RALEIGH, NC — Felix Unger Sorum has tested himself in a variety of hockey environments over the past year. And no matter where the 18-year-old Carolina Hurricanes forward has played, he has only increased expectations.
“I haven’t thought about it that much,” said Unger Sorum, who was selected by the Hurricanes in the second round (No. 62) of the 2023 NHL Draft. “I try to take it day by day, practice as much as I can and go out and play my game. I don’t usually think that much when I’m on the ice or before the game.”
After gaining confidence in his first development camp with Carolina last summer, he held out until the end of training camp before returning to play in Sweden.
“It was just really fun to have the chance to be there (at training camp),” he said. “When I came home, my first games for the senior national team were about to begin, so that was a big confidence boost and I tried to build on that.”
In his first full season against men for Leksands IF in the Swedish Ice Hockey League after playing two seasons in the team’s junior program, Unger Sorum recorded 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 35 games and three points (one goal, two assists) in six SHL playoff games.
He also represented Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2024 IIHF World Championship, winning silver and bronze, respectively. At the World Junior Championships, he scored six points (one goal, five assists) in seven events, ranking fifth in the point standings among all Swedish skaters.
“From the J-20 (junior) league to the SHL and then from the SHL to the World Championship, his rapid rise has been incredible,” said Hurricanes vice general manager Darren Yorke. “It’s really a testament to how smart and competitive he is.”
“We also have to remember how young he is. You say all these things and it just makes you excited because there’s so much growth still possible.”
Known for his passing ability, Unger Sorum has the potential to be a playmaker in the NHL, and he said he’s already thinking about how to round out his game.
“I want to try to score more goals, get in the dangerous areas in front of the net and score some rebound goals,” he said. “And I also want to continue to improve at what I do well: protecting the puck, finding plays and being a consistent player.”
Carolina is keeping the door open for one of its young forward prospects to join the roster in the fall. Unger Sorum’s experience playing against pros in Sweden will help him, but at 6’1″ and 175 pounds, he knows his size will be a short-term obstacle to making the NHL and is aware of the challenge that awaits him in training camp.
“I need to put on some weight and muscle,” he said. “And I can become a much better player than I am now, but we’ll see.”
“I have to keep trying to do my thing even if they’re bigger than me. (I’ll) do my best and see where that takes me.”
