NHL Prospect Watch: Florida Panthers

Ahead of the 2025-26 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for each of the NHL’s 32 teams. This series will highlight current and former WHL players who are signed to an NHL contract, have recently been drafted by an NHL team, or meet the NHL’s definition of a rookie.

We saved the best for last – the Stanley Cup champions, of course.

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Marek Alscher

Defenceman Marek Alscher, 21, is set to embark on his second professional season as a member of the Florida Panthers organization. Breaking into the pro ranks with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers last season, the product of Kladno, Czechia, appeared in 53 games, recording 10 points (2G-8A) and a minus-2 rating. He also made his way into 17 post-season contests, helping the Checkers advance to the Calder Cup Final, where they fell to the Abbotsford Canucks.

Selected by the Panthers in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 198-pound rearguard helps the Winterhawks advance to the WHL Championship Series in 2024, where they fell to the Moose Jaw Warriors.

For three seasons, Alscher was a mainstay on the Winterhawks blueline, appearing in 178 career games, tallying 66 points (22G-44A) and a plus-49 rating.

The Winterhawks selected Alscher in the first round (26th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

🎥 HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT 🎥

Marek Alscher logged a few miles Wednesday night.@pdxwinterhawks | @FlaPanthers#WHLHoN | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/6WTlulgbvT

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 1, 2024

Shea Busch

Everett Silvertips forward Shea Busch’s time in the WHL has been short to date, but the 6-foot-3, 214-pound product of North Vancouver has made the most of it.

Joining the Silvertips midway through the 2024-25 season, Busch immediately provided secondary scoring for the eventual Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy-winning ‘Tips, chipping in with 19 points (11G-8A) in 39 regular season games.

Busch, 18, elevated his play come the post-season, registering 11 points (6G-5A) in 13 games.

Evidently, the Florida Panthers were impressed with what they saw from Busch, using a fourth-round pick (128th overall) to select him in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Say hey Shea!@WHLsilvertips | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/idKwX5z89G

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) April 6, 2025

Josh Davies

Former Portland Winterhawks forward Josh Davies, who was also part of the 2024 Western Conference Championship team alongside Alscher, is entering his second pro season within the Florida Panthers organization.

The 2024-25 campaign was a mixed bag for the 21-year-old product of Calgary, Alta. Davies saw action in 18 games with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, but spent the bulk of the season with the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates, collecting 16 points (11G-5A) in 34 games.

Originally selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the third round (54th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Davies enjoyed a breakout year during his final season with the Winterhawks, notching 61 points (36G-25A) in 55 games. Over 204 career WHL games split between the Broncos and Winterhawks, he secured 140 points (78G-62A).

The Panthers selected Davies in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.

JOSH DAVIES WINS IT IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO SEND THE @PDXWINTERHAWKS TO THE #WHLCHAMPIONSHIP SERIES!#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture | @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/9zlDKKTfTE

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 7, 2024

Brendan Dunphy

Much like the aforementioned Busch, defenceman Brendan Dunphy made his way to the WHL midway through the 2024-25 campaign and made the most of the decision.

Appearing in 47 games with the Wenatchee Wild, the 6-foot-5, 207-pound native of San Diego, Calif., tallied 22 points (4G-18A). The Florida Panthers liked it and selected Dunphy in the seventh round (197th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.

San Diego local Brendan Dunphy is hoping for some home-state advantage at the NHL Draft!@WHLwild_ | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/QCl8jyvW3p

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 27, 2025

Oliver Okuliar

Former Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Oliver Okuliar took a different path to an NHL entry-level contract.

After one season in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, the native of Trencin, Slovakia, moved west, joining the Hurricanes for the 2019-20 campaign. It worked out well, as Okuliar managed 68 points (33G-35A) in 55 games. He also represented Slovakia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship that year, tallying four points (2G-2A) in five games.

Then COVID-19 hit.

Okuliar went back home where he spent four seasons in Europe, hopping from his native Slovakia to the Finnish Elite League, and then to Czechia for two seasons. Then on April 11, 2024, he signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers.

The 2024-25 season was a productive one for the 6-foot-2, 190-pound winger, as he registered 41 points (19G-22A) in 69 games with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Okuliar helped the Checkers advance to the Calder Cup Final, notching eight points (4G-4A) in 18 games.

As of today, Okuliar remains a restricted free agent whose rights belong to the Panthers. He is set to spend the 2025-26 campaign in Sweden with Skelleftea AIK of the SHL.

Oliver Okuliar of the @WHLHurricanes is ranked 154th heading into the #NHLDraft following an outstanding 2019-20 campaign!

WATCH 🎥 pic.twitter.com/1ti4Ki5C0x

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) October 2, 2020

Gracyn Sawchyn

Forward Gracyn Sawchyn is ready to embark on his first pro season following a successful three seasons in the WHL, which included a WHL Championship with Seattle and a place on the WHL Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team with Edmonton.

Originally selected by the Red Deer Rebels with the first overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, the 6-foot, 154-pound Sawchyn debuted with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2022-23. After a point-per-game regular season, which included 58 points in 58 games, Sawchyn tallied 11 points (3G-8A) in 17 games as the Thunderbirds claimed the franchise’s second Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Serving as an alternate captain this past season, the product of Grande Prairie, Alta., exploded for 78 points (30G-48A) in 54 games.

Selected by the Panthers in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, the 20-year-old Sawchyn is expected to make his pro debut with AHL’s Charlotte Checkers this season.

For the first time in his WHL career, Gracyn Sawchyn is a 30-goal scorer 🤩

3-1 Oil Kings in an afternoon Battle of Alberta!@EdmOilKings | @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/aO9HjQ3era

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 16, 2025

Hunter St. Martin

A member of Medicine Hat’s 2025 WHL Championship team, left winger Hunter St. Martin has shown continual growth over his time in the WHL.

Selected by the Tigers in the sixth round (124th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound power forward has impressed with his skating and tenacity. The 2024-25 season saw the native of Edmonton, Alta., emerge with a career-best 39 goals and 59 points in 65 games. St. Martin’s star shone brightest during the 2025 WHL Playoffs, as he recorded 17 points (7G-10A) in 18 games, helping the Tigers claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

The son of former WHL player Blair St. Martin and former Canadian National Figure Skating Team member Susan Humphreys-St. Martin, Hunter comes from athletic genes.

Selected by the Panthers in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, St. Martin signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Florida on October 24, 2024.

He is expected to make his pro debut with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers this season.

Hunter St. Martin couldn't have done it without his parents.

The @FlaPanthers prospect and @tigershockey forward credits his success at the junior hockey level to his mom/skating coach and former Canadian Olympic Figure Skater, Susan, and Tigers alumnus Dad, Blair!🧡 pic.twitter.com/KQ3CWlBJ6u

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 1, 2025