Portland, ME – Once Brian Dumoulin made his way down to the Carolina Hurricanes draft table and put on their jersey, he knew he was one-step closer to living his life long dream of playing in the NHL.

Dumoulin, a native of Biddeford, was drafted by the Hurricanes in the second round (#51 overall) of the NHL Entry Draft, which was held on Saturday in Montreal.

“It sunk in once I put on that jersey that I could potentially be playing with Carolina,” said Dumoulin. “It’s all becoming pretty surreal, but I have to continue to work hard and stay focused.”

“Hopefully, one day I can suit up for them.”

It was actually Dumoulin mother, Deb, who heard Carolina call his name as he admitted that he was staring off into space.

“I didn’t hear it,” he said while laughing. “My mom heard it and she jumped up and was all excited and I finally realized I got picked. I was just staring out there in space. I heard every pick before and I don’t know why, but that’s when Carolina picked me.”

Dumoulin was ecstatic to be drafted by the Hurricanes as he feels they have the potential to a winning team for a long time and certainly wants to be apart of their future.

“My initial reaction that Carolina picked me was tremendous because they’ve been really consistent,” he said. They won the Cup in 2006 and were in the Eastern Conference Finals this year.”

They’ve had consistent winning teams and a winning tradition and I’m glad I could potentially be apart of it.”

Dumoulin, who helped Biddeford High School to back-to-back Class A titles in 2007 and 2008, left during his senior year to for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs and was one of 104 players that attended the NHL Combine in Toronto. He was left with an impression that Carolina could be a potential home for him after his interview with the team.

“I met with them before (at the combine) and I knew the New England scout Bob Luccini pretty well,” he said “There was the potential they might draft me because I did well with their interview and from what they said before the draft was their goal was to get some more size and players who can play.”

Carolina is very pleased with getting Dumoulin at #51 and despite there thoughts that he needs to develop more; he certainly has the tools to make that transition to the NHL.

“He skates very well,” said Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford. “It will take him a little time to develop as a big defenseman, but our (scouting staff) really liked him. He moves the puck, he skates and he’s starting to get that physical edge to his game and as he goes to the next level that will help his game and his development.”

The next step for Dumoulin hasn’t changed even though he was drafted. He still plans to attend Boston College in the fall and looks forward to making that next step of playing NCAA hockey.

“Boston College is going to be great and (Carolina) were more than happy to see I going was to Boston College,” Dumoulin said.

“I’m going to be under great hands with one of the legendary coaches in Coach (Jerry) York. They’re happy with me going there and when they think I’m ready and Coach York thinks I can make an impact in the NHL then that will be my time.”

In the mean time, Dumoulin will continue to work out this summer and will leave for Raleigh, NC to take part in the Hurricanes Prospect Camp, which is being held, from July 14th – 19th.

Dumoulin has enjoyed the experience and is trying to absorb the atmosphere of being an NHL prospect, but the 17-year-old kid from Biddeford, it moment he’ll never forget.

I’d say it’s a trip of a lifetime,” he said.

“It’s one of those things I’ll never forget and one of those things I’ll sit back and say that was a major time of my life.”