Anyone wondering about Mike Vellucci's influence in moving to the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes didn't have to wait very long.
The Carolina Hurricanes selected Plymouth goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic in the second round (37th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, held Saturday at Wells Fargo Center is Philadelphia.
Later, the Hurricanes took Plymouth defenseman Josh Wesley in the fourth round (96th overall).
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Not only is Nedeljkovic well known by Vellucci, but also by new Carolina general manager Ron Francis and Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos.
Nedeljkovic - rated fourth among North American goaltender for the NHL Draft - was part of a run of goaltenders in draft as the second round progressed. Mason MacDonald (Charlottetown, QMJHL) went 34th overall to Calgary, Boston College goaltender Thatcher Demko went 36th to Vancouver and then Nedeljkovic.
Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
VIDEO - NHL Network analyzes Carolina's selection of Nedeljkovic.
VIDEO - Nedeljkovic in the media scrum. Nedeljkovic one-on-one for Canes' TV.
VIDEO - Josh Wesley's Road to the NHL. Wesley one-on-one for Canes' TV.
Video courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.
PRINT - George Sipple speaks with Carolina Hurricanes Assistant GM Mike Vellucci about the Whalers selected in the 2014 NHL Draft:
"Five players from the Plymouth Whalers were drafted today, including two who will be reunited with former Whalers coach/general manager Mike Vellucci.
Peter Karmanos Jr., who owns both the Hurricanes and Whalers, hired Vellucci to be Carolina’s new assistant general manager and director of hockey operations.
The Hurricanes selected Whalers goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic in the second round (37th overall) and Whalers defenseman Josh Wesley in the fourth round (96th overall).
It’s a bit of homecoming for Wesley, who played for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes in 2011-2012. Wesley’s father, Glen, helped the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006 and had his No. 2 retired by the team in 2009.
“With Ned, we think he’s the top goalie at the draft and felt fortunate to get him,” Vellucci said during a phone interview from Philadelphia. “He’s proved it the last two years and I’ve been able to see it firsthand.”
Right wing Connor Chatham was selected in the third round (71st overall) by the New Jersey Devils. Four picks later, Alex Peters went to the Dallas Stars.
PRINT - "Fire On Ice" blog profiles Chatham.
VIDEO - Chatham is interviewed by New Jersey Devils TV. Courtesy of New Jersey Devils.
VIDEO - Dallas Stars TV interviews Peters. Courtesy of the Dallas Stars
Left wing Matt Mistele was taken by the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings in the sixth round (180th overall).
