Several of Florida's young prospects showed out during the week of Development Camp
The best and brightest of the Florida Panthers prospect pool wrapped up Development Camp week with a spirited intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday.
The group of 38 players were split into two groups, Team Red and Team White.
Three periods were played, with each including segments of 5-on-5, 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 hockey.
Additionally, at the end of each period, there was a three-man shootout.
Here are some observations from THN Florida’s Armando Velez following Thursday’s scrimmage:
Gracyn Sawchyn, Florida’s second-round choice in 2023, was efficient in the offensive zone and used his strength to fight off checks.
2024 second-round pick Linus Eriksson showed a strong skating ability, as did defenseman Vladislav Lukashevich, who Florida selected in the fourth round back in 2021.
Goaltenders Olof Glifford, Florida’s fifth-round pick in 2023, and Tyler Muszelik, the Panthers sixth-round choice in 2022, were both quite good during their respective periods of work.
University of Denver forward Jack Devine showed maturity in his game, finding holes and creating chances despite his size (just 5-foot-11, 181 lbs.).
Undrafted forward Riese Gaber won a fair amount of boards battles. He signed an AHL deal with the Charlotte Checkers following a strong collegiate career with the University of North Dakota.
Mikulas Hovorka, the 22-year-old defenseman Florida signed out of the Czezh Extraliga earlier this summer, also had a strong showing. He skated well and displayed a sense for when to jump up into the play and when to stay at home.
Ultimately it was Team Red that won the day, taking home the non-shootout portion 4-1 and the overall score 7-2.
Several of the players from Florida’s Development Camp roster are expected to be back with the team for its annual pre-training camp rookie showcase, and then join the Panthers for the beginning of the club’s formal training camp.
That should all be happening sometime in mid-to-late September.
Florida’s first official preseason games are on Sunday, Sept. 22 when they host the Nashville Predators for a doubleheader.
After that, many of the younger Panthers will head back to their respective junior teams and college programs.
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