Islanders loan 10-year NHL veteran to Europe
After not making the New York Islanders' opening night roster, 10-year NHL veteran Richard Panik has been loaned to Lausanne HC of Switzerland's National League, rather than being assigned to the AHL.
Note: the following quotes in this story are translated from French
"Richard is a player who has a wealth of experience at the highest level," said Lausanne HC head coach John Fust. "With his impressive size, he can take on the role of power forward as well as that of scorer."
Panik, 31, spent the majority of the 2021-22 season in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders and Chicago Wolves. In 39 games between the two teams, he recorded 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists), 43 penalty minutes and was a minus-eight. He went on to win the Calder Cup with the Wolves, putting up 11 points in 16 games along the way.
"I'm very happy to be in Switzerland," said Panik, who will wear number 77. It was my number one choice. I can't wait to play for the LHC in this very competitive league!"
The Martin (Slovakia) native now joins former NHLers Jiri Sekac, Ronalds Kenins, Michael Raffl and Cory Emmerton on Lausanne's roster.
Source: Lausanne HC
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