The Florida Panthers selected Spencer Knight with the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft at First Niagara Center in Vancouver after the prospect goaltender posted a sparkling 32-4-1 record with the USNTDP U-18 team in 2018-19.
November: Knight is doing exactly what was expected of him, and that is be pretty damn dominant as a college freshman. The first goaltender ever selected in the first round of the draft by the Panthers has compiled a 7-4 record with a 1.91 GAA and .936 save percentage for a good, but not great Boston College Eagles team. In addition to his other eye-popping numbers, Knight has also posted shutout wins over Colgate, Connecticut and Vermont and has his club on a five-game winning streak and in fourth place in Hockey East.
January: Since we last checked in with Knight, he has gone 7-3 for Boston College with one shutout, although he is just 3-3 since returning from the World Junior Championship. Against the best of his peer group in the Czech Republic, the 18-year-old overcame a rough first start against Canada to go 2-2 with a 2.49 GAA and .913 save percentage as the American team was bounced in the quarterfinals thanks to a tough 1-0 loss to Finland. His overall NCAA numbers (14-7 / 2.04 GAA / .927 save pct / 4 shutouts) remain very strong and his future is blindingly bright.
Now: Knight finished the season by going 9-1-2 in his last 12 decisions, and ended on a personal-best nine-game unbeaten streak, to finish his first collegiate season with a 23-8-5 record. He blanked UMass on January 31 to pick up his fifth shutout, a total that tied him for third in the nation, in a key head-to-head win that helped BC finish on top of Hockey East by five points. He ended the year with a 1.97 GAA and .931 save percentage. Here are some the numerous accolades he piled up: Finalist for the Mike Richter Award (Top-5) / Named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star / Unanimous selection to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team / Honored with the Norman F. Dailey Award as the team’s co-MVP with David Cotton / Won a total of six Hockey East weekly awards / Recognized as Rookie of the Month (November) and Goaltender of the Month (December) / Posted a career-high 47 saves in a 3-3 tie at New Hampshire in the regular season finale on March 7.
Knight is a highly-athletic goaltender with exceptional reflexes and good size who excelled as an NCAA freshman. With Sergei Bobrovsky signed long-term and Chris Driedger providing more than capable backup, the Panthers are set for right now, so expect Knight to stay a Boston College for at least another year or two before he turns pro. There is no need to rush this potential franchise netminder.
What does the future hold for Knight?
| NHL Superstar Franchise Goalie | 45 |
| NHL starter | 35 |
| NHL backup | 1 |
| NHL #3 / AHL starter | 2 |
| Strictly Minor-League | 0 |