Five Years of Panthers Draft Picks - Round Five

In building up to June's NHL Entry Draft, this series will look at Florida's performance in each round - from seventh to first - covering the five Drafts from 2005 through 2009, along with any players of note selected after the Panthers' pick(s) in the same round. Today we focus on Round Five.

Four picks in five years at this stage of the draft, highlighted by yet another sterling young goaltender making noise in the collegiate system.

2005: Ottawa, ON             Florida General Manager: Mike Keenan

Panthers pick (161):  G Brian Foster, New Hampshire (EJHL)

Currently:  Recently completed senior year at UNH (NCAA), compiling a 17-14-7 record in 38 appearances for the Wildcats (15-6-6 in conference play). Named to 2010 Division 1 All-American team and 2010 New England All-Stars team. Oh, and Goalie of the Month in December to go with several Defensive Player of the Week awards. Here's another take on his play from January. Unsigned.

Later fifth-round notables:  None; FLA had 29th pick in the round.

2006: Vancouver, BC       Florida General Manager: Mike Keenan

No picks;  FLA previously traded 133rd pick to EDM (G Byran Pitton)

2007: Columbus, OH      Florida General Manager: Jacques Martin

Panthers pick (131):  D John Lee, Waterloo (USHS)

Currently:  Recently completed sophomore season at Denver (fellow Panthers prospects Drew Shore and Marc Cheverie are/were also Pioneers), playing all 41 games. Member of 2010 WCHA All-Academic Team. Brother is Sens' Brian Lee. Unsigned.

Later fifth-round notables:  None. Really.

2008: Ottawa, ON         Florida General Manager: Jacques Martin

No picks; FLA previously traded 130th pick to TOR (F Jerome Flaake) for Wade Belak.

2009: Montreal, PQ        Florida General Manager: Randy Sexton

Panthers picks (135 and 138):  F Corban Knight, Okotoks (AJHL) & F Wade Megan, S. Kent (USHS) respectively.

Currently:  Knight completed freshman season at North Dakota, scoring 13 points (6 goals) in 37 games for the Sioux. Another freshman, Megan picked up 5 goals and 7 assists in 35 games for the BU Terriers.

Later fifth-round notables:  (149) F Marcus Kruger, CHI 

ARCHIVED:  Round Three  -  Round Four  -  Round Six  -  Round Seven