Panthers Ranked No. 1 In ESPN’s 2011 NHL Organizational Rankings

Jonathan Huberdeau, center, poses with Florida Panthers officials after he was drafted by the team in the first round of the National Hockey League entry draft, Friday June, 24, 2011, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Andy King)

SUNRISE, Fla. – Sunrise Sports & Entertainment announced today that the Florida Panthers were ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s 2011 NHL Organizational Rankings based on the depth of talent and number of top prospects in their system.
 
The article can be viewed here.
 
The Panthers’ organizational depth chart is highlighted by top-notch talent at every position including forwards Jonathan Huberdeau, Quinton Howden, Nick Bjugstad and Rocco Grimaldi, defensemen Erik Gudbranson and Alex Petrovic, and goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Rounding out the top five were the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.
 
From ESPN:
“The Panthers have the most blue-chippers coming down the pipeline, and Jonathan Huberdeau (third overall, 2011) leads a long list of players who will play, and well, at the NHL level. He is a leader, loaded with desire and talent, and has a knack for making big plays. Erik Gudbranson (third overall, 2010) is ready to make the jump from juniors to the NHL, and there's also Quinton Howden (25th overall, 2010), and Nick Bjugstad (19th overall, 2010). All the Panthers need now is time to let their top prospects develop.”
 
Fans can catch many of Florida’s top prospects on the ice from Saturday, Sept. 10 to Wednesday, Sept. 14 during the Panthers Rookie Camp and Tournament at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs.
 
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