesn’t make the team out of camp this season, he will have to be sent back to Barrie Colts, and the contract will not begin until he plays ten games in the NHL. The contract will officially be recognized by the NHL on July 1st.

The contract terms are the exact same as the last two overall picks, Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets in 2016 and Nolan Patrick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017.

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The 18 year old Svechnikov is the figurehead of the Hurricanes attempt to retool their current roster, and is expected to make the Hurricanes right out of camp to make an immediate impact. Svechnikov was a top tier winger in the OHL with the Barrie Colts last season, scoring 40 goals and 72 points in in 44 games played.