After a great freshman season at the University of Maine, Bradley Nadeau, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes last Sunday, said his desire to play at a higher level was in the cards after college. He said that this led to his decision to quit university. Only one year.
Nadeau, a first-round draft pick out of Carolina who was selected 30th overall last summer, said the Hurricanes allowed him to decide on his future.
“They called me after the season and said it was up to me to make the decision (to stay or leave),” Nadeau told reporters virtually after the Hurricanes' practice Thursday at Invisalign Arena in Morrisville, North Carolina. He spoke at a press conference.
“Being around better players and practicing with them is good for me and my growth as a player,” said Nadeau, who played left wing at the University of Maine and is practicing with the Hurricanes this week. ” he said.
He said it was a “difficult decision” to keep Meine and his linemate, older brother Josh, who was the team's second-leading scorer by just one point.
The 5-foot-10, 172-pound Nadeau was a second-team All-Hockey East and Rookie-team selection, as well as an All-New England selection, with 19 goals and 27 assists in 37 games, while his younger brother Josh had 18 goals and an All-New England selection. Recorded 27 assists. 27 assists. Josh was named to the All-Hockey East Third Team.
Bradley Nadeau said the main team, which advanced to the Hockey East semifinals and NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2011-12 season, is like “a family.”
But he added that he must “move forward” and do what's best for his career in order to reach his ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.
“I'm happy to be able to play with them for a year,” said Nadeau, who turns 19 on May 5. He said, “Our success as a team has helped us perform on the ice.” The further we got (in the playoffs), the better teams we played against and playing against good players really helped me get to where I am today. ”
The Hurricanes have stocked up on forwards who can score a lot of points this season.
They acquired Jake Guentzel, who scored 20 points seven times, in a trade with Pittsburgh, and Evgeny Guentzel, who scored 32 points and scored 20 points four times in the 2017-18 playoffs with the Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals. They signed Kuznetsov as a free agent.
He is also one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, along with Russian second-round draft pick Gleb Trikozov and fourth-round draft pick Kutter Gauthier of Boston University and Macklin Celebrini of Boston University. He also signed Jackson Blake from the University of North Dakota.
Nadeau is the youngest of the three. Blake is 21 years old and Trikozov is 19 and will turn 20 in August.
Coach Nadeau said he's not worried about adding four forwards.
“It's always fun to see them sign,” Nadeau said. “Obviously you want to see the team succeed. It's fun to be around guys like that.
“Let's see what happens next year,” Nadeau added.
He enjoys practicing with his team.
“It's a challenge. Obviously these players are better, faster and better goaltenders (than the college players),” Nadeau said. “It’s fun to gain experience and grow as a player.”
