Marc Cheverie signs with Florida Panthers

The Denver Pioneers lost another player as their all-star goalie Marc Cheverie will forgo his final year of college eligibility to sign a professional contract with the Florida Panthers.

Players leaving early in the WCHA

Denver Pioneers(3)
Joe Colborne, So, F, Boston Bruins
Patrick Wiercioch, So, D, Ottawa Senators
Marc Cheverie, Jr, G, Florida Panthers

Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves(2)
Lee Baldwin, Fr, D, New York Rangers
Bryce Christianson, Jr, G, Stockton (ECHL)

Minnesota Gophers(1)
Jordan Schroeder, So, F, Vancouver Canucks

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs(1)
Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks

SUNRISE, FL – Florida Panthers General Manager Randy Sexton announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry level contract with G Marc Cheverie.

“We are very pleased to have reached a contract agreement with Marc,” said Sexton. “He is very talented prospect who we believe will have a bright future in our organization. He has gained tremendous experience while playing at the University of Denver and we look forward to his continued growth and development as a member of the Florida Panthers.”

Cheverie, 23, was recently selected as one of the top ten candidates for the 2010 Hockey Baker Award, honoring college hockey’s top player, after finishing the season as the national leader in wins (24), save percentage (.937) and shutouts (6). The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native posted a 24-4-3 overall mark while playing for the University of Denver this season, helping his team earn the No. 1 ranking in the Division I standings.

The four-time Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week claimed the WCHA goaltending title with a 2.05 goals against average in league play. Cheverie is the sixth Pioneer to earn league MVP honors, joining Jerry Walker (1961), Keith Magnuson (1968), Ron Grahame (1973), Dallas Gaume (1986) and Matt Carle (2006). Cheverie was also honored as the WCHA Player of the Year, College Hockey News Player of the Year and Inside College Hockey (INCH) Goaltender of the Year.

Cheverie was drafted by Florida in the seventh round (193rd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.