2017-18 Season Rewind: Vincent Trocheck

SUNRISE, Fla. -Vincent Trocheck has carved out a special role on the Florida Panthers.
"I call him the engine of the team," coach Bob Boughner said. "When he's going, we're going."

After posting a career-high 54 points during his All-Star campaign in 2016-17, Trocheck was rarely not "going" for the Panthers this season, as the 24-year-old center's skill, determination and grit helped turn his small, steady steps towards stardom into one giant leap.
The former third-round pick ranked second on the Panthers in points (75) and first in goals (31), becoming just the third player in franchise history to reach the 30-goal mark since the 2008-09 season, joining Jonathan Marchessault (30, 2016-17) and David Booth (30, 2008-09).
"I never thought that I'd get to the point where I was scoring 10 goals in a season let alone 30 goals," Trocheck said humbly. "It's obviously exciting."
But Trocheck's value also extended well beyond his ability to find the back of the net. He was one of just six players on the Panthers to suit up in all 82 games this season, a pretty amazing feat given the physical nature of his game, which was evidenced by his team-leading 145 hits.
Trocheck's 1,751:52 of ice time was also the fourth-most in the NHL among forwards.
"There are positives that we take out of the season," Trocheck said after cleaning out his locker at BB&T Center in April. "Second half of the season we played best record in the league after the All-Star break, so were heading in the right direction. We learned a lot this year too, there's a lot of young guys on this team so there's a learning curve every year."
A model of offensive consistency, Trocheck's longest point drought this season was just three games. He recorded five separate streaks of four or more games with a point, including two separate six-game point streaks. Florida was 31-15-6 when Trocheck tallied at least one point.
But for Trocheck, the only number that mattered was 97.
After the Panthers finished with 96 points - the third-most in franchise history but one shy of a spot in the playoffs - Trocheck said he still isn't ready to enjoy his own accomplishments just yet. As one of the leaders on the team, the alternate captain is focused solely on team goals.
"Everyone here is disappointed, we all wanted to make playoffs," he said.
That disappointment, however, will likely serve as fuel for Trocheck this offseason.
"I'm going to take another summer to work on everything," he said. "I want to be the best I can be. I want to be one of the best centers in the league."

COOL STAT

A big contributor on special teams, Trocheck was huge on both the power play and penalty kill.
He led the Panthers in power-play minutes (285:13), points (27) and goals (13), tying him for the sixth-most goals on the man advantage in a single season in franchise history. His 13 goals with the extra attacker were also tied for 10th in the NHL and the most by a Panther since 2002-03.
On the penalty kill, Trocheck ranked tied for second on the Panthers with four shorthanded points, including three goals, which were tied for the fifth-most in the league. He also ranked third on the team in shorthanded ice time (148:08) and faceoff wins (58).

BEST GAME

Trocheck scored all three goals of his first career NHL hat trick in the final 20 minutes of play to help power the Panthers to a 7-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Feb. 12.
With the game tied 3-3 heading into the third period, Trocheck scored back-to-back power play goals just 5:47 apart, with his first goal coming just 18 seconds into the final frame. With Florida nursing a one-goal advantage in the final minute of play, Trocheck cashed in on an empty netter to secure both the win and the first hat trick of his career.
"I didn't know it was his first hat trick," said defenseman Keith Yandle, who assisted on both of Trocheck's power-play goals. "It's a huge moment for us and a huge win for our team."

GOAL OF THE YEAR

Trocheck made this one look easy.
After taking a pass from Mike Matheson, Trocheck, surrounded by three Blues defensemen, carries the puck towards the high slot and fires a rocket of a wrist shot past goaltender Jake Allen to give the Panther a 5-3 lead over St. Louis on Jan. 9.