The Florida Panthers have signed prospects Max Gildon and Alec Rauhauser.
#FlaPanthers agree to terms with defenseman Max Gildon on three year, entry-level contract.
More >> https://t.co/zsODkbtQkt pic.twitter.com/BdCziagW0k
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) March 26, 2020
#FlaPanthers agree to terms with defenseman Alec Rauhauser on one-year, two-way contract.
More >> https://t.co/tEGk6P5qzB pic.twitter.com/n9ICFI94zZ
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) March 26, 2020
Max Gildon and Alec Rauhauser Sign with Florida
College standouts Max Gildon and Alec Rauhauser are heading to the sunshine state. Gildon will join the Florida Panthers organization on a three-year entry-level contract. While Rauhauser has agreed to a one-year entry-level contract with the Panthers.
The 20-year old Gildon just finished up his third, and final, year at the University of New Hampshire. While there, Gildon played in 101 games. In those games, he recorded 21 goals and 52 assists for a total of 73 points. Not to mention 132 penalty minutes as well. It seems that Gildon has the scoring touch. During his time at UNH, Gildon leads New Hampshire’s defenceman in scoring all three years with the wildcats.
Gildon was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft.
Last summer, LWOH’s Ben Kerr ranked him as the Panthers’ 7th best prospect. You can check his scouting report here.
Rauhauser
Also on the back-end, the two-time WCHA defenceman of the Year Rauhauser has a one year, two-way contract with Florida. The former Bowling Green University Captain played in 159 games, posting 29 goals and 32 assists for 122 points. The 25-year old blueline can also score, as he led bowling green defenceman in scoring. Also, worth mentioning, he was a 2020 Hobey Baker Finalist for Bowling Green.
Ben Kerr reviewed Rauhauser in his top college free agents series, saying, “Rauhauser is a great stick handler, he controls the puck on a string and even made a name for himself by scoring a lacrosse-style goal on his backhand in high school. He runs the point on the power play with a great slapshot and excellent wrist shot. Rauhauser has great vision and passing ability, setting up teammates for scoring chances. He understands to keep his shots low to allow teammates to get tip-ins and rebounds. Rauhauser is a strong skater who can lead the rush. Just a junior, he could choose to go back to school to continue to work on his defensive game.”
What This Means for the Future
Looking ahead, it is unsure when and where these two will make their pro debuts. With the NHL currently on hiatus and the AHL following closely, with no end in sight. These two will be patiently waiting.
Once this all passes over the players could end up in a number of places. Either Florida, Springfield, or where ever the Panthers manage to find a new home for their farm team. Till then, they will have to remain quarantined like the rest of us.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
