NAHL Alumnus, Wilmer Skoog, Makes NHL Debut with Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers announced on Saturday, April 11, 2026 that former Minot Minotauro and Maryland Black Bear skater, Wilmer Skoog, was called up to the Florida Panthers to make his NHL debut. The former NAHL forward has spent the past three seasons playing for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Skoog spent two seasons playing in the League of Opportunity. He started his junior campaign with the Minot Minotauros for the 2018-19 season following being drafted in the 10th round, 225th overall in the 2018 NAHL Entry Draft. He played in 64 games, tallying 20 goals while making 32 assists for the Tauros in his rookie season. His 47 points in the regular season also ranked him third in scoring for Minot.

That following summer, the Stockholm, Sweden, native secured a commitment to Boston University. Following his Division I commitment, Skoog returned to playing in the NAHL but was acquired by the Maryland Black Bears before the 2019-20 season commenced. He played in 24 games with the Black Bears in their second season as a team in the NAHL. Skoog featured 33 points in that span, finding twine 15 times while notching 18 assists. Following the first half of the season, Skoog received the opportunity to head to Boston University early and play with the Terriers for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

Skoog hit the ice in 17 games his freshman season. He tallied five goals while making two assists during that span. Skoog steadily became a key player for the Terriers in his four-year career with the university. His junior season spotlighted Skoog scoring a team-leading 15 goals while ranking second overall with 30 points. His scoring ways continued into his final season of college hockey, where he ranked tied first on his roster with 16 goals and sat tied fifth overall with 31 points.

Following his time with the Terriers, he signed a contract with the affiliate of the Florida Panthers, the Charlotte Checkers, in the AHL. Now in his third season of playing professional hockey, Skoog featured his most offensively productive season with the team. He is tied second overall with 18 goals while ranking third on the Checkers with 37 total points.