Hurricanes Recall Ryan Suzuki, Assign Riley Stillman to AHL

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced Thursday that they have recalled center Ryan Suzuki from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL) and assigned defenseman Riley Stillman to Chicago. The moves come as the Hurricanes navigate injuries and roster adjustments mid-season.

Suzuki, 23, has been a standout performer for the Wolves this season, leading the team with 30 points (6 goals, 24 assists) in 38 games. The London, Ontario native was selected by the Hurricanes in the first round (28th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. Despite battling injuries, including a career-threatening eye injury in 2019, Suzuki has steadily progressed through the Hurricanes’ system.

“Ryan has shown tremendous growth and resilience,” said Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky. “His playmaking ability and leadership on the ice make him a valuable addition to our roster.”

Stillman, 26, who recently made his Hurricanes debut on Jan. 28 against the New York Rangers, has been reassigned to Chicago. The defenseman has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 15 AHL games this season. Stillman, a Peterborough, Ontario native, signed with Carolina as a free agent in July after stints with several NHL teams, including Florida, Chicago, and Vancouver.

The Hurricanes are currently dealing with multiple injuries, including to key players like Sebastian Aho and Jack Roslovic. Suzuki’s recall provides depth and offensive firepower as the team looks to maintain its playoff position in the competitive Metropolitan Division.

Suzuki’s journey to the NHL has been marked by perseverance. After suffering a serious eye injury in 2019, he returned to play with a blind spot and continued to develop his game. His brother, Nick Suzuki, is the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, adding a family rivalry to the NHL landscape.

Stillman, meanwhile, will look to regain his form in the AHL. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound defenseman has 26 points in 159 career NHL games and brings a physical presence to the blue line.

The Hurricanes’ next game is scheduled for Saturday against the Boston Bruins, where Suzuki could make his NHL debut.