RALEIGH, N.C. – The last few years for Noel Gunler have been a roller coaster, to say the least.

Selected in the second round of the 2020 draft by Carolina, the skilled forward was signed to an entry-level contract in March 2022.

Coming to North America right away and immediately playing in 21 games (regular season + postseason) with the Chicago Wolves, he was a member of the Calder Cup-winning group.

But things went sideways the following year.

Playing in just 31 games for the Wolves, Gunler dealt with injuries that prohibited him from getting to the level of offensive production that his game had become synonymous with.

After surgery cut his season short, the injury bug continued to bite him while he played in Finland for the 2023-24 campaign. Dressing for Karpat, he was only able to skate in 24 games before going under the knife once again.

“It’s been really tough. For the last year and a half, I haven’t played hockey without anything bothering me,” Gunler said on Monday. “It’s been tough, mentally.”

Noel Gunler PPG perfection pic.twitter.com/aOY4c0YNmi

— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) December 18, 2022

Now with a full offseason to reset, Gunler is coming to Canes training camp 100% healthy and with a refreshed outlook.

“[The past health issues] are something that I’ve moved on from and I’m just trying to learn from it. I just want to enjoy being back playing,” he said with a smile, after wrapping up a successful Prospects Showcase.

A critical part of the team’s two victories, Gunler, born in Luleå, Sweden, unofficially finished tied for the team lead with five points. More importantly, both he and Canes’ management believed that he played the way that he needs to play to be successful.

“The biggest thing for him, and he showed it this weekend, is that he needs to be hard to play against every single game. His ability to get in on the forecheck and recover pucks was impressive” Canes Associate General Manager Darren Yorke offered. “Him being harder to play against will allow him to have more opportunities offensively because of that strong forechecking ability.”

The #Canes tie it up at 4-4 to start the third!

That's a sick setup from Bradly Nadeau → Noel Gunler → Felix Unger Sorum. pic.twitter.com/EPjo0UUs83

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) September 13, 2024

In addition to being tough to play against and a relentless forechecker, Gunler, a restricted free agent at the end of the season, believes he can merge that with his strong suits to find success, despite the turbulent past 18 months.

“My ability to find space in the offensive zone is probably [my best asset] and I like to think I have a great shot,” Gunler self-reviewed. “I think I have good speed and vision. I can put myself in a good position to do good things offensively, and get back in a good position defensively.”

If he can put it all together, Canes’ brass believes that the prospect’s future is as bright as it’s ever been.

“He’s taken some of the advice, listened to what we’ve asked him to do and he’s showed that that’s what he wants,” Yorke continued. “This tournament he showed some growth with some of those development things that we’ve mentioned to him.”

Noel Gunler stands posed during the team's 2023 Media Day.

© Josh Lavallee / Carolina Hurricanes

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