NHL Draft: Florida Panthers Select Joe Wegwerth in Fourth Round
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Florida Panthers went with another big guy, and now have added three players 6’2″ or taller this draft after selecting Joe Wegwerth in the fourth round, 92nd overall.
Wegwerth is a massive 6’3″ 230 pound man-child playing for the United State National Developmental Program, playing the role as the team’s ‘enforcer’.
Wegwerth on being physical "I don't go looking for it, but if somebody takes a liberty on my teammate they're going to have to answer to me"
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) June 28, 2014
In 52-games last season, the Notre Dame commit only six points but had 123-penalty minutes. He is seen as a true-blue fourth line grinder with little to no offensive upside to his game.
As you build your roster to be a contender, players like Wegwerth who can protect your stars with a physical brand of hockey is as much a need come crunch time.
The only NHL comparison that I was able to find was to Chris Neil, who has been a valuable piece to the Ottawa Senators successful during his career.
There will be no rushing Wegwerth, and he will likely get to play out his college career for the Fighting Irish. Florida’s next scheduled pick is in the fifth round, pick number-143 overall.
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