Hertz Arena is the home of the ECHL's Florida Everblades

Another great sign that hockey season is fast approaching came on Monday.

That's when the Florida Panthers announced that the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase would not only be taking place in exactly one month, it's happening at Hertz Arena in Estero.

Prospects from the Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators will participate in the four-day event, from Sept. 15-18, with each team playing the others over the course of the long weekend.

The best part for the fans is that admission to every game is free and open to the public!

The four-day schedule is as follows:

Friday, Sept. 15

4 p.m. – Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

7 p.m. – Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Saturday, Sept. 16

3 p.m. – Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

6 p.m. – Florida Panthers vs. Nashville Predators

Sunday, Sept. 17

Practice Day

Monday, Sept. 18

10 a.m. – Nashville Predators vs. Carolina Hurricanes

1 p.m. – Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

The Panthers have yet to release a roster for the showcase, but there will be a plethora of young talent competing in the event.

That list could include Mackie Samoskevich, Ryan McAllister, Evan Nause, Justin Sourdif, Kai Schwindt, Michael Benning, Mack Guzda and Marek Alscher, among many others.

Florida's AHL coaching staff, led by head coach Geordie Kinnear, will be running things for the prospects again this year. 

Each of the four teams will likely release their rosters for the round-robin as we get closer to the showcase. 

The showcase dates being set also means that we now know tentatively when Panthers rookie camp and training camp will be. 

The rookie camp will take place in Coral Springs in the days leading up to the showcase, and then Florida's main training camp will get going shortly afterwards. 

Are you starting to get excited?