Panthers Assign Shaw, Matheson, McKegg to Pirates

April 27, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - Florida Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that forwards Logan Shaw and Greg McKegg, as well as defenseman Mike Matheson, have been assigned to the Portland Pirates for the remainder of their run in the Calder Cup Playoffs. All three players saw action with the Panthers in their recent Stanley Cup Playoff series against the New York Islanders.

Shaw, a 6-foot-3, 204 pound right wing from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, was recalled by Florida on April 16. He skated in Games 4, 5, and 6 of Florida's first round Stanley Cup Playoff series against New York. During the regular season, the 23 year-old third year pro skated in 53 games for Florida, scoring five goals and adding two assists for seven points.

In 19 games with Portland this season, Shaw scored 11-3-14 for the season, including a run of four goals and two assists for six points during a six-game stretch from April 2-15. Shaw was selected in the Third Round (76th Overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Panthers.

McKegg, a 6-foot, 185 pound center from St. Thomas, Ontario, has been with Florida since being recalled from Portland on March 14. The 23 year-old played in 15 games with Florida this season and scored the first two goals of his NHL career. His first goal came on March 29 at the BB&T Center against his first NHL team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He followed up with a goal in his next appearance at the Bell Centre on April 5 against the Montreal Canadiens. McKegg also played in Game 3 of the Panthers first round Stanley Cup Playoff series on April 17.

With the Pirates this season, McKegg scored 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 47 games. He is the only Pirates player to score a hat trick this season, accomplishing the feat on October 23 at Cross Insurance Arena in a 4-2 win against the Albany Devils. McKegg scored the final three goals of the game to lead a comeback effort for Portland.

Drafted by Toronto in the Third Round (62nd Overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, McKegg was traded to Florida last June in exchange for forward Zach Hyman and conditional draft pick. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on July 8.

Matheson, a 6-foot-2, 198 pound defenseman from Pointe-Claire, Quebec, was recalled to Florida for the second time this season on April 7. He played his third game with the Panthers in their regular season finale on April 9 against the Carolina Hurricanes. After sitting out Game 1 of the Panthers' first round Stanley Cup Playoff series, Matheson played in the final five games of the series. His first pro point came in Game 3 with an assist on Reilly Smith's goal only 2:25 into the game.

The 22 year-old rookie played in 54 games this season with Portland, notching a scoring line of 8-12-20. He finished with the second highest plus/minus rating on the team at +14 and was named winner of the Jack Button Award, given to the Pirates player deemed as the best NHL prospect for the season.

Drafted in the First Round (23rd Overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by Florida, Matheson played three seasons for the Boston College Eagles, where he served as Captain in his final season as a junior (2014-15) and was named a Second Team All-American in his sophomore season (2013-14).

All three will join the Pirates in time to be eligible for Game 3 of Portland's Atlantic Division Semifinal series against the Hershey Bears.

With the best-of-five series knotted at a game apiece, the Atlantic Division Semifinal series shifts to Hershey for Game 3 on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Game 4 will be on Saturday night, April 30, at 7:00 p.m., with Game 5, if necessary on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m.

Join "Voice of the Pirates" Jeff Mannix for all the action on the WLOB Portland Pirates Radio Network, Presented by Napa Auto Parts, beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show, Served by Dunkin Donuts, at 6:40 this Thursday night on 100.5 FM/1310 AM.

It's time to get on board for the 2016-17 season. Crew members have until April 30th to renew their season tickets. Call 207-PIRATES to speak with a ticket representative.



American Hockey League Stories from April 27, 2016


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