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The Florida Panthers have nine players in the NCAA this season. Most of these players are larger players, and all of them other than David Booth were taken outside of the top 100 in their respective draft years. Some players are finding their form for the first time in the NCAA while others are struggling to get ice time or put up the numbers the organization is hoping to see.

David Booth, LW (53^rd overall, 2004)

The second round pick is struggling to find his form in his junior season with Michigan State. After 16 games he has scored just three times, and is on pace to finish around the same 18 points he registered last season. Booth was a standout as a freshman, scoring 17 times and compiling 36 assists. Healthy this year, the Panthers hope he will be able to return to that offensive production.

Booth plays a physical game and is very, very strong on his skates. He is good along the boards, winning battles and creating chances from the cycle. He has demonstrated good patience with the puck and may have an untapped finesse side. He’s defensively conscious and could turn into a top checking line player in time.

Last year Booth was a part of the United States’ WJC gold-medal winning team, but is too old to return to the squad this year.

Michael Woodford, RW (117^th overall, 2001)

Woodford has played in six of the 14 games this year for Michigan. The senior, whose numbers have fallen each year since recording 19 points as a freshman on a team that included Mike Komisarek and Mike Cammalleri, may be hard pressed to match his six points in 40 games from last season if he continues to miss games. If he continues to play as he has this year, there is a good chance Woodford may be cut loose by Florida.

James Pemberton, D (124^th overall, 2003)

The Friar junior has started off the 2004-05 season with the best numbers of his career. His career best 11 points was set in his freshman season and Pemberton is on pace to double that number. This is excellent news for the Panthers who took the 6’4 215-pound blueliner for his offensive skills as well as his size. Pemberton was unable to put up big numbers in his first two years in Providence, but seems to have gotten that part of his game on track.

Although he has been unable to put up the stats the Panthers were hoping for the past two seasons, he had stepped into a big role with the Friars defensively. Pemberton continues to be on of the team’s best all around defenders and plays in all situations. If he continues to evolve his offensive skills as his defense improves, he has a good future.

Dan Travis, RW (141^st overall, 2003)

The burly (6’3, 215 lbs) winger has only played in 9 of the Wildcats’ 16 games this year, registering two assists. Last year Travis had problems cracking the UNH line-up, appearing in only 14 games, compiling six points. When he has played, it has been only sparingly on the fourth line. Not being able to get in the line-up every day despite his size and physical style of play has to be a concern for the Panthers.

Vince Bellissimo, C (158^th overall, 2002)

The junior led the Broncos in scoring last year with 40 points in 38 games and is showing signs of putting up similar offensive numbers this year despite missing two games earlier this season. Bellissimo is not a highly skilled player, but is able to generate offense through his hard work, particularly driving to the net for rebounds and taking abuse in front of the net and tipping it past the goaltender.

Western Michigan has a record of 8-7-1, although they have struggled with conference play, posting a record of just 4-7-1. Bellissimo is currently second in team scoring behind fellow junior Brent Walton. Vince’s brother, Daniel, is a freshman goaltender with the team, and has started 15 of the team’s 16 games.

Drew Bagnall, D (195^th overall, 2003 – by Dallas)

Bagnall was acquired from Dallas for Valeri Bure near the trade deadline last year. It’s never easy being a prospect dealt for an NHL player because of the expectations that follow. Bagnall is definitely a project, needing several years before pro hockey is a consideration, but he does possess good tools to build upon.

Before moving to St. Lawrence, he was named the top defenseman in the SJHL, playing with the Battleford North Stars. He is a blend of a physical defenseman who always likes to get involved in the offense, both off the rush and while playing in the point on the power play. Bagnall has shown both aspects of his game this season, averaging roughly half a point per game and over two PIM per contest.

Peter Hafner, D (232^nd overall, 2002)

Another late round pick, the defender is currently playing as a junior for the Harvard. The 6’5 blueliner is a defensive player who uses his long reach to his advantage to poke pucks loose. He is physical in front of the net and is able to move bodies from his goalie’s lane of vision. He moves decently for a player of his height but rarely jumps into the rush despite possessing good passing skills. He has a tendency to pass the puck off when he has an open shot as well.

So far this year Hafner has continued to play as he has in his previous two seasons. He is on pace to finish with roughly the same number of points, although his time in the penalty box is increasing. Hafner’s height may earn him a professional contract, but he will need to add some weight to his frame to be more effective at a higher level.

Tanner Glass, LW (265^th overall, 2003)

The Panthers ninth round selection in 2003 is off to a good start with the Big Green as a sophomore. Although he has missed one game, Glass currently sits in second for most points on the team and is tied with several players with the goal scoring lead. The grinding winger continues to play fearlessly and takes a lot of punishment for the points he earns. His offensive success thus far into the season can be considered a bonus for the Panthers who appear to have a potential player on their hands with this ninth round pick. Still two years away from professional hockey, Glass faces a long road ahead of himself, but he has at least begun to step in the right direction.

Luke Beaverson, D (283^rd overall, 2004)

Beaverson was one of the last players taken in the most recent NHL Entry Draft, picked from the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. He is a very physical and rugged player who uses his size to his advantage and punishes opposing forwards. The 6’5, 211 lbs defender is listed at two inches taller than in the draft half a year ago. One positive indicator for Beaverson is that he has dressed for every SeaWolves game this year as a freshman defender. He needs a lot of refinement in his skating and hockey skills, but his size makes him intriguing right now.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.