At 17, Hanifan became the youngest player to suit up for Boston College, and a year later he became the only defenseman from the 2015 NHL Draft to start the season in the NHL that fall when he made his Carolina Hurricanes debut against Nashville on Oct. 8.
Hanifan, drafted in the first round (No. 5) by Carolina, scored his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 16, 2015 and became a regular on the Hurricanes blue line.
At 17, Hanifan became the youngest player to suit up for Boston College, and a year later he became the only defenseman from the 2015 NHL Draft to start the season in the NHL that fall when he made his Carolina Hurricanes debut against Nashville on Oct. 8.
Hanifan, drafted in the first round (No. 5) by Carolina, scored his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 16, 2015 and became a regular on the Hurricanes blue line.
A product of the Saint Sebastian's School in Needham, Mass., Hanifin passed on an opportunity to play junior hockey for Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and instead honored a commitment he made in 2011 to play for Boston College.
During his only season with the Eagles, Hanifin played in 37 of 38 games and had five goals, 18 assists and a plus-12 rating that helped BC finish tied for second with eventual national champion Providence in Hockey East.
Hanifin captained the United States to a gold medal at the 2014 U-17 World Hockey Challenge and won gold again at the 2014 World Under-18 Championship.
