Mike Ferrantino talks NHL Prospects Tournament, signing with Charlotte

By @StefanKubus –

Mike Ferrantino grew up following the Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament.

This year, the Plymouth native not only participated in it, but helped his Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Detroit Red Wings in the championship game.

“It’s really cool,” Ferrantino said. “Growing up, kind of watching it and following it for a while now and always wanted to come up and watch and never did, but now I’m getting a chance to be a part of it. It’s pretty special.

“You grow up watching all the teams up here and kind of following along with it, so yeah it’s really cool it’s here. A quick, easy drive up, which makes it that much better.”

Ferrantino, 23, spent the past four years with Michigan State, recording 79 points in 148 games, serving as team captain the final two seasons. On Sept. 7, he signed with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate in Charlotte.

“It’s special,” Ferrantino said of signing. “I wasn’t sure what kind of opportunities would be there. They called, it’s really a cool feeling to sign the first pro contract and kind of have to get used to the whole professional thing now.”

It doesn’t hurt having a familiar face around to help get acclimated to the organization, too.

Ferrantino will reunite with Jake Chelios in Charlotte and said he expects to find himself at his former Spartan teammate’s house more often than not early on. Chelios, 25, also spent four years with the Spartans – including two years with Ferrantino from 2012-14 – and posted career AHL highs last season in Charlotte, with 31 points in 73 games from the back end.

“It’s nice,” Ferrantino said of having a familiar face around. “You’ve got Cheli there, he’ll be a blast. He was a great teammate for the two years at State there, so I’m looking forward to reuniting with him for sure.

“I’ll be in a hotel for the first little bit, but I bet I’ll be spending quite a bit of time at his place.”

He added that it’s “kind of weird” not preparing for another season at MSU this time around.

“You’re starting to see some of the guys go through all the preseason stuff, and it’s kind of weird. You feel like you should be there a little bit, but at the same time, it was a great four years and wouldn’t trade it for the world, but excited for new things as well.”

So far, Ferrantino – a Compuware alum – isn’t yet sure of where he’ll land to begin the 2016-17 campaign, whether it’s in the AHL or with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. That’ll ultimately hinge on his training camp performance no doubt. But thus far, he said he’s enjoying every minute of his journey to the pros.

“It’s unbelievable,” Ferrantino said. “[Charlotte has] been first class the whole way. They let you be pros and go about your business and really everything has been outstanding thus far.”