Matheson to play for Canada in worlds

Panthers rookie defenseman Mike Matheson, who has appeared in more career playoff games than regular-season games, was selected to represent Team Canada in the upcoming 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Russia.

Matheson, a first-round draft pick (23rd overall) by the Panthers in 2012, had 20 points in 54 games with the Portland Pirates, Florida’s AHL affiliate, before playing three games for Florida in the final week of the regular season.

Matheson, 22, had eight shots on goal while averaging 21:41 of ice time per playoff game. He went back down to Portland after the Panthers were eliminated and had one assist in three AHL playoff games to go with 10 shots on goal.

Matheson played alongside two-time All-Star defenseman Aaron Ekblad, 20, in the playoffs.

“I love that kid, he’s awesome,” Ekblad said. “He’s a great player. I don’t know why I said kid, he’s older than me. … Me and him are going to come up together hopefully, learn from each other and build on each other’s games, hopefully. I think we complement each other well.

“He reminds me of [Brian Campbell] a little, with how confident he is with the puck and making plays without worrying about expectations. He just plays the game of hockey the way he has played it his whole life.”

The annual world championship begins Friday in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov and forward Jussi Jokinen will play for Finland.

Defense bolstered

The Panthers signed Swedish defenseman Linus

Hultstrom to a two-year, two-way entry-level contract Tuesday worth approximately $1.7 million, including signing bonuses, according to Capfriendly.com.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Hultstrom, 23, is considered an offensive-minded defenseman with a quality shot. He had 12 goals, 19 assists and a plus-17 ice rating in 52 games with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Hockley League. The 31 points tied for first among defensemen in the SHL.

Hultstrom also had 12 points in eight playoff games.

Panthers to take batting practice

Although they’d rather be swatting pucks instead of baseballs, several members of the Panthers will take batting practice before the Diamondbacks-Marlins game today.

Nick Bjugstad, Erik Gudbranson, Derek MacKenzie, Alex Petrovic,

Quinton Howden and Ekblad will take a few cuts between 3 and 4 p.m. at Marlins Park. MacKenzie will throw out the first pitch.

New logo

Panthers co-owner Doug

Cifu went into more detail on the team’s new logo and jerseys, which he said will be unveiled some time before the NHL draft (June 24).

“It’s traditional and has got a tough looking panther on the sleeve; it’s got cool military stuff,” Cifu told WQAM, 560 on Tuesday. “We really think it demonstrates what [owner Vinnie

Viola] and I really want the franchise to be. We’re really excited about it.’’

Cifu said the long-standing leaping panther logo won’t become extinct, but rather may remain on a third jersey. The Panthers draft choices will be sporting the new jerseys.