Nadeau hoping to make name for himself with Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Bradly Nadeau arrived at Carolina Hurricanes development camp earlier this month with a low profile but a sparkling resume.

Selected by the Hurricanes with the No. 30 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old forward prospect had 113 points (45 goals, 68 assists) in 54 games for Penticton of the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League last season. Though he may have lacked the exposure of his peers in major junior hockey, his journey is right on track.

"I try not to think about things like that," Nadeau said. "Obviously, now the draft is over so it's just the start from here. I'll go to college next year and see how that season goes and build out from there."

Nadeau will play at the University of Maine alongside his 19-year-old brother, Josh, who also attended Carolina's development camp as an invitee. The two were teammates at Penticton the past two seasons.

The Hurricanes are counting on the younger Nadeau to continue his development as an offensive threat. In addition to his 45 goals during in the regular season, he added 17 in 17 playoff games.

"This was basically my first real look at what he's all about," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He comes as advertised. You can see how skilled he is, how quick he is. He can rip the puck too. I'm real excited about that one.

"(He's) going to be a special player, and I love where he's going. He's going to start in the college game, which I think is a great development game. They're practicing and getting in the gym, doing all the things that can help them get to this level."

Nadeau also emphasized the importance of developing as a player in college.

"Getting stronger, that's going to be a big part of my game," said Nadeau (5-foot-10, 161 pounds). "Being in college, being more in the gym, that's going to help me."

Though his offensive game is a clear strength, Nadeau knows he will need to round out his game at Maine.

"I think my shooting is a thing I'm pretty good at and also seeing the ice," he said. "In the BCHL, I didn't play in the defensive zone a lot, so I didn't learn much. But that's something in college I will learn more, and getting stronger is going to be another one."

Nadeau is comfortable playing either wing. A right shot, he played his natural side growing up before two seasons at left wing with Penticton. Now on track on a career with the Hurricanes, he identified right-shot forward Seth Jarvis as a player whose game he admires.

"I want to bring my skating to his level," Nadeau said. "I like watching him because he's also a smaller player, so I can learn a lot watching him play."

With college hockey on the horizon, he said he will take his time letting the future unfold.

"It's going to take the time it's going to take," Nadeau said. "I don't want to rush it. When I come here, I want to be ready. I don't have a timeline in mind, and I'll see how everything goes."