Lost a bit in the Litter Box Cats shuffle of a busy game yesterday was Florida Panthers depth forward Jayce Hawryluk being claimed on waivers by the rebuilding Ottawa Senators.
Hawryluk was selected in the second round (32nd overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
After a successful junior career with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, Hawryluk had a bit of a rough go as a professional prospect before enjoying a breakout start to the 2018-19 campaign, when he put up 32 points in 31 games for the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Hawryluk earned a call-up to the big club and played in 42 games with the Panthers that season, producing seven goals and five assists to go along with 16 PIM.
This season, due to injury and the change behind the bench from Bob Boughner to Joel Quenneville, Hawryluk made 15 appearances with the Cats, scoring his only goal of the season against Edmonton on October 27 and chipping in two helpers for a total of three points.
Best of luck to Jayce in his new digs. The hardworking 24-year-old is in the final year of his current contract and will be looking to make an impression on Senators brass over the final 23 games of the season to hopefully earn a new deal in Canada’s capital or perhaps elsewhere.
The transaction opens up a spot on Florida’s roster and also gives them a bit more cap space to work with as the trade deadline nears.