When the Carolina Hurricanes selected Justin Poirier in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, attention was drawn to his achievement as the first 17-year-old to score 50 goals in the QMJHL since Sidney Crosby. Despite facing injuries last season, Poirier impressed with a 43-goal campaign, totaling 210 points in 181 junior games.
Instead of returning to the Maritimes where he had little left to prove, Poirier will face a new challenge this fall by entering college hockey. The evolving landscape of NIL in NCAA now allows Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to transition to college hockey, a move previously prohibited. This shift is expected to lead CHL towards younger talent and enable some players to advance into a more professional college game.
Poirier is set to join the University of Maine for stronger competition against older players. “I spoke with my agent, with (Canes Development Coach Kevin McCarthy), the other coaches here, the development guys, and in order to be ready to play in the AHL or NHL one day, I have to play against older and bigger guys,” said Poirier at this month’s Development Camp.
He follows Bradly Nadeau’s path from Tier II junior hockey into professional ranks within a year. Poirier sees an advantage in NCAA’s shorter schedule compared to CHL’s 68-game format. “I’ll have more time to get in the gym and develop myself,” he noted.
Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour supports this new opportunity for prospects like Poirier: “It’s huge…The college game is just better than the junior level.”
Poirier aims to improve specific areas such as outside edge work and small-area plays while maintaining his strong work ethic. “I’m young…I’ve already created my own path,” he stated about choosing University of Maine for further development.
Appreciating feedback from his second Development Camp, Poirier plans on applying it during his college season before returning improved next summer. “You just want to be the best version…working hard is one of the keys,” concluded Poirier.
