For the first time since the Stanley Cup Final, Seth Jarvis is back on the ice and playing hockey for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Read more North Carolina highway deaths fell 12% in 2025 — but some risks persisted
The winger, fully recovered from shoulder surgery and cleared to play, made his 2026-27 debut Thursday in the Canes’ road game against the Edmonton Oilers, scoring his first goal in a 6-5 shootout loss.
Jarvis, who led the Canes with 32 goals last season, underwent the surgery soon after Carolina closed out the Vegas Golden Knights to cap Carolina’s Stanley Cup run in June. The initial timeline for his rehab was 4 to 6 months, but Jarvis has gotten back sooner rather than later.
Jarvis scored his first goal of the season 13 minutes into the second period to give the Canes a lead. Spinning around defenseman Evan Bouchard with the puck, he quickly went forehand, backhand, forehand to beat goalie Devon Levi.
Jarvis was later stopped in the shootout by Levi as the Oilers sealed the win. He had 15:15 in ice time in his first game and was credited with four hits.
Jarvis has joined the team in recent practices and morning skates, shedding a yellow no-contact jersey for a regular jersey, but was not activated off the injured non-roster list until Wednesday.
The Canes also called up Skyler Brind’Amour from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL while reassigning forward Bradly Nadeau to the Wolves — Brind’Amour also was in the lineup Thursday.
Jarvis has been antsy in recent days to get back to playing.
“Body-wise, I feel great,” he said. “I think mentally I’m ready to go. I’ve just got to adjust to game speed. I’ll give 100 percent on my first shift, for sure.”
Jarvis’ return comes with the Hurricanes dealing with injuries to captain Jordan Staal and forwards Taylor Hall and Mark Jankowski. Cannes coach Rod Brind’Amour has had to mix up his lines in the first three games of the five-game road trip, using Jordan Martinook at center after Jankowski went out.
Read more National fast food chain closes NC locations after franchisee files bankruptcy
Jarvis’ absence has been felt — on the power play, the penalty kill and at even strength — although others have stepped in. Jankowski had scored goals in six straight games before his injury, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has two goals and an assist in the past three games and Nicolas Deslauriers scored a pair of goals in a 6-3 win at Vancouver.
Jarvis dealt with the right shoulder ailment the past two seasons but produced 32 goals each year, scoring nine times shorthanded. Jarvis had seven game-winning goals last season, then 11 points in the Canes’ 19 playoff games.
“In my opinion, he has become a special player, an elite player, because he can do everything for your team,” Brind’Amour said.
Jarvis started on a line centered by Kotkaniemi, with Martinook on the left wing.
The Hurricanes, playing in Edmonton, had a chance to present Oilers goalie Frederik Andersen with his Stanley Cup championship ring.
Andersen started the first 16 games in the Canes’ Cup run and won 13 before giving way to Brandon Bussi during the Final. The veteran goaltender signed a free-agent contract with the Oilers after the season.
“He’ll always be a Hurricane,” Brind’Amour said.
Andersen suffered a knee injury in the offseason and has not played this season for the Oilers.
Read more Trump touts new NC quartz plant, but manufacturer calls it a ‘potential project’
This story was originally published October 22, 2026 at 9:24 PM.