Carolina Hurricanes
· 2026-06-28
The Carolina Hurricanes selected Swedish defender William Hakansson with their first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Hakansson was chosen 51st overall after the Hurricanes traded down twice.
The Hurricanes made their first selection in the second round, opting for the 18-year-old blueliner.
Hakansson split time playing between the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan.
He's a well-regarded skater for his size, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 216lb.
Hakansson's defensive game is one of the best in the draft, according to The Hockey News.
The Hockey News ranked him as the 69th best prospect in the draft.
Hakansson will join a Hurricanes team that's coming off a strong season, currently standing 1st in the Eastern Conference with a 53-22 record.
The Hurricanes won their last game 0-3 against the Vegas Golden Knights on June 15, 2026.
And Hakansson is looking forward to getting started with his new team.
He told media in Buffalo that he's happy to be selected by the Hurricanes.
Hakansson's family was with him when he was drafted, and he said it was a fun moment to share with them.
But Hakansson wasn't drafted in the first round, which didn't bother him.
He said it's the work after the draft that matters most.
So the Hurricanes will be looking to see how Hakansson develops in the coming seasons.
Hakansson's size and skating ability make him an attractive prospect for the Hurricanes.
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Over 150,000 fans swarmed to Raleigh for the championship parade.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the 2026 Stanley Cup Champions.