Panthers Get Funk

The Florida Panthers picked defenceman Michael Funk from the Portland Winterhawks as their 1rst pick (25th overall) in this years draft.

The 6-4 - 199lbs defenceman from Abbotsford, British Columbia is full of promise. He is speedy, can pass and has an good shot. He will be able to hone these skills in Florida's JR system.

"We are excited to have Michael in our organization." New GM Michael Perrault told reporters."This kid can skate. He plays on both the pp and the pk and can pass very well. He will be fun to watch develope and we are hopeing that he will be up with the Pro team within a couple years. We would like him to develope into a more all round defenceman. We feel Michael will fit in real well in the Panthers future."