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Twelve seasons proved just too long a time away from South Florida for Jacob Markstrom.
The veteran goalie returns to the Panthers after a trade with the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday sent Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank to Florida, in exchange for forwards Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist and defenseman Ben Steeves.
“It’s a special feeling to be back in Florida where you’re drafted,” Markstrom said Thursday when he addressed the media for the first time since his return. “I can’t explain how excited I am to get this season started.”
Markstrom was selected by Florida in the second round of the 2008 draft and began playing for the Panthers in 2010. In his early years with the organization, the 6-foot-6, 207-pound goalie didn’t see much action. He played in just 43 games in three seasons, winning 11. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March of 2014 in the middle of his fourth year with Florida.
However, he returns as an established goaltender, having spent time as the primary netminder for three franchises since.
“He’s a veteran guy who has shown excellence, and somebody we thought could fit with our team and come in and do his thing, so I think the goaltending department is pretty excited,” general manager Bill Zito said Wednesday.
The Panthers’ staff is another reason why Markstrom said he’s excited to be back. He will again work beside Rob Tallas, who is Florida’s goaltending coach.
Since the last time the two worked together, Markstrom said they have both grown a lot. While with the Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils, he found success on and off the ice.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to work with him again,” Markstrom said. “Having great conversations with Bill Zito and Roberto Luongo and Tallas, it gets your blood pumping a little bit,” he said.
Aside from just the familiar, Markstrom was just excited to be in the Panthers’ locker room after spending over a decade playing against the organization.
Like every new addition who has spoken so far, Markstrom was eager to play on a team with all the tools to hoist a cup in June. Having not won the Stanley Cup in his career, he will be just as motivated as the rest of Florida’s squad to secure their third title in four years.
“I still have a lot of good hockey left in me,” he said. “I can’t wait to just go out there and enjoy it and play hockey with a great team, and hopefully the result is as it’s been. They’ve done it twice before, so they know how to do it.”
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The veteran goalie returns to the Panthers after a trade with the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday sent Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank to Florida, in exchange for forwards Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist and defenseman Ben Steeves.
“It’s a special feeling to be back in Florida where you’re drafted,” Markstrom said Thursday when he addressed the media for the first time since his return. “I can’t explain how excited I am to get this season started.”
Markstrom was selected by Florida in the second round of the 2008 draft and began playing for the Panthers in 2010. In his early years with the organization, the 6-foot-6, 207-pound goalie didn’t see much action. He played in just 43 games in three seasons, winning 11. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in March of 2014 in the middle of his fourth year with Florida.
However, he returns as an established goaltender, having spent time as the primary netminder for three franchises since.
“He’s a veteran guy who has shown excellence, and somebody we thought could fit with our team and come in and do his thing, so I think the goaltending department is pretty excited,” general manager Bill Zito said Wednesday.
The Panthers’ staff is another reason why Markstrom said he’s excited to be back. He will again work beside Rob Tallas, who is Florida’s goaltending coach.
Since the last time the two worked together, Markstrom said they have both grown a lot. While with the Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils, he found success on and off the ice.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to work with him again,” Markstrom said. “Having great conversations with Bill Zito and Roberto Luongo and Tallas, it gets your blood pumping a little bit,” he said.
Aside from just the familiar, Markstrom was just excited to be in the Panthers’ locker room after spending over a decade playing against the organization.
Like every new addition who has spoken so far, Markstrom was eager to play on a team with all the tools to hoist a cup in June. Having not won the Stanley Cup in his career, he will be just as motivated as the rest of Florida’s squad to secure their third title in four years.
“I still have a lot of good hockey left in me,” he said. “I can’t wait to just go out there and enjoy it and play hockey with a great team, and hopefully the result is as it’s been. They’ve done it twice before, so they know how to do it.”
Continue reading...
