2026 OHL In The System: Carolina Hurricanes

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played. 

Join us for the final edition of OHL in the System!

Today, we take a closer look at the Carolina Hurricanes’ prospect pool.

 

Ryder Fetterolf (G) – Ottawa 67’s (2025-26)

Selected: 4th Round, 125th Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 41 GP, 2.07 GAA, .923 SV%, 29-9-2-1

Age: 18

The first OHL goaltender selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, Ryder Fetterolf signed with the Ottawa 67’s as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2025-26 season and quickly emerged as one of the CHL’s top netminders during a historic rookie campaign. The Sewickley, Pa., native led the CHL in both goals-against average and save percentage, while his six shutouts established a new OHL rookie record for a single season. Named CHL Goaltender of the Year, Fetterolf became the first Ottawa 67’s player to receive the honour and just the second rookie or first-year CHL goaltender ever to win the award. He is committed to Penn State University for the 2026-27 season.

 

Zachary Jovanovski (G) – Guelph Storm (2024-26)

Selected: 6th Round, 165th Overall (2026)

OHL Career Stats: 71 GP, 3.48 GAA, .889 SV%, 31-30-4-3

Age: 18

The second OHL goaltender selected by the Hurricanes in the 2026 NHL Draft, Zachary Jovanovski appeared in 52 games with the Guelph Storm during the 2025-26 season, posting a 25-20-4 record, a 3.39 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage. The 6-foot-3 netminder is expected to backstop the Memorial Cup host Storm in 2026-27.

 

Filip Ekberg (LW) – Ottawa 67’s (2024-26)

Selected: 7th Round, 221st Overall (2025)

OHL Career Stats: 112 GP, 40G, 51A, 91 PTS, +24

Age: 19

Completing another productive season with the Ottawa 67’s, Filip Ekberg recorded 46 points (24-22–46) in 59 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign. The Uppsala, Sweden, native was recently named to Sweden’s roster for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase. He also starred at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, leading the tournament with 10 goals while recording 18 points in seven games.

 

Bryce Montgomery (D) – London Knights (2019-23)

Selected: 6th Round, 170th Overall (2021)

OHL Career Stats: 84 GP, 2G, 6A, 8 PTS, +5

Age: 23

Defenceman Bryce Montgomery split the 2025-26 season between the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and the ECHL’s Greensboro Gargoyles, recording four assists in 24 AHL games while adding five points (1-4–5) in 28 ECHL contests.

 

Evan Vierling (C) – Flint Firebirds (2018-20), Barrie Colts (2019-23)

Signed: Jul. 4, 2025

OHL Career Stats: 218 GP, 75G, 138A, 213 PTS, -15

Age: 24

During his first full professional season after signing with Carolina in 2025, Evan Vierling led Chicago’s rookies with 35 points (16-19–35) in 70 regular-season games before adding six points (1-5–6) en route to the Calder Cup finals. The Aurora, Ont., native also finished as the Wolves’ least penalized full-time player with just 12 penalty minutes.