graphic designer still on vacation, here's Shea Busch as a @FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/PfjellCXqw
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) June 28, 2025
The Florida Panthers added another winger to their prospect pool. 16 picks after the Cats selected Mads Kongsbak Klyvø, Florida took Shea Busch of the WHL's Everett Silvertips, 128th overall. Busch is German but grew up in North Vancouver of British Columbia. He is currently 18 years old and has committed to playing for Penn State in the NCAA.
Busch is similar to Klyvø in one aspect, but brings his style and game to the ice. The winger is a left-handed shot and has spent the last year splitting between two leagues. In 2023-24, Busch played for the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. In 53 games that season, he scored eight goals and totaled 20 points. Last season, he played for Vernon and the Everett Silvertips of the WHL.
In 22 contests for the Vipers, Busch posted numbers of 12 goals and five assists before finishing the year at the major junior level. For Everett, Shea scored 11 goals and racked up 19 points in 39 games. He committed to play NCAA college hockey for the Nittany Lions in January of 2024. The six-foot-two winger went unnoticed by several draft ranking sources.
Elite Prospects didn't list the German skater on their big board. NHL Central Scouting had him ranked as the 126th-best North American skater. McKeen's Hockey had him ranked 97th, and FCHockey ranked him 234th. Similarly to the aforementioned Klyvø, Busch brings in physicality with him. Unlike Klyvø, who has a natural scoring touch, Busch is a pure bruiser.
Weighing in at 207 pounds, Busch constantly uses his size to get opponents on their backs. He's predicated his game on physical play and being a net-front presence. Think Matthew Tkachuk-like, just less talented offensively for the moment. He can create separation with or without the puck with ease.
When he has the puck, it's almost impossible to bring him down. He has good balance for a skater of his caliber. He also has a heavy shot as well, consistently getting rebounds and has fired pucks past opposing goaltenders in a flash. His last name should be 'Power' because that's all he his, power and muscle.
Busch is a very hard worker who can be an agitator at the NHL level. An underrated skill he possesses is the ability to become a decent playmaker for others. Although he's not expected to make the NHL anytime soon, fans should keep an eye on him while he's in Hockey Valley for Penn State in the Big Ten. He will be fun to watch, and if he improves his scoring touch, he could come up in no time.