Henrik Borgstrom may make debut with team in Ottawa

Florida Panthers forward Henrik Borgstrom joined the team for morning skate in Toronto on Wednesday morning, but did not play in last night’s game against the Maple Leafs.

Borgstrom, the team’s 2016 first-round draft pick, signed a three-year, entrylevel contract with the Panthers on Monday night after his college season ended on Sunday. Borgstrom spent two seasons with Denver, ending with a loss to Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Bob Boughner said Borgstrom could “possibly play tomorrow night in Ottawa.”

“Borgy came in late last night,” Boughner told reporters in Toronto on Wednesday morning. “Obviously, he’s joining our team and he hasn’t been on the ice since Sunday when they lost.”

Borgstrom, 20, is a natural center who figures to slot in as the third line center or a wing beside some of Florida’s skilled forwards in the top-nine. In two years with Denver, Borgstrom racked up 45 goals and 50 assists in just 77 games.

This season, he was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Year and he is one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey’s best player.

Borgstrom was drafted with the No. 23 pick two years ago out of Finland’s junior league, but opted to play collegiately for two seasons. He said he thought about his decision to leave Denver throughout the season. “It was in my head,” Borgstrom said. “I thought this would be the right time. I played a good season and I thought I don’t have that much to achieve in college anymore. I thought this was the right time for me to take the next step.”

Borgstrom, nicknamed The Artist for his offensive skill, is originally from Helsinki, Finland, and was listed at 6 foot 3 and 190 pounds for Denver this season. He won the national title with the Pioneers last season before bowing out one win shy of the Frozen Four this year.