Defenseman Mike Benning, Marek Alscher looking forward to the high-end competition the showcase should bring
A couple dozen of the Florida Panthers best and brightest prospects took the ice on Thursday at the Ice Den in Coral Springs.
They’ve all congregated in the Sunshine State for this weekend’s Southeast Hockey Showcase, where Florida’s youngsters will face off against their fresh-faced counterparts from the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning.
“It’s always nice to be back in Florida and catch up with the guys,” Panthers defenseman Marek Alscher said following the skate. “I’m excited for the season already, the offseason was too long. Every time I have a chance to put a Panthers jersey, on it’s good for me and I love it.”
Alscher and fellow defenseman Mike Benning are part of the Panthers group heading to Estero, but the two will be on different paths for the upcoming season.
For Alscher, he’ll be back with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, where he spent the past two seasons.
Benning, who Florida selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, signed his entry-level contract with the Panthers earlier this year after three solid seasons with the University of Denver.
He’s expected to spend the season with the Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate, though a strong showing during training camp could potentially expedite his path to the NHL.
“It's a new environment for me and a lot of other guys in there,” Benning said Thursday. “I'm looking forward to it and embracing it.”
Both are excited about facing the competition that comes with playing with some of the best young players in the world, all of whom are looking to build toward careers in the NHL.
Alscher has an idea of what to expect after playing with Florida in last year’s rookie showcase.
“It’s real fast,” said the 19-year-old Czechian. “It’s so much faster than any other competition I played, like our national team or the WHL.”
Getting back into playing actual hockey games, as opposed to summer skates and workouts, is something Benning is looking forward to.
“Get my legs under me,” he said when asked what he’s looking forward to this weekend.
Benning’s last game with the Denver Pioneers came on March 23, when they lost 2-0 to No. 4 Cornell in their opening game of the NCAA Tournament.
Now he’ll be facing a different level of hockey talent, though participating in Florida’s development camp and skating with his fellow rookies this week has helped with preparation.
“It’s up-tempo,” Benning said of the pace. “Guys are looking to take spots and guys are looking to hold their spots.
“That's why we play this game, it's fun, we like the competitive side of things.”
Florida kicks off their weekend of hockey on Friday at 7 p.m. when they face Carolina. The Cats will face Nashville at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Tampa Bay on Monday at 1 p.m.
