Florida's top young prospects are getting versed on life as a Panthers player on and off the ice

The Florida Panthers opened up the team's 2024 Development Camp in Fort Lauderdale this week.

A large group of eager and talented young hockey players took the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex for the first camp to be held at the brand new facility that opened its doors just a few months ago.

Monday marked the beginning of the four-day camp that will end with an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s an important time and important part of the process, getting everybody identified with how we want to operate as a group,” said Charlotte Checkers Head Coach Geordie Kinnear, who runs D-camp with his staff from AHL Charlotte.

In each of the first three days, players will spend time doing work on and off the ice at the Panthers training facility while also taking part in team building exercises and activities around South Florida.

Last year, the group played in a dodgeball tournament, took a sushi-making class and attended a Blink 182 concert.

The group of nearly 40 players took the ice in two groups on Monday. Here is how they looked:

Group A

Forwards: Josh Davies, Gracyn Sawchyn, Riese Gaber, Ben Steeves, Simon Zether, Sandis Vilmanis, Jakub Kos, Liam Arnsby, Nicholas Zabaneh, Hunter St. Martin, Owen Lindmark

Defensemen: Albert Wikman, Mikulas Hovorka, Ben Meehan, Keaton Pehrson, C.J. Foley

Goalies: Tyler Muszelik, Callum Tung, Jan Spunar

Group B

Forwards: Oliver Okuliar, Linus Eriksson, Jack Devine, Stepan Zvyagin, Kai Schwindt, Nick Poisson, Christophe Tellier, Liam McLinskey, Krzysztof Macias, Jack Musa, Marcus Nguyen

Defensemen: Marek Aslcher, Ludvig Jansson, Vladislav Lukashevich, Andre Anania, Aiden Dubinsky

Goalies: Cooper Black, Olof Glifford, Lukas Matecha

While hockey obviously plays a big part in what these young players hope are long and prosperous careers, there is more that goes into being a successful pro hockey player than just what happens on the ice.

Relationships and communication are both key elements that the Panthers staff want the prospects to understand are just as important as the work they put into their game.

It helps that Kinnear can draw back on the amazing season Florida just had and the camaraderie and support the Panthers have for one another, knowing that it all starts with the people in the locker room.

That’s exactly the way Florida General Manager Bill Zito wanted to build the team, with high character individuals, and it’s how they’re hoping to start with the next generation of players from the ground level.

“That’s what we try to do,” said Kinnear. “Inspire the group and put a belief in there, but understand how much work (is required) behind closed doors that you have to do to get to that level.”

Here is the schedule for the remainder of the week:

Tuesday, July 9:

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Wednesday, July 10:

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Thursday, July 11:

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