Next up on our countdown is another player the Florida Panthers grabbed from a United States-based prep school in the draft.
#19 – Karch Bachman – left wing/center – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Highest rank: 20 Lowest rank: 20
The Panthers selected Bachman in the fifth round (132th overall) of the 2015 Entry Draft after a 43-point season (in 32 games) at Culver Military Academy. The season before his draft year, Bachman had even better numbers amassing 36 goals and 51 points in 41 games.
In 2015-16, the 19-year-old Bachman played in the USHL, suiting up for three different teams; the Green Bay Gamblers, Chicago Steel and Cedar Rapid RoughRiders. In a combined 35 games, he finished with 14 goals and 8 assists to go along with a +1 rating and 10 PIM.
At 5’,11” and 180 lbs, Bachman is a bit undersized, but he is very fast and has good hands. In addition to his offensive skills, the Indiana native is a penalty-killing specialist.
Bachman is set to begin his college career at Miami University and is hoping to build on his good finish to the USHL season when put up 5 points (2G/3A) in six games after the early February trade that brought him to Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, he was injured late in the campaign and missed out on getting some playoff action as the RoughRiders were bounced in the first round of the Clark Cup playoffs by rival Bloomington.
Cedar Rapids general manager/coach Mark Carlson has this to say after acquiring the speedster:
“He competes, he’s got speed, is a good character person,” Carlson said. “He has shown the ability to score. We think Karch makes us a better team. He’s really good on the penalty kill, has three short-handed goals, so he’s going to help us there.”
Look for the hard-working Bachman to spend at least two or three years at Miami before turning pro. He needs to physically mature and round out his game, and with the deep prospect pool in Florida, has the time to do so. The Panthers taking the long route with him could pay off down the line.