After a rough last few days due to the expansion draft, Florida Panthers fans got a bit of palate cleanser with the selection of Owen Tippett as the club’s first-round pick at the 2017 Entry Draft in Chicago.
Tippett is considered the best pure goal scorer in his draft class and his size, skating and skills as a sniper is just what the Panthers needed to add to its group of prospects.
The native of Peterborough, ON scored 44 goals and 75 points in 60 games with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads this season before scoring ten more times in 20 playoff games as the Steelheads advanced to the league final before falling to the Erie Otters.
In his first season with the Steelheads, Tippett scored 15 goals and 20 points in 48 games.
After losing right wins Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, the position became of huge need, so drafting a player of Tippett’s caliber checked a lot of boxes.
Welcome to the fold, Owen !
Owen Tippett (RW)
Height: 6-foot-0 Weight: 203 pounds Shoots: Right
Team: Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Country: Canada
NHL Central Scouting ranking: No. 7 North American skater