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Welcome to the new "Player Card" series at FloridaPanthers.com presented by Truist! In these articles, we'll break down both the basics and the beyond when it comes to some of your favorite Panthers players and prospects through their on-ice statistics, off-ice interests, and an informative Q&A session.
In today's card, we'll take a look at Panthers 2020 fourth-round pick Zachary Uens.

THE BASICS

Name: Zachary Uens
Position: Defenseman
Date of Birth: May 13, 2001
Birthplace: Belleville, Ontario
Height: 6'1''
Weight:180 lbs.
Shoots: Left

2019-20 SUMMARY

Uens played with a sizeable chip on his shoulder last season.
Despite going undrafted during his first year of eligibility, the 19-year-old didn't sulk. Instead, he went on to piece together a stellar freshman campaign in 2019-20. Suiting up in 34 games, he finished second among Merrimack's blueliners in scoring with 18 points (four goals, 14 assists).
Of those points, eight came while on the man advantage.
"I'm able to bring the puck out of my own zone," Uens said. "I'm able to join the rush and help produce offense. I'm getting better. This year I took a big leap in the defensive parts of my game. I think that's just going to continue, especially going into my second year at school."

A two-way defenseman, one of his best assets is his painstakingly perfected skating ability.
"I wasn't the greatest skater when I was a kid and first started playing," Uens chuckled. "No, that's definitely been a huge kudos to all my coaches I've had in the past and everybody that's helped me along the way. I've worked really, really hard to focus on that element of my game."
Heading into his sophomore season with high expectations, Uens is eager to get back to work when Merrimack opens its season with a home-and-home series against UMass on Dec. 5-6.
"I think everybody's excited," Uens said. "UMass is a good team. We should've beat them last year both times. I think we're going to have a couple good games here this weekend."

POST-DRAFT Q&A

FloridaPanthers.com: It's been almost two months since you were drafted by the Panthers. Now that you've had time to let it sink in, how would you sum up that day?
Uens: It was really cool. Going through what did last year -- not getting drafted when I could've and thought I should've maybe -- and then going as high as I did this year, it was pretty cool. I was at school when all of it went down. I couldn't go home because of the virus. Being around all my buddies was definitely a different draft experience, but one that I won't forget, for sure.
FloridaPanthers.com: Coming off a strong freshman season at Merrimack, what were your expectations heading into this year's draft?
Uens:I thought I had a good year. I thought I sort of proved everybody wrong a little bit, wrong they didn't take me last year. I had a good year. I went in as a true freshman last year into college and I thought I played really well. I had a couple expectations of getting drafted. I talked to Florida a couple of times. There were a few teams I talked to a couple times. It was really cool being drafted by Florida of all people. It was a really cool experience.
FloridaPanthers.com: Was there any sort of window during the draft where you thought you might be taken?
Uens:I was sort of told [between rounds] 2-4. I was sort of on the edge of my seat all the way through the draft. It was a buildup of emotions and then it all lets out when everything happens.
FloridaPanthers.com: You mentioned watching the draft with your teammates at Merrimack. What was that experience like?
Uens:We're all on a sort of lockdown here because of COVID, so I was with my five roommates. We were literally sitting on the couch watching the draft. It was cool being with the guys you're closest to on the team, just because you're living with them. I obviously missed my family a little bit, but it was still a really cool experience.
FloridaPanthers.com: How soon after the news broke did your phone start to light up?
Uens: Everything held off for a couple minutes and then it all started coming at once. I didn't get through all the text messages and calls until basically the next day. It was pretty cool for the whole day. I had to check my phone every minute to see if I'd missed something. That part was really cool.
FloridaPanthers.com: Who was the first person from the Panthers you talked to?
Uens: Bryan McCabe. It was pretty cool. Growing up, I'd play with him on NHL 07 back in the day and all that stuff. He played for the Leafs, too, which is near my hometown. Getting a call from a guy like him was really, really cool. I've obviously talked to a lot of people from the organization since then, but it was really cool.
FloridaPanthers.com: What was it like to put on a Panthers jersey for the first time?
Uens:They sent it to me at school. That was really cool. It was sort of a coming together moment of everything you've worked for, but when you take it off the work begins again. I got to send a picture to my parents and my friends back home, so that was really cool.
FloridaPanthers.com: Now that you've been drafted, have you felt any different?
Uens:No. Nothing really changes. It's a cool thing to have in the back of your head, but as soon as you get on the ice you forget it. I'm not there yet. I'm still trying to take next steps and develop. Nothing changes, but it's just something cool to have.
FloridaPanthers.com: How much are you looking forward to eventually getting down to South Florida for your first development camp whenever things start to get back to normal?
Uens: I've never been to Florida, so I'm pumped.

QUICK HITTERS

Hockey Idol Growing Up: Nicklas Lidstrom
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams
Last TV Show I Binge Watched: Game of Thrones
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty: Warzone
Favorite Pump-Up Song:Something Alt Rock
If I Didn't Play Hockey, I'd Play: Soccer