FORT LAUDERDALE — For the first time in 12 years, Jacob Markstrom was back in net for the Florida Panthers on Thursday morning.
Markstrom was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft, and remained with the organization until he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Roberto Luongo in 2014.
After 11 seasons and three teams between, the now 36-year-old returns to South Florida as the Panthers’ new starting goalie.
“Ever since I got here, just over a month ago, I’ve just been super impressed with what the team, organization and Vinnie Viola has done to this franchise,” Markstrom said Thursday after the first training camp session.
“It’s really impressive.
”Playing against this team for the last decade or so you can see it every year, [they’re] taking steps to become a better and better team… To be here and to be part of something new, and a really hungry group. I’m just super excited.”
Despite over 12 years passing since Florida shipped Markstrom out to western Canada, there’s still some remnants of the old Panthers era in Sunrise upon his return.
Current Panthers defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Alexander Petrovic, as well as center Sasha Barkov, were all teammates with Markstrom during the 2013-14 NHL season.
Barkov, who was a rookie in 2013, recalled Markstrom allowed him to use his car for his Florida driver’s license test.
”I got to do the driver’s license [test] in his car,” Barkov said on Wednesday at Panthers media day. “I still remember that. I hope he does too.”
Barkov will be delighted to know that Markstrom said he doesremember the favor he provided to his then young teammates, now a two-time Stanley Cup winning captain, so many years ago.
“I figured he can do it because he’s probably going to make a lot of money because I saw him in practice and he looked pretty darn good,” Markstrom said with a smile.
“So, I figured if he crashes the car, he can buy me a new one.”
A lot of time has changed since teenage Barkov was taking Markstrom’s Range Rover for a spin.
Barkov is a 31-year-old man who has cemented himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the modern game, the Panthers have a new state-of-the-art practice facility near downtown Fort Lauderdale, and there are two Stanley Cup banners hanging from the rafters in Sunrise.
As for Markstrom, he’s no longer the 24-year-old goalie on a struggling NHL team. He’s a well established veteran looking to backstop his new team to another Stanley Cup title.
”I’m a completely different person, a completely different goalie from what I was more than a decade ago,” Markstrom said when asked if putting on the Panthers jersey brought back old memories.
“It’s a special place for sure. A lot of good memories.
“And, I’m hoping to create a lot more.”
ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS PRESEASON