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SUNRISE (CBSMiami) – While the NHL is on its annual holiday break, there are still some young hockey players who are involved in some important games as Christmas turns into New Years.
Four prospects in the Florida Panthers system will represent their respective countries at the 2016 World Junior Championships that take place in Helsinki, Finland.
The four players are forwards Lawson Crouse, Juho Lammikko, Denis Malgin and goaltender Samual Montembeault.
Crouse, who will represent Canada, was Florida’s first round selection in last summer’s NHL Draft. He has recorded 24 points (9 goals, 15 assists) in 30 games with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.
Lammikko will represent Finland. He was the Panthers third round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and has recorded 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 30 games, also with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL.
Malgin, Florida’s fourth round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, will represent Switzerland. So far this season he has nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 26 games with the ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League A.
Montembeault was taken in the third round of the 2015 Draft by the Panthers and will represent Canada. He holds a 7-10-4 record, 2.79 goals against average, .886 save percentage and one shutout through 22 game with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
The World Junior Championship will run from December 26th to January 5th.
The Panthers face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, December 27th at 6:00 p.m. You can hear every game on Sports Radio 560 WQAM, the radio home of the Florida Panthers.
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