Carolina Hurricanes sign Griffin Mendel to one-year, entry-level contract
The Carolina Hurricanes improved their defensive depth by signing Griffin Mendel to a one-year, entry-level contract on Monday.
The #Canes have signed Griffin Mendel to a one-year, entry-level contract.
The 6-foot-6, 220 lbs. defenseman played 72 games in the American Hockey League last year, his first full pro season.https://t.co/1990KPxiWa
The 6 ‘6 blue-liner played 72 games in 2022-2023 for Carolina’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
Mendel joined the Wolves on an amateur tryout contract near the end of the 2021-2022 season and has done well enough in Chicago not only to stick around on a full-time basis but also to attract the attention of the NHL club.
Before signing with the Wolves, Mendel used all five years of college eligibility with high-level programs Denver and Quinnipiac; he transferred to the latter after four seasons with the Pioneers.
Mendel showed professional promise in an uncharacteristically poor season for Chicago, who missed the playoffs despite winning the Calder Cup in 2022. The defenseman was the only Wolf to play all 72 games and grew considerably on offense.
After notching just 35 points over five collegiate seasons, Mendel scored 9 goals and 19 points for Chicago. While those are hardly dominant numbers, adding offense to his massive frame would make Mendel an intriguing prospect for Carolina.
The Hurricanes have spent the early goings of free agency loading up for a title challenge; they signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov and winger Michael Bunting, two of the most coveted UFAs on the market, to lucrative deals in the hopes of getting over the hump in the Eastern Conference.
How GM Don Waddell and coach Rod Brind’Amour see Mendel fitting into their group is unclear, but the 23-year-old is doubtlessly joining one of 2023-2024’s Stanley Cup favorites.