Wed 24 Jul 2024 - 6:10PM

NETMINDER HUNTER VORVA JOINS PANTHERS

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Netminder Hunter Vorva has signed a deal with the Nottingham Panthers for the 2024-25 season.

The 28-year-old highly-rated prospect joins the Panthers after an impressive season with his hometown club Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL where he returned a .92 save percentage.

The USA-born goalie had a solid four-year college career in the NCAA, being named Player of the Season in 2018-19, before spending part of the lockdown 2020-21 campain in France as he helped Marseille to the championship title.

In 2020-21, he led the SPHL with Huntsville Havoc in goals against (1.93) and save percentage (.934) and was named the league's Goaltender of the year.

His performances in the minor leagues and the ECHL attracted the attentions of the AHL scouts, earning him professional tryout contracts with Cleveland Monsters and Rochester Americans.

Panthers Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "Hunter has been one of the more consistent goalies in the ECHL in the past two seasons.

"His work rate and compete levels in the net are phenomenal. He fights for every puck and guys love playing in front of that.

"His numbers speak for themselves and he will be a great part of our netminders next season."

Vorva said: "I'm really excited to be a Panther and to get over to Nottingham and see the great fans.

"I know in the UK it's different with the different trophies you can win in a season and obviously the ultimate goal is to win them all.

"Everywhere you go you want to win of course and after talking with Danny (Stewart) and Omar (Pacha), seeing the recruits coming in, they are building towards that."

Vorva has had three separate stints in the AHL and despite not playing a regular-season game, he says the experience of facing some top-class players in training has really helped his game.

"I got the experience to face guys who have played in the NHL and that lights a fire under you," continued Vorva. "It was just a little taste but it was awesome.

"Just watching the little detail they do day in, day out on the ice and being able to work with the goalie coach in Cleveland, it really helped me."

Vorva played alongside Tanner Sorenson last season and says the former Panther helped him decide to come to the UK.

"Tanner told me about the amazing city and the amazing fans in Nottingham," said Vorva.

"It certainly helped me make my decision having a guy that has played there, telling you it is amazing."

Player sponsorship packages are available for the 2024-25 season. Please contact sarah@panthers.co.uk for further information.

Emails for an individual player will only be accepted once the announcement has been made on our website and social media channels.

Signing news brought to you in association with 2fawcett Recruitment.