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The Carolina Hurricanes may have missed badly on their 2009 first round draft pick (Philippe Paradis), but their second round pick seems to be quite the gem. A defensive prospect (not Ryan Murphy) named Brian Dumoulin should be in the forefront of every Hurricane fans mind (Danny Biega should be there too, but I’ll get to him at a later date.)

The young Carolina prospect has been getting defensive praise even before he began playing for Boston College. In the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Brian Dumoulin received the Defensive Player of the Year Honors for the 2008 – 2009 season.

The 2009 – 2010 season, as a freshman, the 6’3’’ defenseman played in all 42 games for Boston College. He scored one goal and picked up 21 assists, his +40 plus/minus record helped him capture the Bernie Burke Outstanding Freshman Award, Hockey East All – Rookie Team accolades, and gained All – Tournament honors at the NCAA Frozen Four. He capped off an amazing freshman year by winning the Beanpot title, the Hockey East regular season crown, and the Lamoriello Trophy as the league’s tournament champion

During his second season with Boston College, 2010 – 2011, Brian Dumoulin played in 37 games. He upped his goal total by two (3 goals on the season) and picked up a career high 30 assists. He ended the season as a +23, earned the Hockey East best Defenseman honor and Bob Monahan Award (as the top defenseman in New England.) Dumoulin earned the American Hockey Coaches Association All – American East first team honors and All – Hockey East First – Team recognition.

Brian Dumoulin was also selected to be a part of team U.S.A at the WJHC in Buffalo, where he won the Bronze medal in a 4 – 2 victory over team Sweden. Dumoulin finished the tournament with one assist, 2PIM, and a team high +4.

This season (which will possibly be his last at BC), Dumoulin played in 38 games. He scored a career high 6 goals and picked up 20 assists, finishing with a team leading +20. For the second year in a row Brian Dumoulin has been named the Hockey East Best Defenseman, is nominated for the Hobey Baker Award (which is given annually to the best college hockey player), and has All Hockey East First – Team recognition. It is still possible that Dumoulin will receive more awards, and recognition (for Tournament play, etc.) before this year is through, and if that’s the case I’ll be sure to update this post, but as it stands I believe that Hurricane fans should be very happy with some of the pieces that are in the pipeline.

The backend of this team is filling up to the point where certain players are going to become expendable in the near future. The Hurricanes have Tim Gleason (29) and Joni Pitkanen (28) locked up for the next four years, these two will be the veteran leadership for Jamie McBain (24) and Justin Faulk (19) who are already eating up big minutes in important situations. While many people believe that Ryan Murphy (18) will be the next young defensemen to make the team, I believe that the race is currently between Brian Dumoulin (20) and Danny Biega (20).

I believe that we will see both Brian Dumoulin and Danny Biega (as long as they don’t opt to stay with their current programs) in Charlotte next season (I’ve already posted my thoughts on the path Ryan Murphy will take.) It’s no secret that if you play hard enough in Charlotte you will eventually get a call up to Raleigh (ask the undrafted Jerome Samson) and I think there are very good odds that we will see one of these young guys called up at some point throughout next season.

Your Call: Will we see Dumoulin with the Hurricanes or Checkers next season?

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