For a night that seemed to be taken over by Carey Price, young Florida Panthers defense man had the finishing touch for his first successful professional season. Going from being drafted 1st overall to winning the Rookie of the year, Panthers can only smile at what they have just witnessed with now a 19 year old rising star.
Beating out other rookies such as Mark Stone and Johnny Gaudreau, Aaron Ekblad was right fully chosen as he came straight from Juniors and had an immediate impact on a struggling team. Others could have been great picks as well, but what Aaron Ekblad was able to do in his first season was jaw dropping.