Four-year Prince Albert Raiders veteran Justin Nachbaur is off to rookie camp with the NHL's Florida Panthers. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Nachbaur Rookie Camp

Former Raiders forward Nachbaur to attend Florida Panthers rookie camp

Aug 18, 2021 | 4:00 PM

The junior career of longtime Prince Albert Raiders forward Justin Nachbaur came to an end at the conclusion of last season as he aged out of the league.

However, he’s taken the first step on what may prove to be the road to a professional career.

Nachbaur has been invited to the Florida Panthers rookie camp beginning on September 10. The four-year veteran of the Raiders posted nine goals and 15 points in 22 games in the hub games.

“I was kind of shocked at first, filled with mixed emotions,” Nachbaur said. “I’ve never been to an NHL rookie camp before, this will be my first time. I was very happy and excited.”

Nachbaur may not have been invited to an NHL rookie camp before, but he actually got more than one invite after his final season of junior hockey. He had a similar invitation from the Los Angeles Kings, but ended up choosing to go to Florida acting on some advice from his agent.

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“Obviously they have a really good roster,” said Nachbaur. “Their organization is first-class. I’m just going to go there and learn as much as I can and gain as much experience as I can and go from there.”

Nachbaur hails from Cross Lake, Man., and he is not the first connection from that town to the Panthers. His former teammate with the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and fellow Cross Lake native Brady Keeper joined the Panthers after his college career was over, making his NHL debut with the team.

“He said it’s an awesome organization,” Nachbaur said. “There’s a lot of stuff I’ve been talking to him about. He said to go there with the right attitude and things will go your way. He’s kind of been there for me and he’s a really good guy.”

During his time with the Raiders, Nachbaur showed some touch around the net, but also displayed a punishing physical style. Those two attributes will, he hopes, make him an attractive prospect.

“I’ll just play my game,” he said. “I’m a power forward. I’m going to do the things that I need to do that make me successful, whether it be my shot, blocking shots or taking the body.”

The former Raider bleeds green and white and had nothing but good things to say about the city and his time here. His fondest memories naturally ran back to the championship year in 2018-19.

“It’s a huge privilege to win a championship in junior hockey,” he said. “I’m just happy I got the opportunity to win one with my teammates… I’ll never forget being a Raider. Once a Raider, always a Raider.”

Nachbaur finished his WHL career with 216 games played, during which time he posted 89 points and registered 228 penalty minutes.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP