Litter Box Cats, a Florida Panthers community

From HeraldNet's Nick Patterson: (Josh) Birkholz arrived in Everett to the fanfare of a third-round NHL draft pick. However, the Tips weren't certain exactly what they were getting in Birkholz, as neither Soetaert nor coach Craig Hartsburg had ever seen him play. So far, Birkholz has been everything advertised, showing excellent speed and a strong shot to go along with his solid frame. "I'd talked to NHL scouts about his ability to play the game and his strong suits," (Everett GM Doug) Soetaert said. "Obviously every one of the scouts nailed it. He's an extremely powerful skater, his first three strides are extremely explosive, and he's got an NHL shot." More on the Panthers' third round selection in 2009 above.

From BTN's Neate Sager: Make what you will of a report (Josh) Birkholz, 19, who was facing a suspension at Minnesota for violating team rules, "allegedly failed multiple drug tests this summer." That means he is going to the WHL with some questions about character, which the Silvertips would surely have heard about (...) It's not something any firm conclusions can be drawn from. No one is so naive to think 19-year-old elite hockey players are exempt from youthful indiscretions; just look at what happened at Notre Dame recently. The main point of mentioning it is to pass on word of an element of the story that might have been underplayed in WHL circles(.) Birkholz, 19, was Florida's third round pick in 2009 (acquired in the Bouwmeester trade from CGY). More above, with links. Update: Clarification from Birkholz regarding the matter.

More goodness from Ian Bross at HF, featuring Florida's boys in the college ranks.