Justin Sourdif played his first NHL game with Florida Panthers on Monday night (Oct. 16) in New Jersey.
The Surrey-raised forward, 21, helped the visiting team to a 4-3 victory over the Devils at Prudential Center.
Sourdif finally got his shot to play for the Panthers three years after being drafted by the team, 87th overall in 2020, and two years after signing an entry-level contract.
“I’m pretty excited right now,” Sourdif told reporters before the game. “My first NHL game, it’s my childhood dream.”
CLICK HERE to watch video of Sourdif’s pre-game scrum with reporters.
He planned to “play loose, play fun. When I’m uptight and too focused, I guess, I don’t think I play my best hockey, so when I’m just having fun out there I think that’s when I’m most effective, so I’ll try to do that.”
For the Paul Maurice-coached Panthers, “Swordfish” played 10 even-strength minutes Monday and finished the game with one shot on goal.
Last year Sourdif scored seven goals and 17 assists in 48 games with Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ AHL farm team, adding two points in six playoff games.
Officially official. pic.twitter.com/uflxQ70x7J
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 16, 2023
"It's a blessing being out there. The guys are really encouraging on the bench... The vibes are pretty good right now."
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) October 17, 2023
Justin Sourdif is in the midst of his @NHL debut, and he's alongside @KatieEngleson to reflect on how it's been feeling so far. 🎙 pic.twitter.com/510dJ2evcx
Back in September 2021 Sourdif signed an entry-level contract to play for the Panthers as the WHL’s reigning B.C. Division Player of the Year.
In his fifth and final season in the Dub he captained Vancouver Giants for close to half a season before a trade to Edmonton Oil Kings and a failed run at a Memorial Cup.
Born in Richmond and raised in the Boundary Park area of Surrey, Sourdif was picked by the Giants third overall in the 2017 WHL Prospects Draft. He spent the bulk of the 2017-18 season with Valley West Hawks (now Giants) of the BC Major Midget League before joining the WHL Giants.
Earlier in his hockey journey, Sourdif played at Delta Hockey Academy at the Planet Ice rink in North Delta.
CLICK HERE to read Sourdif’s stats on eliteprospects.com.
