Cats First in The Hockey News Future Watch - Three Players among Top 50 Prospects

SUNRISE, FLA. ­ The Florida Panthers have been selected by The Hockey News as the top team in the 2004 "Future Watch," in its annual issue that ranks the players 21 years of age or younger from all 30 National Hockey League teams. The Panthers have vastly improved their organizational depth under General Manager Rick Dudley, who joined the club on May 10, 2002.

Florida was ranked 18th two years ago in the Future Watch, jumped up to the fourth spot in last years poll, and then grabbed the top spot this year. Dudley, Director of Scouting Scott Luce, and the Panthers scouting staff have drafted players who have quickly stepped into the lineup and contributed, such as 20-year-old D Jay Bouwmeester and 18-year-old C Nathan Horton.

Because they are currently in the NHL, Bouwmeester, Horton, and 20-year-old C Stephen Weiss were not included in the poll or its rankings.

"It¹s an honor to receive that recognition from The Hockey News and a tribute to the excellent work of our scouting staff," said Dudley. "We scour the world in search the best talent and we¹re proud of our work over the last couple of seasons. It¹s also a reflection of the hard work by the players themselves who have had the commitment and dedication to continue to improve since we drafted them. Additionally, it¹s a reflection of some of the fine work of Bryan and Tim Murray, who are now with Anaheim."

The Panthers have had three 21-and-unders with them throughout the season: Weiss, the No. 4 overall pick in 2001; Bouwmeester; 2002's No. 3 overall pick, and Horton, the No. 3 overall pick last June. Also with the Panthers is 20-year-old D Lukas Krajicek, the No. 24 overall pick in 2001. Krajicek is one of three Panthers ranked in the Top 50 prospects, a list compiled by polling head scouts, assistant general managers or directors of player personnel. RW Anthony Stewart, picked 25th overall in 2003, is No. 17 in the Top 50, Krajicek is 36th and C Vaclav Nedorost ranks 40th.

Rossiter and Scott reassigned to San Antonio

SUNRISE, FLA. ­ Florida Panthers General Manager Rick Dudley announced today that the Panthers have reassigned D Kyle Rossiter and G Travis Scott to San Antonio (AHL).

Rossiter, 23, joined the Panthers on February 9, 2004, but did not see any action in his most recent call up.

Scott, 28, was recalled yesterday on an emergency basis to back up G Roberto Luongo.

Earlier this season, Rossiter appeared in four games with the Panthers, recording no points. In nine career NHL games, he has been held without a point, while recording nine penalty minutes. The Edmonton, Alberta native has 10 points (4-6-10) and 61 penalty minutes in 37 games with the San Antonio this season.