Not only are we 19 days from the start of the 2026-27 season for the Carolina Hurricanes, but we’re also three days from the 2026 Prospect Showcase. On Sept. 8, the Hurricanes announced their prospect roster and schedule, as the showcase will take place from Sept. 13-15 at Lane Arena in Morrisville, NC. That said, which three players should fans watch?
Bradly Nadeau
It’s no surprise that forward Bradly Nadeau will be the number one prospect to watch at the showcase. With Seth Jarvis out for four to six months after shoulder surgery, everyone will focus on Nadeau. During the 2025-26 season with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL), he tallied 27 goals and 56 points in 52 games. He followed that up with seven goals and 17 points in 21 games, en route to a Calder Cup Final appearance.
Nadeau also played 12 games with the Hurricanes last season, tallying three goals over two different call-up stints. While he is one of the top prospects to watch overall, the next couple of weeks could be a pivotal build-up to the 2026-27 season. Depending on how training camp and the four preseason games go, Nadeau could have a couple of months in Carolina to showcase that he is ready to be a full-time NHLer. To do so, the first stop will be the 2026 Prospect Showcase.
Charlie Cerrato
Another player to watch is forward Charlie Cerrato. After two seasons with Penn State, the Hurricanes announced that they had signed him to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC). During his two seasons with the Nittany Lions, Cerrato tallied 15 goals and 42 points in 38 games during his freshman season (2024-25) and seven goals and 27 points in 23 games in his sophomore season. He finished his collegiate career with 22 goals and 69 points in 61 games.
Penn State forward Charlie Cerrato (Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images)
He played in one Calder Cup Playoff game and had zero points on a professional tryout with the Wolves after finishing his collegiate career with Penn State. Heading into the 2026-27 season, Cerrato could be someone that head coach Spiros Anastas slots into the second-line center position. It’ll be his first professional season, and one to watch as Cerrato looks to prove himself as hopefully part of the next Hurricanes core.
Filip Ekberg
The last player to watch at the upcoming showcase is Swedish forward Filip Ekberg. During his first season with the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he finished with 16 goals and 45 points in 53 games. The 221st overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft followed that up with 24 goals and 46 points in 59 games. In the 2026 OHL Playoffs, Ekberg had three goals and eight points in nine games.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, The Hockey Writers wrote that Ekberg was one to watch for Hurricanes prospects. Turned out to be right, as he had a stellar second season in North America. Before the 2025 Prospect Showcase in Wesley Chapel, FL, Ekberg’s hockey IQ was something fans should watch, as it was very underrated. Furthermore, his speed was another facet of his game that could translate whether it was with the 67s or eventually within the Hurricanes organization.
As we head into the 2026 Prospect Showcase, there are plenty of players to watch over the two games in three days. Felix Unger Sorum and Nadeau could be in the mix for the open spot on the roster with Jarvis out. Fans can see what Cerrato can do on the ice before his first full season as a pro. Plus, they can see how Wolves head coach Spiros Anastas works well with the young guys. Whether fans are at Lane Arena or watching on the Hurricanes website, the Prospect Showcase is a must-watch event.
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