PANTHERS LOAN HAWRYLUK, HUNT, MONTEMBEAULT TO SPRINGFIELD
Apr 5, 2019SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has loaned forward Jayce Hawryluk, forward Dryden Hunt and goaltender Sam Montembeault to the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
“We are proud of how Jayce, Dryden and Sam competed for our club this season,” said Tallon. “Their impact to our lineup is indicative of their development and the work they put in playing for Springfield in the American Hockey League. With the Thunderbirds having five games remaining, we wanted Jayce, Dryden and Sam to have the chance to play more games and contribute to a strong finish to Springfield’s season.”
Hawryluk, 23, appeared in 42 games with Florida producing 12 points (7-5-12). The 5-foot-11, 196-pound native of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, logged 101 hits over his first 42 NHL games and posted nine hits on April 4 against the New York Islanders, the most recorded by a Panthers player in a single game this season. He scored his first two NHL goals on Dec. 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks and made his NHL debut on Dec. 15 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hawryluk appeared in 28 games this season with Springfield, producing 28 points (7-21-28).
He was originally selected by Florida in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.
Hunt, 23, appeared in 31 games with Florida, registering a career-high 10 points (3-7-10). The 6-foot, 191-pound native of Cranbrook, British Columbia, posted four points (1-3-4) over his last four games of the season with the Panthers. Hunt scored his first NHL goal on March 10 against the Detroit Red Wings. Over 42 career NHL games, all with Florida (2017-18 to 2018-19), Hunt has recorded 11 points (3-8-11). The undrafted winger appeared in 46 games this season with Springfield, notching 38 points (21-17-38).
Montembeault, 22, appeared in 11 games with Florida, owning a 4-3-2 record, a 3.05 goals against average and .894 save percentage. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound native of Becancour, Quebec, posted a four-game win streak from March 8-March 16, tied for the longest win streak by a Panthers goaltender this season. Montembeault earned points for Florida over each of his first five starts in the NHL (4-0-1) and per NHL stats, became the first goaltender in 35 years without a loss over his first five NHL starts. His point streak was the longest by a Panthers goaltender this season. He earned his first NHL win on March 8 against the Minnesota Wild and made his NHL debut on Mar. 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
A 2019 AHL All-Star, Montembeault registered a 13-14-8 record, .901 save percentage, 3.16 goals against average and one shutout over 37 games with Springfield.
He was originally selected by Florida in the third round (77th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Springfield Thunderbirds 2019-2020 ticket memberships are on sale now and include the best benefits of being a Thunderbirds ticket holder. To learn more about memberships and single game tickets, visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).