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Congratulations to future Boston College defenseman Michael Matheson who was selected in the first round (23rd overall) of this year's NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers.
Matheson is a 6-foot-1, 178 pound defenseman from Canada. In 2011-12, Matheson's first season in the USHL, he led all Dubuque Fighting Saints defensemen with 27 points (11-16-27), ranking tied for sixth on the club in scoring. He added five points (4 goals, 1 assist) in five playoff games with Dubuque.
The Point-Claire, Quebec native represented Canada at the 2011 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and played for Team Quebec at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he finished with eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in six games.
Matheson becomes just the 14th Boston College Eagle to get selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, joining some exclusive company: Craig Janney (1986, Boston Bruins), Brian Leetch (1986, New York Rangers), Bill Guerin (1989, New Jersey Devils), Marty Reasoner (1996, St. Louis Blues), Brooks Orpik (2000, Pittsburgh Penguins), Krys Kolanos (2000, Phoenix Coyotes), Chuck Kobasew (2001, Calgary Flames), Brian Boyle (2003, Los Angeles Kings), Patrick Eagles (2003, Ottawa Senators), Cory Schneider (2004, Vancouver Canucks), Nick Petrecki (2007, San Jose Sharks), Chris Kreider (2009, New York Rangers) and Kevin Hayes (2010, Chicago Blackhawks).
For more on the Florida Panthers, check out Litter Box Cats.