After going undrafted, solid play from Barrie Colts goaltender Mack Guzda has led to a professional contract for the Tennessee ntaive.
Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito announced on Monday (Feb. 7) that Guzda has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract.
"Guzda has been a standout goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League this season," Zito said on the team's website. "We are excited about his growth and are thrilled that he will continue his development in our organization."
Guzda, 21, has appeared in 26 OHL games with the Owen Sound Attack and Barrie Colts in 2021-22. In 16 appearances so far with Barrie, he has posted an 11-4-1-0 record, .925 save percentage, 2.17 goals-against average and two shutouts. In 10 appearances with Owen Sound, Guzda recorded a 5-4-0-1 record, .915 save percentage and 3.20 goals against average.
Guzda was named OHL goaltender of the month for January 2022 and December 2021. He owns a 14-4-1-0 overall record since Oct. 30.
The six-foot-five, 215-pound native of Knoxville, Tenn., has appeared in 156 regular-season Ontario Hockey League games with Owen Sound (2017-18 to 2021-22) before being traded to the Barrie Colts this season. He has a 74-53-11-7 record in the OHL.
Guzda is also a two-time recipient of the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award as the OHL's top academic high school player in 2017-18 and 2018-19, and was also named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team in 2017-18.
In the Florida organization, Guzda joins former Barrie Colts captain Aaron Ekblad, who was a first-overall pick and 2015 NHL rookie of the year.
