Florida Panthers: Henrik Borgstrom Has Big Game Against Boston U
The Florida Panthers had quite the youth influx in their professional ranks this year, after several players graduated from the ameater ranks. While Denis Malgin is producing in the NHL at 19 years old, and a slew of others dabbing their feet at the AHL level first, the Panthers still have some young talent working their way up.
Henrik Borgstrom, 23rd overall pick 2016, University of Denver
Not the most traveled route, Borgstrom went from playing in the Finish junior league to the college hockey level. The big 6’3” center is exactly the kind of player you would think that the Panthers’ front office would be after in the draft.
Four games into his college career, he has only scored in one game, but he sure did make it count. Over the weekend, the University of Denver swept two games against Boston University, a team that features seven players drafted in the first two rounds of the most recent draft.
In the second game of the series, Borgstrom factored in all three goals in Denver’s 3-2 victory, scoring twice and assisting on the other.
Adam Mascherin, 2nd Round 38th overall 2016, Kitchener Rangers OHL
If Borgstrom has the ideal size you would think of, Mascherin is the opposite. Standing at 5’9”, the Panthers used a second round selection on him for his goal scoring ability. Last year with Kitchener, Mascherin tallied 35 goals and 81 points overall in 65 games played.
This year he is again putting up strong numbers early on, registering 18 points (4 G, 14 A) in just eight games. While he is more known for his goal scoring, he has impressively been averaging nearly two assists per game.
While some of the more notable Panthers are your more typical sized forwards (Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad), there have been some who had success despite being smaller (Vincent Trocheck, Jon Marchessault).
Samuel Montembeault, 3rd Rd 77th overall 2015, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The team’s former third round pick is quickly establishing himself as the goaltender of the future for the Panthers. While
In five games this season, the 19 year old goalie has only allowed five goals, posting a 0.97 GAA to go along with a .960 SV%.