Florida Panthers sign Ryan McAllister to entry-level contract

Mike Gould
Mike Gould
Florida Panthers sign Ryan McAllister to entry-level contract

The Florida Panthers have signed Western Michigan University forward Ryan McAllister to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Monday afternoon.

McAllister, 21, collected 13 goals and 49 points in 39 games as a freshman with the WMU Broncos during the 2022–23 season. His entry-level deal with the Panthers will take effect in the 2023–24 season and run through the end of 2025–26.

“Ryan is a talented playmaking forward who showcased his dynamic ability in his first season in college hockey,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said Monday. “We are looking forward to his continued development within our club.”

McAllister previously attended the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect development camp prior to the 2022–23 season.

McAllister successfully made the jump to Western Michigan after dominating the Alberta Junior Hockey League (and the Canadian Junior A hockey circuit) with the Brooks Bandits during the 2021–22 season.

The five-foot-ten center, who shoots left, collected 57 goals and 139 points in just 60 games with the 2021–22 Bandits. He added 10 goals and 29 points in 13 playoff games as Brooks captured the AJHL championship.

From there, McAllister recorded eight goals and 18 points in six games to help the Bandits win the 2022 Centennial Cup, awarded to the top Junior A team in Canada. McAllister was named the AJHL MVP, the AJHL playoff MVP, and the top forward at the Centennial Cup for his efforts with the 2022 Bandits.

McAllister, an undrafted player, skated alongside NHL picks Corson Ceulemans and Taylor Makar during his tenure with Brooks (which was also once the junior home of Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar). He recorded 70 goals and 169 points in 99 games over parts of three seasons with the Bandits.

The Panthers will return to action on Tuesday evening to play host to the Buffalo Sabres at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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