Thursday, September 27, 2012

Lumberjacks Defenseman Heads to AHL for Training Camp

Press Release

Muskegon Lumberjacks defenseman Rasmus Bengtsson is making a detour before beginning the USHL season as the Florida Panthers draft pick is heading to training camp in the American Hockey League.
“I am excited that I am going to San Antonio to show the Florida Panthers what I am all about,” said Bengtsson smiling.  “It will be a tough camp with a lot of great players there, but this camp will give me a great deal of experience so that I am more prepared mentally and physically for going to Panthers training camp next season.”

The 19-year-old from Landskrona, Sweden was selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (59th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.  He joined the Lumberjacks in January and put up 11 points (3g, 8a) in 34 regular season games.  Bengtsson is one of 18 NHL Draft picks on USHL rosters this season and the highest drafted player currently in the League.

The 6-2, 195-pound defenseman will report to the San Antonio Rampage, AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, to begin training camp with the club which opens Monday.  Bengtsson is currently scheduled to spend the entire week with the professional team before returning to Muskegon.  He will compete at the training camp with top prospects for the Florida Panthers in addition to AHL veterans and could see action in preseason games later in the week for the Rampage.

“I am very pleased for Rasmus – it is awesome for him personally, and for our program,” said Josh Mervis, Lumberjacks Owner/CEO.  “I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the Florida Panthers for entrusting his development to us, and also to his advisors at CAA, Peter Werner and J.P. Barry, for having the confidence in the Lumberjacks and in the USHL as the path to help him prepare for the NHL.”

Despite losing a top defenseman for the start of the season, the Jacks staff is happy to see Bengtsson participate in the AHL camp.  “I am very excited for Rasmus as it is a great step to starting his pro career,” said Lumberjacks Head Coach Jim McKenzie. “It is a great opportunity for him, and he will gain a great amount of experience in going to the camp.”


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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