FORT LAUDERDALE\u00a0\u2014 To the average Florida Panthers fan, the name of\u00a0Geordie Kinnear\u00a0may not be all that familiar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But when it comes to the development of young players within the organization, Kinnear is most important.<\/p>\n
Kinnear ran the recently completed development camp at the IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n
If there is anyone capable of evaluating young talent, it is Kinnear.<\/p>\n
His NHL playing career consisted of four games on defense with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2000.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kinnear spent 13 years as an AHL player followed by 22 seasons in coaching capacities within hockey\u2019s top minor league level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since 2016, he has coached Florida\u2019s AHL team \u2014 first in Springfield, then Charlotte.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The AHL is the first source of talent when roster replacements are needed.<\/p>\n
Between his head coaching duties and running Florida\u2019s development and rookie camps he gets to see just about every one of Florida\u2019s home-grown prospects.<\/p>\n
In short, he is responsible for maximizing the talents of his players and teaching them the Florida Panthers\u2019 systems.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s camp was dramatically smaller than previous camps, with only 24 players in attendance. It allowed for far more personal instruction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have a small group,\u201d Kinnear said, \u201cyou can get to know people a lot better and get more of a relationship. So, I thought, honestly, it was a home run for not only the players but for the coaching staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny time you can go out and teach and get to know other kids from different environments, from different places, I think it was a home run and I always really look forward to it, because you can really get to teach and get back to a lot more basics. \u00a0So, it was a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
The true satisfaction is seeing a drafted player working his way through the system and ultimately making it to the NHL.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the only way to truly develop a relationship is from the starting point,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s a great joy that you get to see those guys over time. A lot of those guys were just drafted on Saturday and then they\u2019re in Florida. It\u2019s pretty special. Hopefully we had some impact on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the youngsters turn pro and reach the AHL for development, they are taught what it truly means to be a professional, both on and off the ice.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me I believe it\u2019s such a great league for people to come in \u2014 junior kids, college kids \u2013 their first year of pro experience because it\u2019s a very difficult league,\u2019\u2019 Kinnear said. \u201cSome stuff you learn is not always on the ice. It\u2019s off the ice. I\u2019m very fortunate. In Charlotte, we have a great organization there. It\u2019s such a great development league for those guys, to be able to make mistakes and get their game seasoned.\u00a0 More importantly, off the ice, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Charlotte, Kinnear believes his No. 1 job is to help his players to be ready when they get their opportunity with the Panthers, whether it is a young player getting his first shot or a veteran who experiences frequent call-ups.<\/p>\n
Shea Busch, a 2025 fourth-round pick was in his second camp and knows Kinnear a little better than the first timers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a leader for sure. He helps the guys out a lot. Really vocal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before development camp ended Florida GM\u00a0Bill Zito\u00a0expressed his appreciation for Kinnear\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe took [Charlotte] to the finals a year ago. The team\u2019s always competitive,\u2019\u2019 Zito said. \u201cI\u2019m stealing more \u2018Paul Maurice-isms,\u2019 but every time a player comes up, they\u2019re prepared. They\u2019re seamless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just plug them right in and they don\u2019t make mistakes; they know where to go. Geordie and that whole staff down there deserve so much credit for the hard work and the dedication and the hockey excellence. We can\u2019t give them enough credit.\u201d<\/p>\n
When last season wound down and the Panthers were plagued with injuries the lineup was dotted as many as ten with Charlotte callups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They did not embarrass themselves. Far from it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS\u00a0OFFSEASON<\/p>\n
NHL Free Agency:\u00a0Opened Wednesday<\/a><\/p>\n Panthers Rookie Camp\/Tournament:\u00a0Late August\/Early Sept.; Site TBA<\/p>\n Panthers Training Camp:\u00a0Early\/Mid September; Fort Lauderdale\u00a0<\/p>\n