Rats Roundup: Worrell Named Hockey Director, Panthers Prospects Team up

Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of Rats Roundup!
Panthers alum Peter Worrell named Hockey Director at the Panthers IceDen, "Ice & Dice" Casino Night 2019 was announced, Cats Captain made noise on the NHL Network, and so much more! Sit back, relax and catch up on all the latest Panthers news!

Worrell takes on a New Role

Past Panther Peter Worrell was named the new Hockey Director at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs earlier this week.
"We are thrilled for Peter to join our staff as the Hockey Director of the Panthers IceDen," said President and CEO Matthew Caldwell. "A fan favorite from his time with the Panthers, he has been a pillar of the South Florida hockey community since playing his first NHL game. Following the end of his playing career he has served as a coach at youth, prep school and collegiate levels. We look forward to Peter's contributions to our hockey programs at the Panthers IceDen as we continue to grow the game in our territory."
To read more on the news, click HERE.

'Ice & Dice' Casino Night is Back

Feeling lucky? The Florida Panthers Foundation just announced their annual 'Ice and Dice' Casino Night sponsored by BB&T and JetBlue at BB&T Center will be hosted on Monday, Nov. 4 beginning at 7 p.m.
The night provides an exclusive opportunity for Panthers fans to enjoy food, beverages, live entertainment and more with up close access to Florida Panthers players, coaches and broadcasters. Attendees will also have the chance to enter auctions and raffles to win special prizes.
"We're thrilled to be preparing for our annual 'Ice & Dice' Casino Night." said Florida Panthers Foundation Executive Director Lauren Simone. "With the excitement of the 2019-20 season approaching, this event gives fans the chance to interact and play casino games with their favorite players, coaches and broadcasters while supporting the Florida Panthers Foundation and its mission."

For more details on this exciting event, click HERE.

Mark your Calendar!

NBC Sports announced on Tuesday that the network is set to air 109 NHL games during the 2019-20 regular season. Among the games scheduled to broadcast nationally, the Panthers are slated to air on NBCSN on February 13th when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL.

To see more on the NBC Sports broadcasting schedule, click HERE.

Boston College Boys

The fall is inching closer with every passing summer day, and that means hockey season is only weeks away. Panthers players and Panthers fans are eagerly awaiting the new NHL year, but perhaps some of the most excited for the coming months are the trio of Florida prospects turned Boston College Eagles Spencer Knight, Logan Hutsko, and Benjamin Finklestein. Knight, the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, will be entering his freshman season with the Eagles, joining fellow draftees Hutsko (89th overall, 2018) and Finkelstein (195th overall, 2016) at one of college hockey's most-prestigious schools.
"I'm heading to Boston College this season, and I'm just going to play BC hockey. I'm not going to really look past that," Knight said of his expectations. "When I'm at BC, I'm only going to worry about playing hockey at BC. I'm going to enjoy it. I really want to win a national championship."
To read more on what the prospects are looking forward to, click HERE.

No. 4: Barkov is an Elite Center

NHL Network has taken notice of Barky's offensive bite. In their annual pre-season rankings, the network pegged the Florida Panthers superstar captain as the fourth-best center in the league, putting him ahead of players like Steven Stamkos, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Patrice Bergeron and John Tavares on their star-studded Top-20 list.
"He does everything so well," NHL Network analyst Mike Johnson said. "I can't say he's underrated anymore. He's in our Top-5. He can't be underrated and be in our Top-5."
On the heels of the best offensive season of his career, Barkov reached new personal highs in goals (35), assists (61) and points (96) during the 2018-19 campaign. His point total also set a new franchise single-season record, besting the 94 points Pavel Bure accumulated in 1999-00. Over the final 26 games of the regular-season, Barkov led the NHL in scoring with 43 points.

Read more on Barkov's ranking HERE.
The panthers captain has his eyes on the playoffs as the start of the NHL season draws near. Check out what he had to say HERE.

Panthers President & CEO Talks the State of the Territory

Panthers President and CEO Matthew Caldwell joins Jameson and Doug to talk about the Cats' major moves in the offseason and what to expect heading into September.
Quick Hitters
- The
2019 Summer Reading Tour
has officially wrapped up!

• There were a couple of Cats legends present at the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood!

• A few Panthers celebrated birthdays this week! Check it out:

• Totally Twinning: Brandon and Bryan Rivero talk about their experience as interns with the Florida Panthers.

• Have you ever wondered what the view was like from the penalty box? Enter the Two Minute Minor Contest to find out! Find out more details HERE.
  - The fantasy hockey rankings are in:
  see which Cats made the cut!
  - The 2019-20 season is right around the corner! Secure your tickets now at
  Floridapanthers.com/tickets
  - Stanley and Vicktor star in this week's wallpapers!