Sabres Prospect Panocha Released By WHL Club
The 19-year-old blueliner played 52 games for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL last season
© David Kirouac-Imagn Images - Sabres Prospect Panocha Released By WHL ClubBuffalo Sabres prospect Norwin Panocha cannot seem to find a permanent home in North America. The 19-year-old blueliner after being released by the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the spring was selected by the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League in the CHL Import Draft.
After playing just three games this season in the WHL, Prince Albert released Panocha.
Drafted in the seventh round (205th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, the native of Bayreuth, Germany played his junior level of Eisbaren Berlin of the DEL. The 6’2”, 190 lb. defenseman opted to come to North America instead of staying home. Panocha finished with 15 assists in 52 regular season games in his first season and had one assist in eight playoff games for the Sagueneens.
After being released for the second time this year, it is very possible that the young defenseman returns home to play in the DEL and it is likely he will return to North America as part of Team Germany for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships in Ottawa this December.
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