Nov. 20: The Hurricanes reassigned Fensore to Chicago following Wednesday’s shootout loss to the Wild, per a team announcement. With two games remaining on their road trip, that could be an indication they expect to activate Jalen Chatfield from injured reserve before Friday’s game against the Jets. They said Tuesday they expected Chatfield back in the lineup sometime in the next week. Fensore did not play a game during his call-up.
Nov. 16: The Hurricanes announced they’ve recalled defenseman Domenick Fensore from AHL Chicago. The team had an opening roster spot after yesterday’s quick reassignment of Bradly Nadeau, so no corresponding transaction is needed.
Fensore, 24, comes up for the third time this season. He’s been summoned in short stints, no longer than five days, as Carolina continues to grapple with multiple veterans being unavailable on defense due to injuries. While he’s been rostered for four games across those two recalls, he’s only made one appearance for the Canes. That came back against the Golden Knights on Oct. 28, when he logged a -2 rating and two shots on goal in 19:22 of ice time.
That was the third career NHL game for Fensore, who Carolina made a third-round pick back in 2019. The 5’9″ lefty played in the final two games of the regular season last year to close out his second professional campaign. The offensively talented depth rearguard is still in search of his first NHL point.
Point production hasn’t been a problem for Fensore at the minor-league level, though. The former Boston University standout is amid a breakout year in Chicago with a 3-8–11 scoring line in 11 games, tallying a team-high +4 rating as well. His point-per-game pace is third in the AHL among defenders with at least 10 games played this year.
Carolina only had six defensemen rostered prior to Fensore’s recall. He should stick around for at least the next week as he looks to serve as the Canes’ healthy extra option on their four-game road trip, which starts tomorrow in Boston and concludes Nov. 23 in Buffalo.