Wed 12 Jun 2024 - 7:00PM
PANTHERS SIGN DEFENCEMAN MATT SPENCER
✅ CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR 2024-25 SEASON TICKET ✅
The Nottingham Panthers have signed experienced Canadian defenceman Matt Spencer for the 2024-25 season.
The 27-year-old had an impressive junior career with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, earning a call-up to the Canada U18 World Championship team where he won a bronze medal along with current NHL stars Matthew Barzal and Thomas Chabot.
He was picked in the second round, 44th overall, by Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
The Canadian began his professional career in North America and has played over 150 games in the East Coast Hockey League for Adirondack Thunder, Orlando Solar Bears and Cincinnati Cyclones.
He's also received numerous call-ups to the highly-regarded American Hockey League, playing 54 games across stints with Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans.
Spencer moved into Europe for the 2021-22 season to play for Austrian side Dornbirner EC before moving to the HC Pustertal of Italy.
Last year, he scored 14 points (3+11) in the regular season and then added five points (2+3) in the playoffs as he helped SønderjyskE become Danish champions.
"I have noticed how competitive the Elite League is getting and the fan support which looks unbelievable, especially in Nottingham," said Spencer.
"Overall, I feel this is a good move for me right now. Nottingham seems like a place that will be good for me and my partner.
"Playing across new leagues in Europe has given me confidence. You learn how to adapt to different situations and play slightly different roles.
"With me playing in Europe in the past few years, I have seen more and more about the Elite League. I am excited to come to the UK and play in front of the fanbase."
Panthers Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "Matt ticks a lot of boxes for us. He’s got great size, he skates and moves the puck well and plays a hard game defensively.
"One thing we want to be is tough to play against. He wins a lot of puck battles and makes things tough on opposing forwards.
"He’s very good defensively and still contributes going forward. He’s played key roles at high levels and will eat a lot of minutes for us next season."
Player sponsorship packages are available for the 2024-25 season. Please contact sarah@panthers.co.uk for further information.
Signing news brought to you in association with 2fawcett Recruitment.
The best-value way to watch the Panthers is with a season ticket - which offers superb value for money - and will once again cover 26 home Elite League games next season. The 27th home Elite League game not on the season ticket will once again be a heavily discounted midweek game following the successful sold-out £9 game against Guildford in March.
Meanwhile, new from next season, the all-in season will cover every single Panthers home game. This includes all 27 Elite League regular-season games, all five Challenge Cup home group games as well any subsequent home ties in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, a potential home playoff quarter-final and the three home pre-season matches played by the Panthers.
The season ticket application window will close to all fans on Sunday 30th June.
✅ CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR 2024-25 SEASON TICKET ✅