Florida Panthers Top Prospects: 15-11

15. Shane Prince, LW, 19, Spencerport, New York (PR: New)

5’11, 190lbs

Acquired in a trade with the Blue Jackets

Another one of the players acquired in the Justin Braun trade back in January. Prince has been a key part of the Ottawa 67’s success this season. After being snubbed by the US junior team, he has turned it on offensively with 82 points in 52 games, along with 40 goals. The improvement comes of his breakout year last season, with 25 goals, one that came after two years of disappointing numbers with Ottawa and the Kitchener Rangers.

“We really liked Prince, and the chance to pick him up was too good to pass up. Like a few guys on our list his size is a little bit of a disadvantage, but unlike the others he has more size to him and can play a bit of a physical game. His offense has really jumped up this year which is great to see, and we feel he has the abilities to be a top 6 forward at the pro level; he just needs to get better playing the length of the ice. He’s a guy we could see making a quick jump to the pros if his progression in the OHL continues the way it has.”

14. Kevin Poulin, G, 21, Montreal, Quebec (PR: 26)

6’2, 198lbs

Drafted 4^th round in 2008, Re-acquired in a trade with the Sabres

Poulin was one of GM Wilsons picks in his first draft, but was dealt to the Sabres two years later in a massive 21 piece deal. It took only a few months before he was back in Florida’s property. Legendary goaltender, Patrick Roy called him one of the best young goalies in the game back in junior. Since turning pro, he had an excellent first year in the AHL, and had a very good 10 game stint with the Islanders before his season was cut short due to injury. This season has saw varying degrees of success, he has played OK in 6 games in the NHL, and his AHL season has had its ups and downs, highlighted by a stretch of 3 straight shutouts.

“When we drafted Kevin, he was a very athletic goalie that was big and very raw. Over the years he has definitely improved the more technical sides of his game and it has really shown. The last year has been a big shift for Poulin and that’s why he shot up the list. He still needs to become a more consistent goaltender, but his abilities in the net and his quickness can make a very good backup as is. If he finds more consistency there is no telling how good of a pro starter he can become.”

13. Darcy Kuemper, G, 21, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (PR: New)

6’4, 212lbs

Drafted 5^th round (145^th overall) in 2011

An over-ager picked up in the Panthers in the latest draft, after putting up stellar numbers with the Red Deer Rebels along with 13 shutouts. Kuemper has made a solid transition to the pro game. A big 6’4 goaltender, Kuemper has split time in the AHL and ECHL this season. After a dominating stint with the Ontario Reign, a record of 7-1 with a 1.74 GAA he was quickly called up to the Houston Aeros. There he has put up great numbers in 19 games, making a great case to become the teams #1 next season.

“We were ecstatic to get Kuemper in this last draft. We had him in our books back in his draft year in 09’ but had guys above him at the time. His improvement over the years has vaulted him up. Things that were his weaknesses then have vastly improved, like his positioning and control which made him struggle his rookie year. His combination of size and athleticism make him a great young goalie prospect, and we feel in a few years he could easily be a starting goalie, as long as he keeps down the path he is heading. He is our steal of the 2011 draft.”

12. Taylor Beck, RW, 20, St.Catharines, Ontario (PR: 17)

6’2, 206lbs

Drafted 3^rd round (79^th overall) in 2009

The offensive game for Beck really shot up after his draft year. With a pair of 90 plus point seasons with the Guelph Storm, his stock rose even higher that offseason. In his first year pro, with the Milwaukee Admirals his offense has continued to show. With 30 points in 55 games, it’s been comforting to the Panthers organization that his offense came with him to the pro level.

“When we drafted Beck back in 2009, we felt we got a good power forward type of player that could serve on the bottom two lines. But his overall progression in the OHL and AHL has made him one of our better offensive prospects. He is a safe bet as a prospect, he can fill in as a bottom line forward but he has a potential high reward. He could make the pros in as soon as a year, if he can continue to work on his skating he could become a real threat to the MRFHL.”

11. Scott Wedgewood, G, 19, Brampton, Ontario (PR: 18)

6’1, 187lbs

Drafted 4^th round (95^th overall) in 2010

Its been an interesting turn of events for Scott Wedgewood since his draft year.  Going into the draft as a backup goalie who had an impressive 4 games in the playoffs. He went in as the starter next season with varying results. This year has had its highs and lows but he has continued to play well in net, and was rewarded being named to team Canada for the World Juniors. He took the opportunity and stole the starting job, but was cut short when he was injured in a game against the Russians. Since returning back to the OHL, the consistency is back for Wedge, and has started to turn it on as he heads to the place where he has exceled the most, the playoffs.

“The third goalie in this group of 5, and he is really one of our favourite prospects. Scott is the smallest goalie on the list as well, but he is definitely the most technically built goaltender. The one thing we love about him, is that he thrives on being busy. The more shots he faces the better he seems to get. His 70 save performance in the playoffs was one of the main reasons we drafted him. He is behind on our other goalies in terms of development, but in terms of long term projection, he has the most potential to be a top end goalie in the MRFHL.”