Postcard: Verhaeghe Enjoying Life on the Top Line

Hey Panthers fans,
How awesome was last night?

After Horny scored that goal in the shootout, all of us were just so excited on the bench. I think Weegs actually hit Conns in the face with his stick right after it happened because he was just so fired up in the moment. There's a clip of it online if you can find it. It was actually pretty funny.
Honestly, I think we were the better team the whole night, and I think we deserved to win that game. Horny made an unreal play for us even before he shootout. After he tied the game in the third period, I was thinking that the hockey gods were on our side. He's been great all season.
For myself, it was nice to get another goal and help the team pick up the win. I feel good out there. It's nice playing on a line with Barky and Duke. They're both great players and we already have some pretty good chemistry. It's easy to play with them. I just want to keep it going now.
I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity than the one I've got right now. When I signed here during the offseason, I was just expecting to earn some more ice time. I had a good opportunity to play in the NHL last year with Tampa Bay, but I was just looking for something where I could contribute a bit more to the team. From the start, I've had that with the Panthers.
I'm just lucky to get this opportunity and trying to make the most of it.

I haven't played minutes like this since my last year in the AHL, but I'm not complaining! It's great. You're able to get into the game more with more minutes. Sometimes when you're only playing 7-8, it's tough to get into the game. When you get to the bench, you have more time to think about your last shift and what you could've done better rather than just doing your thing.
Playing with Barky has been especially awesome. He always wants to learn and he's always asking me where he wants to be and how we can read off each other better. He's an amazing player. In the D zone, he's so good with his stick and breaking up plays. It's amazing how fast he is despite having that big frame he has. He makes such great plays. It's so easy to play with him.
After having a week off, it's also been nice to get a road trip under our belt. Being on the road with the guys is good for bonding and things like that, especially with so many new players like myself on the team. We have three games in the next four days, but we're eager to get going. Hopefully, everything goes according to plan now and we don't have any more extended layoffs.
Off the ice, we're obviously spending a lot of time at the hotel.
Some guys brought their XBOXs and are gaming, while others have been relaxing in the lounge at the hotel. The lounge is kind of nice. We get to chat and play cards, stuff like that. Coming to a new team, it's been nice getting to know everyone more so far on this trip.
I feel like a lot of guys become closer on the road because we see each other so much.
Looking forward to our next game,
Carter Verhaeghe
\As told to FloridaPanthers.com's Jameson Olive*