NEWS

Declan Carlile (left) signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning while former Wellington Dukes teammate Zach Uens got his entry-level deal done with the Florida Panthers today. Both are reporting to AHL affiliate teams. (OJHL Images photos / Tim Bates and Ed McPherson)

Two defencemen who played together on an Ontario Junior Hockey League championship team signed entry-level contracts with NHL teams today.

Zach Uens signed with the Florida Panthers and will start his professional career with the team’s AHL affiliate the Charlotte Checkers. Uens, 20, was a fourth-round pick of the Panthers in the 2020 NHL draft. 

"Zachary is a dynamic and skilled defenseman who excels at moving the puck," said Florida GM Bill Zito. "He showcased his competitiveness during his three seasons at Merrimack and we're looking forward to his continued growth and development taking place within the Panthers organization."

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Declan Carlile who will join the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. The 22-year-old was an NHL free agent.

Both are defencemen who played together at NCAA Division 1 Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack was eliminated from the playoffs last weekend.

Carlile was named to the 2021-22 Hockey East Second All-Star team. 

The Michigan native was on the OJHL’s All-Prospect Second Team while playing with the league champion Wellington Dukes in 2017-18. The Dukes went on to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup and play in the national championship game that season.

Carlile is not in the lineup for Syracuse’s game with Hartford tonight.

Uens, a Belleville product, was also on the blueline of that Dukes title team four years ago. He was named to the OJHL’s All-Prospect Second Team in 2017-18 and to the First Team in 2018-19. Over his collegiate career, Uens totaled 44 points (7G/37A) in 82 games.

The Charlotte Checkers return to action Thursday for the first of a three-game set on home ice against the Providence Bruins.