BUFFALO, N.Y. – Spokane Chiefs’ forward Hudson Elynuik was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes today in the Third Round (74th Overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Elynuik, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound center from Calgary, Alberta, experienced a breakout season with the Chiefs last year, scoring 19 goals and 25 assists in 56 games. After a foot injury kept him sidelined early in the season, he turned heads after New Year’s Day with at least a point in 17 of 20 games beginning on January 9, including a 10-game point streak.

“We were sitting around the TV watching and my dad said ‘Hudson, I think they called your name.’ A couple seconds later we saw it on the screen,” Elynuik said, describing the moment he and his family learned he was drafted.

“I’ve never been to Carolina but I’ve watched them play in Calgary,” he added. “Zack Boychuk trains at the same gym as me so I know him a little and I played in the Brick (Hockey Invitational) Tournament with Noah Hanifin way back when I was 11, so that’s pretty neat.”

Elynuik has some family ties to the NHL as his father, Pat, was selected 8th Overall in the 1986 draft by the Winnipeg Jets (now Arizona Coyotes). Pat went on to play over 500 games in the NHL, punching in 154 goals and 342 points for the Jets, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators.

“I’m just so excited. All of us are.”

NOTES: The Hurricanes are coached by former Chiefs head coach Bill Peters. Former Chief and Spokane native Derek Ryan played six games for the Canes last season.

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Ticket packages for the Spokane Chiefs’ 2016-17 regular season – including Bud Light Opening Night on October 1 – are on sale now! With packages starting as low as $70, there’s a plan for any budget. Visit the Chiefs’ Ticket Office in person at the southeast corner of Spokane Arena, click here or call 509-535-PUCK for more information.