Florida Panthers Select Top-Ranked Goaltender Spencer Knight 13th Overall
While many fans wanted the Florida Panthers to select a defenseman with the 13th pick, the team decided to take the best goaltender in the draft.
With the 13th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers selected top-ranked netminder Spencer Knight.
6’3″, 198 lbs and a native of America, Knight was ranked as the top goaltender heading into this draft class. During the 2018-19 season, Knight played with both the USNTDP Juniors (USHL) and the U.S. National U18 Team (USDP).
In 16 games with the USNTDP Juniors, Knight recorded a 2.21 GAA and a .903 SV%. With the U.S. National U18 Team, Knight participated in 33 contests, tallying a 2.33 GAA and a .913 SV%.
During that same year, Knight also finished the U18 WJC with the best goals-against-average (1.51) as well as the best save percentage (.936%). He led the Americans to a bronze-medal finish.
In addition, Knight also played in the U20 WJC, concluding the tournament with a silver medal. In previous years, Knight propelled America to victory at the U17 WHC and second at the U18 WJC.
Committing to Boston College (NCAA) for the 2019-20 season, Knight will be apart of a fantastic program and will receive top-end development to help improve his game.
ISS Hockey referred to Spencer Knight as a “solid butterfly goaltender who keeps his movements tight and is explosive from side to side.”
Dobber Prospects characterized Knight as an “athletic netminder with exceptional reflexes and good size.” Most importantly, though, many scouts have described Knight as a goaltender who keeps his composure well and someone who isn’t easily rattled.
Florida Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon had a few words to say about the newly selected netminder:
"“We are proud to have selected Spencer with the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. He is a big, athletic and dynamic young player with the potential to be an elite goaltender at the NHL level. He had an outstanding season playing for the US National Team and proved to be a difference maker in international play. Spencer will begin his next stage of development in an excellent program at Boston College and will be an exciting addition to the future of the Panthers.”"
If all goes as planned for Spencer Knight and his development, then the young 18-year-old should have a promising career as a future starter at the NHL level.
For now, Knight will take his talents to Boston College – a school known for its solid development foundation.
Next. Florida Panthers Seven-Round Draft Board. dark
Stay tuned for more Panthers draft coverage as we turn to rounds 2-7 on Saturday, June. 22 @ 1 P.M.