The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing in college standout Stiven Sardarian from the Buffalo Sabres. Will he make an impact on the AHL team early enough to the point where he can throw on the Canes sweater at some point next season?
The Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes just acquired from the Buffalo Sabres, former Univeristy of New Hampshire, and Michigan Tech forward Stiven Sardarian. The other part of the deal is left up to future considerations and brings in a high-upside play for the Hurricanes’ farm system.
He was just assigned to the AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves after a very good college career, where he saw consistent growth year to year.
His freshman year in New Hampshire he had seven points in 29 games, fast forward to last season he had 12 goals and 44 points in 37 games for Michigan Tech. Initially drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Sabres, the St.Petersburg, Russia native is set to play his first pro season ever. Sardarian was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 2026 Forward of the Year and to the first all-star team after leading the league in points and assists.
He spent his draft year in the MHL before making the jump to the USHl for the Youngstown Phantoms where he had 25 points in 46 games.
His two seasons with Michigan Tech he led the team in points both times: The first season the next closest to him on the team was eight points behind, and last season the gap was nine points. This goes to show just how good he was, and how his game fit the college style.
Sardarian is joining a Wolves roster who just lost in the Calder Cup finals to the Toronto Marlies, and with the Hurricanes being as stacked as they are, the AHL team won’t see too much of a drop off.
If he’s to play any games with Carolina, he would be the first Michigan Tech alumnus to play in their organization since relocating from Hartford. Carolina also proves once again that they love taking a chance on high talent, and while some teams have faded russian talent, Carolina is the last to shy away from them.
