Mike Matheson Will Return to Boston College Next Season

April 29, 2014 by 1 Comment

On Tuesday afternoon, Boston College’s official website reported that defenseman Mike Matheson will return to the BC Eagles for the 2014-2015 NCAA season.

Matheson, 20, was selected 23rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2012 NHL Entry draft in Pittsburgh. The rugged blue-liner just completed his sophomore season with the Eagles, where he compiled 21 points (3G-18A-21P) and a +18 rating through 38 games. Over the past 2 seasons with Boston College, Matheson has led all defenseman in scoring, while manning their top power play and penalty kill units.

Adding onto his accomplishments, this season, Matheson was voted to Hockey East’s First All-Star team, and was named ACHA’s Second Team All-American.

From Boston College’s Official Site:

“We are very excited Michael Matheson has decided to return to Boston College for his junior season”,  head coach Jerry York said. “Michael’s talents and leadership will play a significant role in developing the strong core Boston College hockey has in place for the future”.

While many had hoped to see Matheson don the silver and black next season for the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, fans can take solace in knowing that Matheson will gain yet another year of experience, and further continue his development into an NHL ready defenseman.

 

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The Future of the Florida Panthers Blue Line is Bright

April 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment

With one game remaining in the 2013-2014 regular season, the Florida Panthers find themselves in all too familiar territory. Last season, the Panthers finished dead last in both Goals Against per Game (GA/G) and the Penalty Kill (PK%), and this year has been no different. Currently ranked 27th in GA/G, allowing 3.20 goals per game, and 30th in PK%, Dale Tallon and the Hockey Operations staff may have their work cut out for them this summer, whether it be via Free Agency or trades.

Fast-forward to the very near future, and the Panthers may have something they’ve longed for since Tallon was hired as the General Manager of the Panthers; flexibility to spend and depth on defense.

Though the Panthers have struggled offensively in recent years, drafting centers Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad will finally give the Cats the stability up the middle for the first time since the Jokinen era. While drafting these mammoth centermen was the correct choice for any GM in Tallon’s position to make, the current blue line still leaves something to be desired.

Luckily for Panthers’ fans, Tallon has done a superb job of drafting Grade A defensemen during his tenure as the Panthers General Manager. While Dmitry Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson and Dylan Olsen remain the face of the Panthers young defensive core, there are a handful of reliable defensemen in the Cats prospect pool just waiting for their chance at the big show.

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Panthers Recall F Bobby Butler and D Jonathan Racine

April 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

The wave of call-ups continues for the Florida Panthers as Executive Vice President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that F Bobby Butler and D Jonathan Racine have been recalled from the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).

Butler, 26, has played in 128 career National Hockey League games with Ottawa (2009-12), New Jersey (2013) and Nashville (2013), recording 48 points (20-28-48) while trying to find a foothold in the NHL. Though he didn’t make the Panthers’ roster out of training camp, Butler has shined as one of the Rampage’s best and most reliable players this season, recording 45 points (21-24-45) and 12 penalty minutes.

Racine, 20, has appeared in 48 games for San Antonio this season, collecting six points (0-6-6) and 85 penalty minutes as one of the team’s top enforcers.

A former third-round pick (87th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Racine will hope to make his NHL debut tonight against the New York Islanders at 7:00 p.m. on FOX Sports Florida.

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Four Panthers Prospects Punch Their Tickets to the 2014 Frozen Four

March 31, 2014 by Leave a Comment

After a wild weekend that even college basketball fans would admit was ripe with madness, a whopping four Florida Panthers prospects remain in play as the NCAA D-1 Men’s Hockey Tournament field shrank from 16 to four teams this past weekend.

Of the original eight “College Cats” that qualified for this year’s tournament, just Rocco Grimaldi (North Dakota), Ian McCoshen (Boston College), Mike Matheson (Boston College) and Kyle Rau (Minnesota) remain with a chance to take home college hockey’s top-prize.

First to punch a ticket to Philadelphia was North Dakota forward Rocco Grimaldi whose hat-trick against top-seeded Wisconsin helped UND cruise to victory in the tournament’s opening round. Though they are recognized as one of the most prominent programs in collegiate hockey, Grimaldi’s opening round heroics may have helped North Dakota rediscover their swagger after having snuck into this year’s tournament as a #4 seed.

In the round of eight, UND forward Connor Gaarder scored off a rebound just 1: 28 into double overtime to give North Dakota a 2-1 victory over Ferris State, propelling the team to their 20th Frozen Four in school history.

Though his stick was silent during the team’s second game, Grimaldi’s inspired play through the first two rounds of the tournament earned him MVP honors as the top-player from the Midwest Region.

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Eight Panthers Prospects Set to Compete For 2014 Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship

March 23, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Put down your textbooks and cancel all toga parties, it’s time for the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship.

With the field of 16 now in place for the upcoming NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament Regionals, it looks as if this year’s Frozen Four may end up having a very South Florida feel to it, as five of the competing teams in this year’s tournament boast at least one Panthers prospect on their roster.

Having sent seven total prospects to last year’s tournament, the Panthers outdid themselves in 2014 as eight “College Cats” will be hoping to book a ticket to this season’s championship game in Philadelphia.

These prospects include, F Rocco Grimaldi (North Dakota), D Eddie Wittchow (Wisconsin), D Mike Matheson (Boston College), D Ian McCoshen (Boston College), F Connor Brickley (Vermont), F Kyle Rau (Minnesota), G Sam Brittain (Denver) and G Evan Cowley (Denver).

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Denver Goalie Sam Brittain Among Five Finalists For Inaugural Mike Richter Award

March 19, 2014 by 1 Comment

After a stellar senior season at the University of Denver, Florida Panthers goaltending prospect, Sam Brittain, was announced today as one of just five finalists for the inaugural Mike Richter Award, which will be given to the most outstanding goalie in college hockey.

In addition to being named the goalie of the week in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference on multiple occasions, Brittain also finished the 2013-14 regular season ranking thirteenth nationally in wins (17), second in save percentage (.934) and tenth in goals-against average (2.06).

Currently leading the Pioneers through the NCHC playoffs, Brittain played possibly his best game of the season last Saturday when he led Denver past the University of Nebraksa-Omaha behind a spectacular 34-save shutout performance - the 16th game this year in which he’s made 30-plus stops.

The Panthers fourth-round selection (92nd overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Brittain will be joined by Minnesota’s Adam Wilcox, Connor Hellebuyck of Massachusetts-Lowell, Wisconsin’s Joel Rumpel and Clay Witt of Northeastern as finalists for this prestigious award.

The winner will be announced during the 2014 Frozen Four in Philadelphia, April 10-12. Let’s Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation will present the first of what is projected to be an annual award.

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College Cats: Panthers’ NCAA Prospects Weekend Report – Mar. 14-16

March 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

“College Cats” is a weekly article throughout the collegiate hockey season in which we here at Panther Parkway update you on the recent exploits and happenings of all of the Florida Panthers’ NCAA prospects.

Here is how your “College Cats” fared over the weekend of March 14-16.

Forwards

F - Rocco Grimaldi (University of North Dakota)

GP: 3

P: 2 (0-2-2)

Shots: 8

PIM: 0

+/-: +1

Blks: 0

Note: Behind two assists from Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota defeated Colorado College 4-3 on Sunday night to win the deciding game of the best-of-three National Collegiate Hockey Conference playoff series.

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College Cats: Panthers’ NCAA Prospects Weekend Report – Feb. 28-Mar. 1

March 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Cat College

“College Cats” is a weekly article throughout the collegiate hockey season in which we here at Panther Parkway update you on the recent exploits and happenings of all of the Florida Panthers’ NCAA prospects.

Here is how your “College Cats” fared over the weekend of February 28 - Mar. 1.

Forwards

F - Rocco Grimaldi (University of North Dakota)

GP: 2

P: 2 (1-1-2)

Shots: 10

PIM: 6

+/-: 0

Blks: 2

Note: Using his exceptional speed, Rocco Grimaldi was able to earn his third short-handed goal of the season during a 3-1 loss to St. Cloud State.

[Read more...]

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College Cats: Panthers’ NCAA Prospects Weekend Report – Feb. 21-22

February 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Cat College

“College Cats” is a weekly article throughout the collegiate hockey season in which we here at Panther Parkway update you on the recent exploits and happenings of all of the Florida Panthers’ NCAA prospects.

Here is how your “College Cats” fared over the weekend of February 14-15.

Forwards

F - Rocco Grimaldi (University of North Dakota)

GP: 2

P: 3 (1G-2A-3P)

Shots: 9

PIM: 6

+/-: 2

Blks: 0

Note: After earning three points over the weekend, Rocco Grimaldi now has a three point cushion in the team’s scoring race over teammate Michael Parks with 29 total points so far this season.

[Read more...]

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College Cats: Panthers’ NCAA Prospects Weekend Report - Feb. 14-15

February 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Cat College

“College Cats” is a weekly article throughout the collegiate hockey season in which we here at Panther Parkway update you on the recent exploits and happenings of all of the Florida Panthers’ NCAA prospects.

Here is how your “College Cats” fared over the weekend of February 14-15.

G - Evan Cowley (University of Denver)

GS: 1 (1-0-0)

GA: 1

SV%: .970

Note: In just his 2nd start of the season, freshman goaltender Evan Cowley earned his first career NCAA victory in Denver’s 4-1 route of Omaha.

G - Sam Brittain (University of Denver)

GS: 1 (0-1-0)

GA: 4

SV%: .871

F - Rocco Grimaldi (University of North Dakota)

GP: 2

P: 4 (1G-3A-4P)

Note: On the same day that UND alum T.J. Oshie scored four shootout goals to lead USA to victory over Russia in the Olympics, current UND star Rocco Grimaldi scored four points in a 9-2 victory over Miami (Ohio).

[Read more...]

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