Rachel Barkley
Monday, news broke that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Noel Gunler would not re-sign with the Hurricanes and would instead return to play for the Swedish Hockey League, per Swedish news outlet Expressen.
According to the report, Gunler has agreed to play for Djurgardens IF, where he will take a prominent role. The Stockholm-based club is tied second for most championship titles in the league with six.
Prior to the rumored decision, Expressen reports that Lulea HF, for whom he previously played for, had expressed interest in a reunion.
Noel Gunler Expected to End Journey With Hurricanes After Four Years
Gunler was drafted by the Hurricanes during the second round, 41st overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 2022, his first year stateside, he won the Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves alongside the likes of Pyotr Kochetkov and Jalen Chatfield.
Throughout his time with the Wolves thus far, he has scored 42 goals and 48 assists for 88 total points.
However, despite a strong playing ability and scoring totals improving each year, he was marred with setbacks from injuries and ultimately failed to make an NHL appearance.
Currently, the Wolves are second in the AHL’s Central Division and are expected to make the playoffs.
