Noah Hanifin

History

2012-13: Noah Hanifin split time between St. Sebastian’s School and the Cape Cod Whalers U18 squad. Hanifin played in 28 games for St. Sebastian’s, scoring 10 goals and adding 24 assists for 34 points. In 10 games for the Whalers, he scored 1 goal and added 2 assists for 3 points. Hanifin was chosen in the second round, 26th overall, of the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Remparts. Hanifin had committed to Boston College back in October of 2011.

2013-14: Hanifin elected to join the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) before heading to Boston College in the Fall of 2014. In 31 USHL games, he scored 6 goals and notched 14 assists for 20 points along with 20 penalty minutes. Hanifin captained the USDP’s U17 program, where he scored 8 goals and added 24 assists for 32 points in 45 games. He also played for the USDP’s U18 squad, scoring 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 14 games. Hanifin captained Team USA at the 2013-14 World U17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 6 games for the gold medal-winning team. Hanifin also won gold with the USA at the 2014 U18 World Championship, scoring 1 goal and adding 4 assists for 5 points in 7 games.

2014-15: Hanifin skated for Boston College as a freshman and represented the USA at the 2015 World Junior Championship in Canada. Skating in 37 of 38 games for the Eagles, he was the second-leading scorer amongst defensemen with 5 goals and 18 assists (two points behind Panthers’ prospect Michael Matheson) and was +12 with 16 penalty minutes. BC finished tied with eventual national champion Providence for second in Hockey East, receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA East Regional. The Eagles lost, 5-2, to Denver in the semifinals. Paired with Eagles’ teammate Ian McCoshen (Florida) for much of the WJC tournament, Hanifin was +3 and had 2 assists in 5 games as the USA finished fifth, losing 3-2 to Russia in the quarterfinals. He took part in the 2014 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game that took place in Buffalo, NY, where he played for Team Olczyk. Hanifin was ranked third among North American skaters in the Central Scouting midterm and final rankings and was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round (fifth overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft. The Hurricanes signed him to a three-year entry-level contract in July 2015. 

Talent Analysis

Hanifin is arguably the best defensive prospect in hockey. His combination of size, skill, defensive acumen and maturity are rarely found in an 18-year-old, and after a successful season at Boston College he opted to turn pro and begin his career. Hanifin is not overly physical, but is a capable positional defender. The only true question surrounding him is what kind of point producer he will be down the road, but regardless he should evolve into a top pairing defenseman that can be relied on in all situations and in all three zones.

Future

With his collegiate career behind him, Hanifin is looking to make his way to the Hurricanes as soon as possible. There will be an opportunity in training camp for him to earn a spot on Carolina’s defense, perhaps even in the top four, but the team has stated they will not rush their prized prospect and will groom him in the AHL if needed.With his collegiate career behind him, Hanifin is looking to make his way to the Hurricanes as soon as possible. There will be an opportunity in training camp for him to earn a spot on Carolina’s defense, perhaps even in the top four, but the team has stated they will not rush their prized prospect and will groom him in the AHL if needed.