Panthers sign prospect Josh Davies to three-year, entry-level contract

The Florida Panthers announced on Thursday that they signed forward Josh Davies to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Davis, 19, was a sixth-round pick for the Panthers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 5-foot-9 forward has 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points, as well as 42 penalty minutes, in 22 games with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

“Josh is a physical, energetic and talented player who competes with heart and tenacity,” said Panthers General Manager Barry Zito. “We are excited to have him continue to develop his game within our system.”

Through five WHL seasons with the Winterhawks and the Swift Current Broncos, Davies has 61 goals, 49 assists for 110 points and 310 penalty minutes in 171 games.

“Davies is chaos personified,” said Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff’s prospect analyst. “He loves to hit everything that moves. He’s 5-foot-9 but he plays like a wrecking ball. And he’s producing well now, too. He’s an energy guy that’ll get the fans screaming if he makes it as a bottom-six forward.”

Davies appeared in one AHL game with the Charlotte Checkers in 2022-23.

On the international stage, Davies represented Canada at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, notching one assist over three games.

The Panthers are coming off a 5-4 win over the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. They currently sit second in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division with a 15-8-2 record and 32 points.

Their next game is Friday night as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins, followed by an afternoon matinee in Ohio against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

As of Dec. 7, forward Sam Reinhart leads the club with 17 goals and 32 points in 25 games.