Hurricanes sign Noel Fransen to entry-level contract

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Noel Fransen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Fransen, the Hurricanes’ third-round pick at No. 69 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is a native of Karlsted, Sweden, and he spent the 2025-26 season with Farjestad of the SHL and BIK Karlskoga of HockeyAllsvenskan.

“Noel has all of the attributes we look for in a Carolina Hurricanes defenseman,” Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky said in a team statement. “He has the mobility to close quickly on a play, as well as the speed to be active on offensive transitions. We’re looking forward to seeing him in North America next season.”

Fransen made 13 SHL appearances with Farjestad this season, scoring a goal and contributing an assist while taking six minutes worth of penalties.

At BIK Karlskoga, Fransen skated in 38 games that saw him post 6 goals and 8 assists for a total of 14 points.

When Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis ranked the prospects in the Carolina farm system last summer, he put Fransen in the No. 9 spot.

“Fransén was one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects a year ago, and it’s been good seeing him adjust to the pro game so effectively this past year,” Ellis wrote at the time.

The Hurricanes are in the midst of an 11-day break between the conclusion of their second-round series victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens.

Tulsky has utilized the down time to take care of signing some prospects to their entry-level deals, notably including 2025 second-round pick and Penn State star Charlie Cerrato.

The Hurricanes also signed fourth-line center Mark Jankwoski to a two-year contract extension over the break. Jankowski was the lone regular skater for Carolina who was set to hit unrestricted free agency.