Carolina Hurricanes select Jayden Perron with No. 94 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

The Carolina Hurricanes have selected forward Jayden Perron with the No. 94 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Perron spent his draft year with the powerhouse Chicago Steel program in the USHL. He was terrific down the stretch after a slower stretch around Christmastime, ultimately leading the Steel in assists and helping the team finish the season with the USHL’s second-best record.

The five-foot-nine center scored 24 goals and 72 points in 61 games with the Steel during the 2022–23 USHL season, finishing fourth in team scoring. The Winnipeg product added four goals and two assists in six playoff games with Chicago. He’s committed to begin attending the University of North Dakota next season.

Perron is the latest addition to a Canes prospect pool that also includes Bradly Nadeau and others. The Canes used their 2023 first-round selection on Nadeau in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Carolina does not possess another pick in the third round. Barring any additional moves, the Canes will be back on the clock with the No. 126 pick in the fourth round.

Daily Faceoff‘s Steven Ellis ranked Perron as the No. 57 prospect available in this year’s draft. Here’s what he had to say about Perron in his final 2023 NHL Draft Rankings:

“Perron is one of the best passers in the draft, and his hot second half definitely helped his first-round case. Many scouts were hoping to see him end the regular season on a high note, and he’s been one of Chicago’s best players. But will scouts overlook his 5-foot-9 frame? I’m not sure he’s rounded enough to play outside the top six. So there’s some risk, but a chance for high reward.”

The Hurricanes finished the 2022–23 regular season with a 52-21-9 record and 113 points in 82 games, enough to finish first in the x Division and second in the league.