"Steven took a big step forward this season with Peterborough, and has earned an opportunity to continue his development with our organization," said Francis.
Lorentz, 21, ranked tied for second among Peterborough Petes skaters with a career-high 29 goals during his fourth Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season in 2016-17. The Kitchener, Ont., native also established career highs in assists (32), points (61) and plus/minus (+12), serving as Peterborough's alternate captain and helping the Petes earn the top record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. Lorentz (6'4", 201 lbs.) ranks fourth in the league in playoff goals (9), despite having played just eight games in the first two rounds as Peterborough swept Niagara and Kingston to reach the Eastern Conference Final. Peterborough dropped Game 1 of its Eastern Conference Final series against Mississauga on Thursday, with Lorentz factoring on all three of the Petes' goals.
The Hurricanes' seventh-round selection, 186th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft, Lorentz is a finalist for the Ontario Hockey League's Leo Lalonde Trophy as the league's top overage player. He concluded his regular-season OHL career with 164 points (75g, 89a) in 247 games, all with Peterborough.
