Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour speaks after Florida's 6-4 loss to Toronto on April 1. The Florida Panthers are making some moves to bolster the team’s prospect pool. On Tuesday the team announced it had signed Dartmouth College goaltender Cooper Black to a two-year, entry-level contract. “Cooper is a talented young goaltender whose rare combination of size and athletic ability have allowed him to succeed in the college ranks,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “We are looking forward to his further development within our organization.” The 22-year-old tendie is fresh off a solid season with Dartmouth, working to a 13-8-8 record to go along with a .910 save percentage, a 2.58 goals against average and a pair of shutouts. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] He was named a finalist for the 2024 Ken Dryden ECAC Goaltender of the Year Award as well, this coming a year after he was part of the ECAC All-Rookie team during his freshman season. "Getting to this point in my hockey career has been a long and difficult road, but my time at Dartmouth has been some of the best," Black said, per the Dartmouth Men’s Hockey official website [https://dartmouthsports.com/news/2024/4/2/mens-ice-hockey-cooper-black-signs-nhl-contract-with-florida-panthers.aspx]. "The relationships from my teammates and coaches and the support they've given me has helped me grow, not just as a hockey player, but as a person, and I cannot thank each and every one of them enough." Black’s ELC kicks in for the 2024-25 season, so for now he’s signing a professional try out and joining Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. It’s the same thing that University of Minnesota-Duluth forward Ben Steeves did after signing his ELC with Florida last month. His deal also kicks in next season, so he joined Charlotte on a PTO. But wait, there’s more. Charlotte is also adding Panthers prospects Gracyn Sawchyn and Kai Schwindt to its roster, according to the AHL Transaction log. The first year of Schwindt’s ELC began this season, and he spent a little time with AHL Charlotte and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades before returning to the OHL. Sawchyn was the Panthers second-round pick at last summer’s NHL Entry Draft. He has yet to sign his first pro contract, but just completed a strong season in the WHL and was added to Charlotte’s roster on an amateur try out. Split between Seattle and Edmonton, Sawchyn racked up 19 goals and 64 points in 54 games this season after recording 58 points in 58 games with Seattle last year. The Checkers have seven regular season games remaining on their schedule before the Calder Cup Playoffs begin later this month. Charlotte is 14-3-3 over its past 20 games and has climbed up to third place in the Atlantic Division. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Tarasenko may move up to top line if Verhaeghe misses time with injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/tarasenko-to-move-up-to-top-line-with-verhaeghe-likely-to-miss-some-time] Three takeaways: Maurice downplays comeback attempt , shakeup on back end [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-maurice-downplays-comeback-attempt-shakeup-on-back-end] Panthers look to pick up win in back-to-back against Montreal after sloppy loss in Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-look-to-pick-up-win-in-back-to-back-against-montreal-after-sloppy-loss-in-toronto] Carter Verhaeghe suffers apparent injury in Toronto, did not return after leaving game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/carter-verhaeghe-suffers-apparent-injury-in-toronto-did-not-return-after-leaving-game] Comeback effort falls short, Panthers dropped 6-4 in Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/comeback-effort-falls-short-panthers-dropped-6-4-in-toronto] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
