© Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When asked the biggest thing he needs to work on to reach the NHL, Gracyn Sawchyn smiled.

“This summer, my main focus is clearly on gaining strength and a bit of weight,” emphasized the 19-year-old Florida Panthers center prospect.

Sawchyn, chosen by the Panthers as the 63rd pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, will need to develop more physicality before advancing to the next stage.

Despite being listed at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Sawchyn showcases a remarkable ability to play beyond his physical dimensions.

That was the initial observation Florida made about him during his first training camp last year, apart from his exceptional playmaking skills.

“He’s gotten his body in there and that’s great for someone that age and that size,” said forward Sam Reinhart, who played on the right side of Sawchyn’s line at the start of camp last September.

It is evident that he will keep growing physically, but what truly matters is that he is not avoiding contact; instead, he is actively seeking it. This mindset will assist in his learning process and serve as motivation to persistently improve even outside of the training sessions.

After showcasing an impressive performance at his initial development camp last year, Sawchyn’s exceptional skills during the Panthers rookie tournament caught the attention of coach Paul Maurice. Consequently, when training camp commenced, Sawchyn found himself alongside experienced players like Reinhart.

According to Maurice, despite being a young guy and not the most physically imposing player on the ice, he manages to stay on the puck, actively participates in the game, and competes with great determination during drills.

Despite his age, I had assumed he would become exhausted after three days, but he proved me wrong.

After completing his first NHL camp, Sawchyn made his way back to Seattle of the Western Hockey League, where he showcased his skills with an impressive performance of 21 points, consisting of six goals and 15 assists, in just 17 games.

In December, the individual hailing from Grande Prairie, Alberta, was transferred to his home province. He joined the Edmonton team of the WHL, accompanied by his younger brother Lukas, as part of a trade agreement that also involved returning seven draft picks to Seattle.

Sawchyn said, “In Edmonton, my role was different and I really enjoyed it. It definitely contributed to my personal growth.”

In 37 WHL games with Edmonton, Sawchyn achieved a total of 43 points, comprising 13 goals and 30 assists. Towards the end of the season, he joined Florida’s AHL team in Charlotte; however, he did not have the opportunity to play.

Sawchyn, who played a critical role on the top line in his second Panthers development camp earlier this month, is set to return to South Florida for another rookie tournament. This presents him with yet another opportunity to impress the coaching staff during training camp, before heading back to Edmonton for what may potentially be his last junior season.

“It was absolutely incredible,” Sawchyn exclaimed about his trade to Edmonton. “After spending a couple of years in the States, having a lot of family there, it felt amazing to be back.”