Plymouth Whalers netminder Alex Nedeljkovic has signed an entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes and will report to Charlotte for the remainder of the season.
A second-round pick by Carolina in the 2014 draft, Nedeljkovic has played three seasons in the OHL with Plymouth, going 65-57-16 with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
The 19-year-old has earned several honors during his OHL career so far, including winning the Dinty Moore Trophy in 2013 for the best rookie goals against average and being named the OHL Goaltender of the Year in 2014. He also earned OHL First Team All-Star honors that year, as well as leading the US to a gold medal at the 2014 U-18 World Junior Championship.
Nedeljkovic joins Rasmus Tirronen as newcomers brought in for the end of the season, giving Charlotte four goalies to practice with. But unlike his counterpart, Nedeljkovic does not meet the age-minimum for the AHL and would not be eligible to play for the Checkers next season.
Earlier Friday, the Hurricanes also signed University of New Hampshire defenseman Brett Pesce to an entry-level deal. He too will report to Charlotte.