Soo Greyhounds

After going undrafted and not hearing his name be called in this year’s National Hockey League draft, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds superstar Sergey Tolchinsky has been locked up by the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Canes announced today that they agreed to terms with the star caliber forward for a three year entry level contract. Tolchinsky impressed the Canes brass so much that the terms of the deal are as follows. According to NHL.com, the deal will pay Tolchinsky $550,000 at the NHL level or $55,000 at the American Hockey League level in the first year, $550,000 in the NHL or $67,500 in the AHL in the second year, and $575,000 in the NHL or $67,500 in the AHL in the third year. He will also receive a signing bonus of $150,000.

The Hurricanes weren’t the only team on Tolchinsky’s radar. Tolchinsky attended both Carolina and the New York Rangers’ prospect development camp back in July. It was Jim Rutherford who saw the spark on the ice and cemented the deal.

Rod Brind'Amour lifts the Stanley Cup for Carolina's first win. — Rod Brind’Amour lifts the Stanley Cup for Carolina’s first win.

Last season the 5’8” Russia native notched 51 points in 62 games and was an integral part of the Greyhounds playoff run. Sault Ste. Marie will be sad to see such a powerhouse go but at the same time they should be proud of what they developed.

Whether Tolchinsky starts this season off with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL or with the big club of the NHL is yet to be seen but one thing is for certain: Tolchinsky is a storm brewing in Carolina.

Soo Greyhounds Sergey Tochinsky did not get to hear his name get called in June at the National Hockey League Entry Draft. Despite being rated at number 56 by some scouting specialists, Tochinsky sat in wait. He did not let that get the better of him though.

Instead of moping around about not getting called, Tolchinsky made an impressive mark at the New York Rangers prospect development camp. Signing to a tryout agreement with both the Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes, Tolchinsky was making head’s shake with both teams wondering why he was left unchosen. Although the likes of both teams offering out a 3 year entry level contract seem slim, he’s still making his mark.

Tolchinsky would only be able to be signed to the clubs that signed him to the tryout contracts. Out of both New York and Carolina, Carolina would seem a better fit as they are forming into a somewhat of a young team. If I were Jim Rutherford though, I wouldn’t extend an offer and here’s why.

Tolchinsky only has one year of OHL play under his belt. At only 5’8’ and 160 pounds, he’s still going to fill out. Another year with the Greyhounds would help him out tremendously and only increase his draft ranking for next year. In 62 games last year he amassed 51 points and he won’t defect to Russia which seems to be the ordeal of the day. He’s been training in North America since he was 12 so he’s going to stick around for a while. Give him that extra year to mold into something spectacular. He might give Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad and Connor McDavid a run for their money. Who knows?

The Soo Greyhounds start the 2013-2014 season off on Friday, September, 20^th as they head to Sudbury to take on the Wolves.