Nottingham Panthers 2019/20 - where are they now?

The implications of a certain worldwide pandemic mean that the Nottingham Panthers will not take to the ice for the first time since the 1979/80 season. The majority of Guillaume Doucet's promising core of players have now found club's elsewhere, and I thought it would be interesting to look at how they are fairing. 

Kevin Carr - Colorado Eagles, AHL 

The EIHL's shutout leader is the most recent player to have secured a move, when he recently returned to the Utah Grizzlies, the club he played for prior to joining the Panthers. 

After icing just twice, Carr has received the second AHL call up of his career, joining the Colorado Eagles on loan. At the time of writing, he has not yet iced for them. 

Jason Binkley - Jacksonville IceMen, ECHL

Defeceman Jason Binkley was a late addition to last season's Panthers squad, playing six games, and proving to be reliable at the back. 

In December, he returned to North America, signing for Jacksonville in the East Coast League. So far, he has iced 15 times and put up 4 points (1+3). 

Josh Tetlow - Junkarrit, Suomi-sarja 

One of Panthers most promising young players, Josh Tetlow, joined Finnish 3rd tier outfit, Junkarrit (also known as JHT). 

The 23 year old defenceman has made 14 appearances, picking up 3 assists, as he continues his development into a solid, physical defenceman. 

Brian Connelly - EHC Lustenau, Alps Hockey League

Versatile defenceman Brian Connelly returned to Austria, where he had spent four seasons before joining the Panthers, but this time it would be in the multi-nation Alps league rather than the EBEL. 

The former AHL all star has proven to be a very offensive defenceman, putting up 28 points (1+27) in as many games in all competitions. 

Adam Deutsch - Strömsbro IF, HockeyEttan 

Adam Deutsch was on a fine run of form to end last season, having returned from injury, making some important goal contributions in the closing weeks of the season.  

He has now returned to his homeland of Sweden, joining 3rd tier side Stromsbro. In 18 games, he has 11 points (2+9). 

Robert Lachowicz - EV Duisburg, Germany4

Panthers longest serving active player on last season's roster would head to Germany's 4th tier, signing with HC Duisburg. 

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find his stats, but he will no doubt be getting valuable ice time. 

Brett Perlini - HC Pustertal/Val Pusteria Wölfe, Alps Hockey League

One player who is pretty much nailed on to make Great Britain's squad for the World Championships is forward Brett Perlini. 

He is having a standout season with Italian team Pustertal/Val Pusteria, leading the team in points per game average. In 24 games in all competitions, he has put up 29 points (10+19). 

Former Panther Steve Lee also plays for the side.  

Joseph Hazeldine - ES Weißwasser u23, Germany4 

Panthers prospect Jospeh Hazeldine secured a move to the Corey Neilson coached (at the time of signing) Lausitzer Fuchse organisation, playing for their under 23 side in Germany's 4th tier. 

The team mate of fellow EIHL prospect Mac Howlett has settled in well, averaging over a point per game currently, with 8 (1+7) in 7 games. 

Jordan Kelsall - Mechelen Sharks, BeNeLiga 

Another Panthers youngster currently playing in Europe is 21 year old Jordan Kelsall, who moved to Belgian side Mechelen in October. 

Like with Lachowicz, I am unable to find any stats, but the ice time the forward is getting will be crucial for his development.

Dylan Malmquist - Indy Fuel, ECHL 

Forward Dylan Malmquist's first year of in professional hockey saw him make great progress throughout the season. 

His second has seen him play 7 games in the ECHL, 5 of which were with Kansas. It would be followed by a move to the Indy Fuel where he has played twice. He is yet to register a point. 

Georgs Golovokovs - Odense Bulldogs, Metal Ligaen 

Following two seasons with Tim Wallace, both at Milton Keynes and the Panthers, the skilful forward joined Adam Deutsch at Stromsbro. He would match his Panthers league points tally with 25 points (4+21) in 20 games.

 After parting ways with the Swedish club, he has stayed in Scandinavia, where he now plays for Danish club Odense. He has continued to average over a point per game, with 14 points (3+11) in 10 games. 

Sam Herr - HC Innsbruck, ICEHL 

 The EIHL's leading scorer last season certainly made his mark in the Panthers history books, and keeping him was always going to be a tough task, regardless of the pandemic. 

Sam Herr's destination would be Austria, where he would join HC Innsbruck, and be named captain. He's continuing to put up points, with 29 (15+14) in 39 games. 

Mathieu Tousignant - SC Csíkszereda, Erste Liga

After a short stint at the Panthers to end last season, hard hitting forward Mathieu Tousignant headed to the Erste Liga, signing with Romanian side Csikszereda. 

His side currently sit top of the Hugarian/Romanian league standings, and he has contributed 16 points (9+7) in 23 games. 

Julian Talbot and Ryan Horvat - retired

Midseason additions to the forward unit, Julian Talbot and Ryan Horvat, had impressed after helping the Panthers improve their form, and many fans were hoping we would be seeing more of them in the black and gold. 

The Canadian forwards have however, opted to hang up their skates. 

Horvat has pursued a career in the Guelph Police Service. 

Jackson Whistle, Danny Fick, Mark Matheson, Gui Lepine, Jake Hansen, Ollie Betteridge, Jon Rheault - Free agents 

Seven players from the roster that finished last season currently remain unsigned. 

Mark Matheson had a brief stint in the Erste Liga at the start of the season before being released, whilst fellow defenceman Danny Fick will likely have been continuing his degree that came with his Panthers deal. 

With the NIHL soon starting up, we could soon see some of these players get back onto the ice, most likely Brit players Jackson Whistle and Ollie Betteridge, who will be looking to prepare for the IIHF World Championships this Spring. 












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