The shortest player in the NHL signs a new contract with contending team

PUBLICATION

Tom Banks
September 17, 2024 (4:20 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Success in the NHL can come in all shapes and sizes, and now ahead of a critical 2024/25 campaign, the Carolina Hurricanes will try out the league's smallest player, Rocco Grimaldi.

The Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up for yet another chase at the Stanley Cup in 2024/25, and with training camp and the regular season right around the corner, they've announced a surprise move. According to a report, the team have handed a PTO to former Nashville Predators forward Rocco Grimaldi, who hasn't played in the NHL since the 2021/22 season.

The 5-foot-6 winger is the smallest active player in the NHL, and after spending the last two seasons with three different AHL teams, he's looking to get another shot in the league. Grimaldi's NHL career began back in 2011 when he was drafted in the second-round by the Florida Panthers, with the forward playing for the Panthers, Avalanche and Predators since that point.

During his time, Grimaldi has played in 203 games, tallying 30 goals and 67 points over that stretch, and with 3 goals and 4 points in his nine career Stanley Cup Playoff games, he's proven that he can get it done on the biggest stages. With the Hurricanes forward group being loaded with talent, it's unclear what type of role he could find with the team, but if he impresses in pre-season, he would no doubt be a fantastic depth addition for the Hurricanes moving forward.