After picking forward Gracyn Sawchyn in the second round and defenseman Albert Wikman in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers went off the board with its selection of Swedish netminder Olof Glifford in the fifth round.
At the time, Glifford was a ghost online and unranked by both NHL Central Scouting and Elite Prospects. It was difficult to find video of him but it’s not surprising he was on Florida’s radar. In fact, the pick came courtesy of the club’s goaltending excellence department.
After the draft, general manager Bill Zito said in an interview that: “the Panthers’ Goaltending Excellence Department was extra diligent in their research of Glifford. They were pretty happy about (drafting) him.”
Why isn’t it surprising he was on the Panthers radar? Florida, like most teams, loves bringing in large goalies to develop.
On top of his physical attributes, Glifford produced a great season in his draft year to catch the eye of Florida’s brass. He appeared in 11 games with HV71 of the Swedish J18 juniors posting a 2.56 goals against average and a .929 save percentage, leading all Swedish J18 South goalies in those categories. In the postseason, Glifford recorded a 2.68 GAA and a .923 save percentage in six appearances.
He made started three games in the Sweden’s J20 Nationell, going a perfect 3-0 with a 1.65 GAA and .949 save percentage.
Glifford was also named to Sweden’s entry in the U18 World Junior Championships, but did not get to play in any games.
In 2023-24, Glifford spent most of his time with HV71’s J20 squad. He appeared in 24 Nationell games and posted a 16-8 record, .905 save percentage and 2.94 GAA. He was loaned to HC Dalen in the third-tier hockey Hockeyettan, where he went 1-1 with a 3.50 GAA and .863 save percentage.
Glifford was one of six keepers at Florida’s 2024 Development Camp and didn’t surrender a goal during his one period of action in the scrimmage held on the final day. That summer also him take part (along with fellow Panthers prospects Albert Wikman, Linus Eriksson and Simon Zether) at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI.
Last season, Glifford split his time between the J20 Nationell and Swedish Hockey League. His numbers at the J20 level were again solid. He went 11-10-1 with a 2.87 GAA and .897 save percentage. In the SHL, Gilfford posted a 6-7 record, 2.67 GAA and .895 save percentage.
Glifford made another appearance at development camp in July and has been loaned to IK Oskarshamn of the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan to continue his development.