Carter Verhaeghe’s Impact on the Florida Panthers
Carter Verhaeghe has played a pivotal role in the Florida Panthers’ success, reaching three consecutive Stanley Cup finals and securing one championship. The left winger is known for his clutch performance, demonstrated by his impressive tally of seven game-winning goals this season, combined from both the regular season and playoffs.
His prowess in postseason play is notable as he has netted three series-winning goals and 12 game-winners since 2022, as reported by NHL.com. Verhaeghe is constantly focused on making an impact on the ice.
“I always see him talking to himself on the bench,” remarked teammate Aaron Ekblad. “It’s in his DNA to think about scoring goals consistently, even in-between shifts when he’s reviewing plays on the iPad.”
Verhaeghe’s Journey to the NHL
Verhaeghe’s journey to the NHL is notable. Initially selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 draft’s third round, he had a brief stint with the AHL’s Marlies before being traded to the New York Islanders. However, he never got to play in the NHL with the Islanders and was subsequently traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was there he won a Stanley Cup in his rookie season, although he was not retained as a restricted free agent.
The Florida Panthers seized the opportunity and signed him, where he quickly formed a strong partnership with superstar Aleksander Barkov under then-coach Joel Quenneville. Reflecting on his transfer, Verhaeghe said,
“I owe a lot to management and Bill Zito for bringing me in from Tampa. I had to adapt quickly, and being paired with ‘Barky’ allowed us to establish great chemistry right away. It’s been vital for my career to embrace this chance that I’d longed for, and I was determined not to let it go to waste.”
Lessons Learned in ECHL
Interestingly, before solidifying his place in the NHL, Verhaeghe’s career included playing in the ECHL. While under contract with the Islanders, he spent time with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL and the Missouri Mavericks in the ECHL. Though he initially disliked his time in Missouri, he later recognized its value.
Verhaeghe explained,
“At first, I wasn’t happy to be there, but once I settled, my perspective shifted. I focused on improving daily rather than rushing to the NHL. I learned a lot from coaches and games during that period.”
His performance in Missouri was impressive, racking up 57 points in just 36 games across two seasons. Two years afterward, while with the Tampa Bay organization, he topped the scoring charts for the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, setting the stage for his success.
Reflecting on His Experiences
Even if his detour through Kansas City was unplanned, Verhaeghe appreciates the lessons learned there and fondly recalls the area’s famous barbecue.
“Yes, they have great barbecue,”
he noted.
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