NOTEBOOK: Verhaeghe Sees Opportunity; Acciari Ready for Year 2 with Cats

In today's Baptist Health Practice Notebook, new Panther Carter Verhaeghe looks to capitalize on his new opportunity, Noel Acciari hopes for another career year and more!
SUNRISE, Fla. - When it comes to Panthers hockey, 2021 is turning out to be quite the year of opportunity. With so many new faces gracing the Cats roster, there have never been more chances for players to make their mark, and newly acquired forward Carter Verhaeghe is no exception.

"It's really exciting, we've got a whole bunch of new faces and everyone is really excited to get going," said Verhaeghe. "I'm just looking to make a good impression every day and try to make a good impression on everyone around me, the coaches, trainers and everything, just show them what I can do on the ice and leave it all out there."
Verhaeghe inked a two-year deal with the Panthers shortly after the NHL free-agency period opened up on Oct. 9 - just 10 days after the 25-year-old forward hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In his debut NHL season, which ironically, all started against the Panthers back on Oct. 3, Verhaeghe posted nine goals and four assists for 13 points in 52 games. He also saw action in eight postseason tilts, including three during the Stanley Cup Final against Dallas.
"It's a dream come true," said Verhaeghe. "Winning the Stanley Cup and hoisting it above my head - it was unbelievable. Bringing it here, there's a lot of guys with a lot of great talent here. I think all I can do is try and bring some of that experience and try help guys if they need me."
Yes, it's been a whirlwind year for Verhaeghe, but the young forward is looking forward to the opportunity South Florida brings. After spending much of his time in a bottom-six role with the Lightning, Verhaeghe has a real shot to earn a spot on the second or third line and make an impact.
"Carter is a player that's scored in the minors, I think getting that opportunity to be around those top guys [in Tampa] he developed a lot of good habits," Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville said. "He's got a lot more skill than you might think, and I think that's where the opportunity is probably gonna grow. I really liked him a lot as far as what he brings to our team; he brings tenacity and a real competitiveness in the puck areas. I think he's upgraded the pace of our practices so far and added a little bit of winning pedigree as well."

ACCIARI READY FOR YEAR TWO

While 2020 was certainly a year full of challenges, there were some bright spots, particularly for Panthers forward Noel Acciari.
The new dad, who is entering his second season with the Florida, welcomed his first son Greyson into the world this past July, and is pretty excited to have a new fan cheering him on.
"He's almost 6 months now," said Acciari. "He's aware of things, and it'll be fun for him to see a game and watch me. It'll give me a little extra boost out there knowing he's watching." Acciari even joked, "He might be my biggest critic!"
The 29-year-old forward is coming off a career year with the Panthers, racking up 20 goals (including two hat tricks) and seven assists for a career high 27 points in 66 games played.
"I'm gonna try and continue to do what I did last year," Acciari said. "Who knows, maybe 20 goals doesn't happen this year but obviously I'm gonna do my best to get back to that. I'm just excited, it's been a long time coming to get back to the season. For me personally, I think it's just about sticking to that hard game that gave Q the opportunity to use me up and down the lineup and making sure I help whoever I can and hopefully improve my game."

PICKING UP THE PACE

With a short training camp and no preseason games prior to the start of the season, the Panthers will rely on scrimmages to ramp up the intensity and get them in game-mode before the first official puck drops on Jan. 14 against Dallas.
"It's gonna be like a game, said Quenneville. "We'll have five-minute overtime, we'll have a shootout, give exposure to both of those game situations. We've got no exhibition games to try those types of things in the real simulated pace of a game. We've got NHL officials to do the game as well. We will try and make it as game-like as possible for everybody, for the building and for the players."
The Panthers will face off in an intrasquad scrimmage tomorrow night at 7 P.M. at BB&T Center.