DALLAS – Near the end of the 2018 NHL Draft's third round, the Florida Panthers traded up for what was originally the Nashville Predators' 89th overall pick. Their target? Boston College right wing Logan Hutsko, who was born in Tampa Bay and has a sister at the University of Florida. The 19-year-old, in some ways, is...
DALLAS – Near the end of the 2018 NHL Draft's third round, the Florida Panthers traded up for what was originally the Nashville Predators' 89th overall pick.
Their target?
Boston College right wing Logan Hutsko, who was born in Tampa Bay and has a sister at the University of Florida. The 19-year-old, in some ways, is heading home.
“It’s so surreal," Hutsko said. "I never thought I’d be here after the last two years. To be here and be drafted by the Panthers and going back home is really special."
Hutsko is a terrific story, as he missed significant time in both his U-17 and U-18 seasons with USA Hockey’s NTDP due to neck and leg injuries. Through all that, he always hoped he'd land in Florida.
“[Pre-draft talks with the Panthers] were my best talks," Hutsko said. "I was hoping to go to the Panthers. I was hoping things would work out."
He rebounded in his freshman year at BC with 12 goals and 19 assists to lead the Eagles in scoring. For his efforts, he was recognized as the 2017-18 Hockey East Rookie of the Year.
“It took a lot to knock off the rust," Hutsko said. "I didn’t start off playing a lot. The second half I was able to do what I think I can keep doing."
Hutsko is undersized at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, but he’s quick and has good vision.
He does a nice job of using his speed to get to pucks and making plays from there. He was the best playmaker BC had in 2017-18, but he was particularly good in the second half.
