The 18-year-old forward made quite the impression in training camp and preseason last year, but could there be even more for him this year?
The Carolina Hurricanes have a need for forward talent next year and so they potentially could be leaning on some of the younger guys to be taking those next steps.
One such player is 2023 second-round pick Felix Unger Sorum who after playing last season in the SHL, will 100% be playing in North America according to assistant general manager Darren Yorke.
Unger Sorum was at the Canes' prospect development camp last month and spoke with the media in attendance. Here's what he had to say:
On if he remembered to bring shorts this year: Yeah, I brought every shorts I had at home. There was not a lot of pants I brought.
*Quote from last year's development camp (On the biggest culture shock): Probably the weather. I went out yesterday and it was so hot. I had pants on and it was a bit of a mistake. I should have taken shorts.
On what he hopes to bring into his second development camp from the first: You learn every day. Like now you know what's coming almost or at least a little of it so you can focus more on the hockey part.
On if he's had any discussions with Rod Brind'Amour on how he's been developing: No, nothing that deep. The season just ended and I've been taking a break but we'll probably talk about it. We'll see.
On how he's felt he played this year in Sweden: It was fun. I learned a lot. Got a chance to play on the power play and they gave me a good opportunity. So I'm thankful for that.
On being on Sweden's World Championship team: It was really fun. Even though I didn't play so many games, just the experience to be there and be with the guys there was really fun. I learned a lot.
On the things he took away from last year's development camp: Just how good the players are here and how much I needed to improve and work hard on and off the ice.
On if he's put on more muscle since last development camp: No, I don't know. A lot of guys have told me that, but I don't think so. I'm just taking it day-by-day. I don't know.
On the areas of his game that he'd like to continue to work on: I would like to try to get more scoring. Like getting to those dirty areas in front of the net and try to pick up some rebound goals and stuff like that. But just keep on improving what I'm good at too. Protecting the puck, trying to find plays and being a consistent player.
On earning more opportunity within the pros: I haven't thought about it that much. I just try to take it day-by-day, like I said. Train as much as I can and just try to go out there and play my game and do my best and we'll see where that takes me.
On the impression he made at training camp last year: I didn't have so many expectations before the camp, it was just really fun that I got the chance to be there. Of course you get confidence from it like when you get home, it was almost like my first senior games too. So it was just a big confidence boost and I tried to build on it when I got home.
On if he feels like he's ready to make the jump to the NHL yet: I don't know. I have to gain some weight of course and muscles. I can become a much better player than I am now, but we'll see.
On playing just a single junior game last season: If I remember right, I was the extra forward for one game and the juniors had the game after and the coach asked me if I wanted to play and of course I wanted to play, so I played that game and it was the only one I played [in the juniors], but it was fun.
On if he felt he was beyond the junior level in that game: No. It's a good level. It's a really good level. I was lucky that game. One lucky assist and it bounced in. It was really fun. My buddies are there, the guys I go to school with, so it was fun.
On playing in the men's league: You learn a lot. You have to still try to do my thing. Even though they are bigger than me, I still have to try and protect the puck and do stuff like that. But you learn a lot and you play with older guys too so you can learn a lot from them.
On if there was any particular teammate that took him under their wing: No, but everybody's so nice so you can ask anybody there. It was really good. I learned a lot. It was my first pro season.
On if there's any current Hurricane that he's been in communication with: No, nothing like that.
On what 'his thing' is: Just going out and playing. I usually don't think so much when I'm out on the ice and I don't think so much before the games and stuff like that. I'm just really happy that I get the opportunity to be at camps like this or games in Sweden or wherever I am. I'm just really thankful for the opportunities.
