Watch: Hurricanes rookie Noah Hanifin scores first career NHL goal
There haven’t been many bright spots for the Carolina Hurricanes this season, but Noah Hanifin has provided one reason to cheer.
The 18-year old Hanifin, the No. 5 pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft, has already solidified his spot on the Hurricanes’ defense this season. Through 14 games, he’s logged just under 17 minutes of average ice time per game, including logging over 20 minutes in two of his last three games.
And on Monday night, he’ll likely play with a little more jump in his step after notching his first NHL goal.
Hanifin fired one from the point early in the second period of the Canes’ matchup against the Anaheim Ducks to tie things up 1–1, before the Ducks eventually went on to win 4–1. The hulking defenseman is projected to have a long NHL career, and there will likely be many more goals in the future.
But for now, Hanifin will likely savor the moment.