Now that we’re affiliated with the Florida Panthers, we’re going to spend the next several weeks introducing you to some of their prospects that could end up on the Checkers’ roster at some point. Now up: Ryan Bednard.
WHO IS HE?
Ryan Bednard is a 23-year-old goaltender who the Florida Panthers selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL draft. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound native of Macomb, MI, played three seasons at Bowling Green State University, culminating in a dominant junior season that saw him post a 20-8-4 record, 1.77 goals against average, .927 save percentage and three shutouts over 32 games played. He is now in the midst of his second professional season.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON?
Bednard spent the majority of his rookie campaign with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits, posting a 2.99 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 24 appearances. He also played eight AHL games with the Panthers’ previous affiliate in Springfield, posting four wins and a shutout in eight games played.
WHAT'S HE DOING NOW?
Bednard began the season with the Swamp Rabbits, where he has already earned the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Week award twice. One of the league’s busier goaltenders to this point in terms of minutes played, he owns a 4-1-2 record with a 2.89 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. His 40 saves made in a 4-1 victory over Jacksonville on Jan. 17 were a new career high.
WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT HIM?
He allowed just three total goals in his first three AHL starts for Springfield last season, all victories.
DID I MISS ANY OTHER PROFILES?
Maybe.
