Former Hurricanes forward Okuliar signs entry-level deal with Florida Panthers
Former Lethbridge Hurricanes winger Oliver Okuliar has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers beginning in the 2024-25 season, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced Friday.
“Oliver is a dynamic forward whose offensive game has grown significantly while playing professionally in Europe,” Zito said in a release. “We are excited to see his further growth in his return to North America.”
Signed ✍️
We have agreed to terms with forward Oliver Okuliar on a one-year, entry-level contract commencing in the 2024-25 season!
📝 » https://t.co/a80HFzhxlI pic.twitter.com/9uXvOH2OUt
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 12, 2024
The 23-year-old recently completed his second season with Mountfield HK of the Czech Extraliga in 2023-24, tallying 24 goals and 21 assists for 45 points in 52 games.
Okuliar led the team in goals and points and ranked second in penalty minutes (53).
The Trencin, Slovakia product has also played in the Finnish Liiga and in the Slovak Extraliga since graduating from junior hockey.
Okuliar racked up 33 goals and 35 assists for 68 points in 55 games with Lethbridge in 2019-20, highlighted by a stellar week that saw him record back-to-back hat tricks on a Manitoba road trip.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward was selected by the Hurricanes with the 49th pick in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.
He has also represented Slovakia on the international stage at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, the 2020 U20 World Junior Championship and the 2018 U18 World Junior Championship.