Hurricanes loan forward Martin Necas to Czech Republic for world juniors

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (88) has been loaned to Team Czech Republic for the 2019 World Juniors. (Karl B DeBlaker/AP)

The Carolina Hurricanes have loaned 2018 world juniors points leader Martin Necas to the Czech Republic’s junior national team, the club announced Wednesday.

Necas will play in his third World Junior Hockey Championship, which will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Vancouver and Victoria.

The 19-year-old forward had a tournament-leading eight assists and 11 points, tied for first with American Casey Mittelstadt, last year in Buffalo, N.Y., to lead the Czech Republic to the bronze medal game – a 9-3 loss to the United States. Team Canada beat the Czech Republic 7-2 in the semifinals.

Necas was the 12th-overall pick in the 2017 draft and is currently playing for the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, with seven goals and 22 points in 26 games. He’s played seven NHL games this season, recording one goal and one assist for the Hurricanes.

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