After recently inking goaltender Colin Stevens and forward Kyle Rau, the Florida Panthers announced the signing of standout Boston College defenseman Michael Matheson today.
The 21-year-old decided to forego his senior season with the Golden Eagles to join the Panthers organization. Matheson was assigned to the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage for the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout.
The Panthers selected Matheson with the 23rd pick in the first round of 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The Pointe-Claire, QC native joined Boston College after one season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, where he totaled 27 points in 53 regular season games, and scored 4 goals and added an assist in 5 postseason tilts.
In his freshman season with the Golden Eagles, the young blueliner amassed 25 points (8G/17A) and 78 PIM in 36 games. He was a unanimous selection for the All-Hockey East Rookie Team.
As a sophomore, Matheson saw his overall numbers drop a bit to 3 goals and 18 assists in 38 games. He showed more discipline, lowering his PIM toal to 49, while refining his defensive game. Matheson was selected as a member of the All-Hockey East First Team and was a Second-Team All-American as voted on by the American Hockey Coaches Association.
This season, Matheson was the team’s captain and led the Golden Eagles in points by equaling his career-best of 25 when he potted a goal and set up the other in Boston College’s 5-2 loss to Denver in the NCAA Tournament, the final game of his collegiate career.
Matheson finished up at BC with 71 points in 112 games. In addition to honors mentioned above, the coveted rearguard prospect was also honored as a two-time New England Men’s Division I All-Star during his first two seasons.