Dominik Badinka reappears at Hurricanes development camp with increased age, increased mass, and enhanced strength
Dominik Badinka, the towering 6-foot-3 forward, is preparing for a new chapter in his career as he heads to the Carolina Hurricanes' preseason camp. Drafted by the Hurricanes in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Badinka is eager to prove himself and secure a roster spot.
After a year of honing his skills in the Swedish Hockey League with Malmo Redhawks, Badinka is now set to make his mark in North America. The physicality of American hockey, he claims, is something he feels better suited to handle, having increased his weight during his time in Sweden, although the specific details of this increase remain unclear.
Badinka's journey to the Hurricanes began when he was initially touted as a potential first-round pick. However, he was eventually drafted 34th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. Since then, he has been working diligently, with Peter Harrold, the team's director of player development, noting that Badinka has become more mature and confident after a year of working out and playing a professional game.
Last season, Badinka got a taste of North American hockey with the Chicago Wolves. He played in two regular-season games and one Calder Cup playoff game, marking his first three games in North America. Despite a modest stat line with just 2 goals and 3 assists in the regular season, Badinka believes he progressed in all aspects of his game during his time in Sweden.
Badinka's tenure with the Wolves was not without incident. He received a crunching hit during an April 16 road game against the Milwaukee Admirals, a testament to the rough-and-tumble nature of North American hockey that he now feels better prepared to handle.
Badinka signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Carolina last July and is now hopeful that his hard work and development will earn him a spot on the Hurricanes' roster. With the preseason camp looming, Badinka is ready to showcase his improved skills and physicality, aiming to carve out a successful career in the NHL.
Dominating the ice with a newfound confidence, Dominik Badinka aims to demonstrate his enhanced physicality in the rough-and-tumble world of North American hockey, having developed his skills playing for the Chicago Wolves last season before honing his abilities further in the Swedish Hockey League. Sharing the same passion for sports, Badinka is set to continue his hockey career, striving to make a significant impact in the NHL as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
