
Jonathan Racine
Birthday: 1993-05-28 | Position: D |
Eligible for draft: 2011 | Shoots: Left |
Drafted: 2011 | Height: 6-1 |
Acquired: 3rd round (87th overall), 2011 | Weight: 182 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- B
History
2008-09: Jonathan Racine was chosen in the first round, 8th overall, of the 2009 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Shawinigan Cataractes.
2009-10: In his QMJHL rookie season, Racine played in 55 games for the Cataractes. He registered 4 assists on the season. Racine registered no points in 6 playoff games. Racine played for Team Quebec at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, registering no points in 5 games.
2010-11: In 68 games for the Cataractes, Racine scored 2 goals and added 5 assists for 7 points to go along with 86 penatly minutes. In 12 playoff games, Racine registered 1 assist and 22 penalty minutes. He was ranked 67th in the Central Scouting final rankings and was selected by Florida in the third round (87th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
2011-12: Overshadowed by the high profile offensive stars for Memorial Cup champion Shawinigan and the team’s top defense pairing of Morgan Ellis (MON) and Brandon Gormley (PHO), Racine provided toughness and solid defensive play for the Cataractes. He was plus-18 and second on Shawinigan with 107 penalty minutes while scoring 3 goals with 10 assists in 61 games. Shawinigan finished fourth in the East Division but fell in the second round of the QMJHL tournament before winning the Memorial Cup as the host team. Racine was plus-seven with 1 goal and 5 assists in 11 QMJHL playoff games and was plus-one with no points and 12 penalty minuets in six Memorial Cup games.
2012-13: Racine signed a three-year entry-level contract with Florida in April 2013 and made his pro debut with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio following his fourth QMJHL season. He had no points and was an even plus/minus with 4 penalty minutes in eight AHL games. The Rampage missed the playoffs; finishing last in the South Division. Acquired by Moncton in the trade that sent Brandon Gormley (Phoenix) to Shawinigan in June 2012, Racine scored 8 goals with 13 assists in 61 games and was +18 with a team-high 138 penalty minutes. The Wildcats finished second to Memorial Cup champion Halifax in the Maritimes Division before falling to Victoriaville in a first round playoff series. Racine was -3 with no points and 7 penalty minutes in five playoff games.
2013-14: Racine made his NHL debut as a 20-year-old in a game against the Islanders on April 1st — finishing -1 with 2 penalty minutes in 15:35 minutes of ice time in his only NHL game to date. He played 51 games for Panthers’ AHL affiliate San Antonio in his first pro season. He had 6 assists and was +12 with 91 penalty minutes. The Rampage missed the AHL playoffs, finishing last in the West Division.
2014-15: Racine returned to San Antonio for his second AHL season. In 70 regular season games he had 7 assists and was +8, leading the Rampage with 149 penalty minutes. San Antonio finished first in the West Division but was swept by Oklahoma City in a first-round series. Racine had 1 assist and was +1 with 4 penalty minutes in three playoff games.
2015-16: Racine skated for new Panthers’ AHL affiliate Portland in his third pro season. He scored 1 goal with 8 assists in 69 regular season games and was +8 with 89 penalty minutes, second only to defenseman Sena Acolatse (138) for the Pirates. Portland finished fourth in the Atlantic Division, falling to Hershey in a first-round playoff series. Racine was -2 with no points and 4 penalty minutes in five playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Racine possesses a high level of defensive awareness and hockey smarts and is a terrific athlete — a combination that makes him a highly effective defender. Racine will play a hard hitting, physical game, but he will more often use those skills to supplement outstanding positioning and tactical play in his own zone. He rarely makes wrong choices even under heavy pressure and is a capable transition player even though he is not an attacking defender.
Future
Racine provided defensive stability and a physical edge for Panthers' AHL affiliate Portland in 2015-16. Yet to re-sign with Florida, he would be an unrestricted free agent if not tendered a qualifying offer. With Erik Gudbranson traded to Vancouver and Willie Mitchell retiring, Racine could have an opportunity with the club as a defense-first lower pairing defender. He is equally likely to head elsewhere to a team lacking depth on the blueline.