Exclusive: Hurricanes’ Bradly Nadeau Using Past Experiences to Build Pro Career

Heading into the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2026 Training Camp, attention has been on Bradly Nadeau as the third-year pro seeks to take the next step in his career. Following night one of the NHL Draft, it was floated that Nadeau could get a longer look with the Hurricanes, as Seth Jarvis‘ return could be between late October and early December. After both practices on Friday, Sept. 18, The Hockey Writers talked with Nadeau one-on-one to see where his mindset is heading into the 2026-27 season.

Bouncing Back and Forth Between Chicago and Carolina

The 2025-26 season was a whirlwind for Nadeau, who saw two different stints with the Hurricanes over the course of the year. In the 12 games he played in the NHL, he tallied three goals. General manager Eric Tulsky stated that he looked more “acclimated” in his second stint with the team. With the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League (AHL), he scored 27 goals and tallied 56 points in 52 games. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Nadeau finished with seven goals and 17 points in 21 games.

Nadeau stated, when asked about his experience and perspective playing in the NHL and AHL last season, “It was really good. Obviously, when you’re in Chicago, you know you have the guys there, and you’re comfortable with those guys. And when you get those call-ups, obviously, it’s always good to experience that.”

He continued, “Obviously, playing with skilled guys and stuff in the NHL. That’s when you realize it’s so important, without the puck, finding the space to get the puck, and even then only be in those good spots. So it’s always good to get those opportunities when you get called up; you try to take the most of it, and you always learn from every call-up that you get.”

Calder Cup Final Run

It’s not often that an NHL team’s AHL affiliate makes the Calder Cup Final, but last season it was possible for the Hurricanes and the Wolves. While the Hurricanes went on to win the Stanley Cup, the Wolves became Western Conference Champions after defeating the Texas Stars, Grand Rapids Griffins, and the Colorado Eagles.

It was an exciting time for both teams as they kept up with each others’ repsective runs in the postseason. For Nadeau, his 17 points in the playoffs for the Wolves were a huge step in his own progression, along with the team as well. He went from zero points in two games in the 2025 Playoffs to 17 in 2026.

When asked about the experience of that Calder Cup Final journey, Nadeau stated, “Every time you get a chance to go deep in the playoffs like that, it’s always a good experience… It’s when you get into the playoffs like that; it’s to adjust to the other team. You’re gonna see them over and over for a few games.”

He continued, “So if you can adjust to what they do and what you know to kind of shut them down, or what you can do against them to get success, I think it’s huge to go through that and learn. Like, as you’re going through that, it’s always fun to play in April, May, June there. So that was a bonus.”

Building His Game from Penticton to Now

Wherever he has stopped, Nadeau has found a way to be an impactful player. From his final year in Penticton, tallying 113 points in 54 games, to his lone year at the University of Maine (46 points in 37 games), to now entering his third professional season, he keeps improving his skill set. Over the last few seasons, the Hurricanes have found ways to help their prospects grow their game and become successful.

For Nadeau, it’s the coaching staffs at every stop that have helped him grow his game. Even now, he knows there is more preparation on and off the puck he has to do to become even better. It’s about going 1-0 every day and sharpening the skills to be the player he wants to be.

“We had a really good coaching staff along the way, so I was fortunate to learn a lot going through, you know, in Penticton, in Maine. I’ve seen Chicago as well. Without the puck, it’s a bit harder in juniors. You feel like you play a little more with the puck. So that was the first few years of pro.

I’ve been focusing a lot on that, but no, as I said, I was fortunate to have those coaching staff and players along the way that have helped me to get through here. And you know, it’s been a good journey, but obviously, it’s just the start of it.”

Mindset After Two Days at Camp Heading Into 2026-27 Season

Like the NHL guys, the Hurricanes prospects know that last season was last season. Whatever happened in 2025-26 is done with; now the focus is on the upcoming 2026-27 season. While Nadeau and the Wolves made the Calder Cup Final last season, it’s that next step. Even if he does split time between the Hurricanes and Wolves again, nothing changes in his preparation.

With another possible season of influx for Nadeau, he seems prepared to take that on. “I think that was, you know, as soon as the season ends, that’s where the mindset starts. You have to come to camp ready. So the off-season was a grind, you know, to get ready for camp and obviously rookie games here, get going again, get the legs under and stuff.

And now the main camp, we’ve had to practice, and it’s not the worst thing, just play. And obviously, if you work hard, the good things are going to come. So it’s just to really focus on that and see where it goes.”

It’ll be an interesting 2026-27 season for Nadeau as he looks to take another step in his career. While he is one of the possible players to replace Jarvis in the interim while he recovers, Nadeau looks to control what he can control. Regardless of where he starts, the end goal is always the same: make it to the NHL one day and be successful. If he begins with the Wolves, head coach Spiros Anastas will have him and the rest of the team ready for the upcoming AHL season.