The Florida Panthers went completely off the board with its selection of Swedish goaltender Olof Glifford in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
At the time, Glifford was a virtual 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 Florida’s radar? The Panthers, like most teams, loves bringing in large goalies to develop.
On top of his obvious physical attributes, Glifford produced a stellar 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 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 saw him take part (along with fellow Panthers prospects Albert Wikman, Linus Eriksson and Simon Zether) at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI.
Glifford split his time between the J20 Nationell and Swedish Hockey League during the 2024-25 campaign. 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, 2025 and was loaned to IK Oskarshamn of the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan to continue his development.
He spent the entirety of the 2025-26 season with Oskarshamn and recorded a 14-15-0 record. His other stats – a 2.46 GAA, .903 save percentage, and four shutouts were far more impressive.
Wearing his now familiar No. 60, Glifford just put in another appearance at development camp in Fort Lauderdale. The Panthers have until June 1, 2027 to sign this intriguing Swedish prospect to an entry-level contract.