FORT LAUDERDALE – Sometimes all you can do is stop and stare.
Who wouldn’t when you’re on the ice with the Stanley Cup champions?
“I catch myself being a fan sometimes on the ice, just watching and seeing how cool and good they are,” prospect forward Gracyn Sawchyn said after Tuesday’s practice at Baptist Health IcePlex.
In his second training camp with the Florida Panthers, even while being understandably starstruck from time to time, the 19-year-old center has really held his own among some of the league’s best.
“(I’m) a little more comfortable,” said Sawchyn. “Obviously still nervous, still learning, but trying to simplify my game a little bit and work on things that I’ll need for the next step.”
Any nerves the young Alberta native may have, they haven’t been noticed.
Logging 12:58 of ice time in the first game of the preseason doubleheader Sunday against the Nashville Predators, Sawchyn assisted on the Hunter St. Martin’s goal in Florida’s 3-2 win at Amerant Bank Arena.
“I never thought he was uncomfortable, like that would be thing last year,” said head coach Paul Maurice. “You’re going to see a young guy, not the biggest on the ice, but he’s a gamer. In one year, such an incredible difference in a young man at that age, he’s done really good work this summer.”
