The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the most active teams today signing Skyler Brind’Amour to an entry-level contract earlier today and making 21 roster cuts. The organization announced another three-year entry-level signing with defenseman Bryce Montgomery who will make $854.9K at the NHL level and $55K in the AHL.
Montgomery, a product of the OHL’s London Knights, was drafted by the Hurricanes with the 170th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. He focuses solely on physicality and the defensive side of the game with only two goals and eight points in 84 OHL contests.
He spent last season playing for Carolina’s ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, where his offensive play did pick up. He scored four goals and 12 points in 42 games finishing with a +4 rating.
Penalties have been an issue for Montgomery in the past with 70 PIMs in the OHL and 70 PIMs in the USHL in only 48 games. He appeared to be more disciplined throughout his time in the ECHL which may have led Carolina to signing this contract. He’s a large defenseman at 6’5″ and 231 pounds but needed to control his size more to make his way up the pipeline.
He will start the season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and should play a bottom-pairing role with another spot on the team’s penalty kill. It will take some time before Montgomery could potentially make the Hurricanes’ roster full-time but he will first look to earn his stripes in the AHL.
The south carolina stingrays are Washington’s ECHL affiliate, Carolina was affiliated with Norfolk last season.