While the vast majority of prospects on hand at this year’s development camp were drafted by the Florida Panthers sometime over the last six years, there are a trio of players trying to parlay an invite into a professional contract with the organization.
Let’s take a brief look at the three invitees who are displaying their on-ice wares to Panthers brass this week at the Baptist Health IcePlex.
Ben Hrebik – Barrie Colts (OHL)
Hrebik has emerged as one of the Ontario Hockey League’s most dependable goaltenders, backstopping the team to the league championship series where they were defeated by eventual Memorial Cup-winners, the Kitchener Rangers in four games. The 20-year-old went 26-11-6 with a 2.81 goals against average and .920 save percentage during the regular season. The postseason saw him up his game as he posted a 2.66 GAA, .922 save percentage and two shutouts.
Reegan Hiscock – Cornell (NCAA)
Hiscock was one of 12 skaters to appear in all 34 games for Cornell this past season. He put up six goals and ten points as a 21-year-old freshman, scoring five of those markers in first 13 games of season after choosing to continue his development arc in the NCAA after playing three seasons in the BCHL with the Victoria Grizzlies. Listed at 6’5″ and 209 lbs, Hiscock has intriguing size, but his résumé is light on encouraging data.
James Mackey – Harvard (NCAA)
After playing three seasons in the USHL, Mackey, a 20-year-old defenseman, went the NCAA rout, and appeared in two games for the Crimson. He made his collegiate debut against Northeastern on February 9, and recorded one shot on goal and finished with a plus-one rating in a win over the Huskies. He also saw action in a road game at Brown on February 13. Like Hiscock, Mackey (6’7″-235 lbs) is a big body, who is looked upon as potential late bloomer.