Cats & Coffee: Prospects Head South for D-Camp; Summer Summit

Good morning and welcome to "Cats & Coffee," a weekly segment presented by Community Coffee in which we get you caffeinated with an exciting look at the week ahead for the Florida Panthers.
The future stars of the Florida Panthers will be on full display this week at the team's annual development camp, which will be held from Tuesday, June 27 to Friday, June 30 at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs.

A major stepping stone in the career of any NHL hopeful, the four-day camp is meant to expose prospects to many of the rigorous conditioning programs of a professional hockey player, including both on and off-ice workout sessions.
"I'm really excited," said Owen Tippet, the Panthers first-round selection at this past weekend's draft in Chicago. "I've never been to Florida, so it's exciting to finally get there… I'm excited to meet all the other guys."
The best thing about development camp? You're invited!
All on-ice workouts throughout the week are free and open to the public, so make sure to come out to the rink to catch a glimpse of the future. Also, if you're lucky, you might even be able to score a few autographs or snap a couple memorable photos.
The full development camp schedule is as follows:
| DATE | TIME | SQUAD | | --- | --- | --- | | Tuesday, June 27 | 2:15 P.M. - 3:10 P.M.



3:50 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. | Red Squad



Blue Squad | | Wednesday, June 28 | 9 A.M. - 10:15 A.M.



11 A.M. - 12:25 P.M. | Blue Squad



Red Squad | | Thursday, June 29 | 9 A.M. - 10:25 A.M.



11 A.M. - 12:15 P.M. | Red Squad



Blue Squad | | Friday, June 30 | 9 A.M. - 11 A.M. | Red/Blue Scrimmage |

SUMMER SUMMIT

Fans will get the chance to welcome Panthers new Head Coach Bob Boughner and hear from Panthers General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon and President & CEO Matthew Caldwell at a very special Summer Summit at BB&T Center on Thursday, June 29. Although the summit itself won't begin until 7:30 p.m., there will be plenty to do starting at 5 p.m. on the JetBlue Tarmac, where fans will be able to enjoy food trucks, including Kings of Racks BBQ, Hoffman's Chocolates, El Orgullo Latino and Ms. Cheezious, in addition to inflatables and games.
The event is free to attend, but you must reserve a ticket by clicking HERE.
In addition to members of Florida's front office, several Panthers prospects are also set to participate in the event and will be arriving on the Tarmac between 6-6:15 p.m. to meet Season Ticket Holders.
Parking is free and guests are encouraged to enter through Gate 5, 6 or 7.

FREE AGENCY

The Panthers are expected to add a key player or two to their lineup when the NHL's free agency period officially opens at noon on Saturday, July 1.
"We're going to have a good week," Panthers GM Dale Tallon said. "We're going into free agency and we're going to be aggressive there. We're going to get some good players and we're going to have a good summer."
FloridaPanthers.com will have all of your free agent updates this weekend.

CATCHING UP WITH THORTY

How's Shawn Thornton settling into his new front office role with the Panthers?
Recently, Boston Globe reporter Fluto Shinzawa decided to catch up with the former NHL enforcer in order to find out the answer to that question, detailing Thornton's new routine as Florida's vice president of business operations.
"While Thornton will still participate in occasional on-ice clinics and community events, the 39-year-old is now an office man," writes Shinzawa. "Thornton's primary work station was in the penalty box. Now his desk is on the suite level at the BB&T Center, surrounded by the sales, marketing, community relations, and corporate sponsorship departments."
You can read the full story HERE.

STANLEY'S CUP

Stanley C. Panther was finally a winner at the Mascot Games.
Tweet from @StanleyCPanther: Look who won the @MascotGames cup! One of two cups coming back to Florida this year. #StanleyCup #flapanthers pic.twitter.com/dIH8tTMSaL
You can read all about Stanley's triumph in a story from the Miami Herald HERE.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

It might be the offseason, but the Panthers are always active in the community.

COLD COFFEE (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

• The Panthers
  snatched up Owen Tippett
  with the 10th overall selection at the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago this past weekend.
  "It's been a long time coming, but of course I've enjoyed [the draft process]," Tippett said. "I'm just happy that I know where I am now. The anxiousness is gone. I'm excited to get to Florida and get things started."
  For everyone that attended our draft party at Bokamper's, Panthers GM Dale Tallon appreciated your support!

• It was "quantity over quality" on Day 2 of the NHL Draft as the
  Panthers added four more players
  - including a pair of offensively gifted Finns - to their talented group of prospects.
  "We need to be selective and put pieces in the right place because our depth chart is getting nice and balanced and deep," Panthers GM Dale Tallon said. "Having five picks at this year's draft] is fine. It's quality over quantity, for us."
  - The Panthers named
  [Paul McFarland assistant coach
  .
  - Our
  2016-17 schedule
  is now available, so mark your calendars!
  - Need help with that calendar marking?
  Here's seven dates to circle
  .
  - Need tickets? We've got plenty of new and affordable
  plans available
  .