Eric Selleck may have averaged nearly two points a game last season at NCAA Division III Oswego State, but he knew this season that pro scouts wouldn’t be basing evaluations on his offensive production.
In making the sizeable leap from DIII college hockey to the American Hockey League, Selleck has gone from go-to guy to go-look-for-trouble guy.
Which is exactly what the NHL’s Florida Panthers want to see from the 6-foot-2, 195-pound left winger. They didn’t sign Selleck to replace David Booth on the depth chart; they want him to develop into a power forward who can bruise with body checks.
In 13 games, Selleck has three assists and 45 penalty minutes. He has delivered more than his share of crunching hits and just three other AHL rookies have more penalty minutes.
“He’s accepted that role,” Rochester Americans coach Chuck Weber said. “The one thing he has shown is that he’s willing to stick up for his teammates and he’s willing to create momentum.”