Tuesday night when Hurricanes fans were focused on the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning, there were whispers making their way through PNC Arena's press box. Skyler Brind'Amour, part of Quinnipiac's Championship team, and son of Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, would play for the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. News that was confirmed when the Panthers announced their lineup early yesterday morning.
Skyler was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL entry draft. "Like his father, Skyler is a two-way forward who plays a checking role. He is a very smart hockey player in his own end and always makes the simple hockey play. While Brind’Amour is safe in his own zone, he will need to work on his offensive game if he wants to crack an NHL roster,” read a scouting report from Dobber Prospects shortly after the draft.
After his selection, Brind’Amour played two years in the BCHA for the Chilliwack Chiefs. He spent two seasons at Connecticut University, which were largely unimpressive. Quinnipiac University would prove to be a perfect fit for Skyler's junior and senior years. In 145 games with the Bobcats Skyler was able to build up his offensive game. Without losing the trademark Brind'Amour defensive mind, Skyler becomes more productive in the offensive zone.
In April Skyler played a role in bringing the national championship to Quinnipiac. But before the rush of being a national champion had a chance to fade Skyler was forced to deal with the business of hockey. Elliott Freidman laid out the situation well on 32 Thoughts the Podcast. “The Oilers have to make a decision. The thing they like best about him is that he's a Brind'Amour. - I think Brind’Amour is gonna have to decide if Edmonton is the best path for him, because like I’ve said before, I think the vultures are circling. The way he’s played I think there’s gonna be some teams saying ‘If you go to free agency we’re interested."
Untimently Skyler Brind'Amour signed a two-year deal with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. Minor league affiliate of the Florida Panthers. It's not lost on anyone that Charlotte is only a three-and-a-half-hour drive from PNC Arena.
As a member of the Florida Panthers Development Camp, Skyler Brind'Amour made his NHL preseason debut last night against his hometown team. "I'm happy for him to get that opportunity," Rod Brind'Amour said yesterday morning. "I hope he makes the best of it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I know he's put a lot of hard work in over the years. I've witnessed it. So, I think it's going to be pretty special."
"It's not the reason he's going in the game, it just kind of worked out right," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said before the game. "I think it'll be a little weird at first, but honestly I'm not going to pay too much attention to him," Skyler said about his father.
Florida fell to the Hurricanes 4-1. Carolina entered the final frame down one before hammering home three unanswered goals in just 4:16 to take the lead. Skyler Brind'Amour was noticeable early in the game. Unfortunately for him, he only appeared on the scoresheet for a holding penalty in the second period.
Postgame Skyler might have been on the wrong side of the victory but he still showed a wide grin when speaking to the media. "A dream come true to play in this building," Skyler Brind'Amour said. "Obviously would've liked a better outcome for the fellas, but it was awesome."
"He's skated on this ice more than probably anyone else," Rod said postgame. "Since he was a little kid, every chance we got we'd be out there. So, it's special. Now we have something to talk about forever and that's pretty cool."
"Florida fell to the Hurricanes 4-1. Carolina entered the final frame down by two" The math ain't mathing