Panthers Draft Ignatavicius 40th Overall
The Florida Panthers have selected forward Simas Ignatavicius with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The selection took place on Saturday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Ignatavicius, who goes by the nickname “Iggy” among his teammates, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, calling it a “dream come true.”
Ignatavicius was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Lithuanian parents, but his family moved back to Europe when he was young. Despite his American birthplace, he has represented Lithuania in international hockey competitions. His father, Mantas, played professional basketball for approximately 15 years, contributing to an athletic upbringing for Simas.
The forward’s path to the NHL Draft began in an unexpected way. With limited ice rinks in Lithuania, Ignatavicius discovered hockey during a visit to a mall. He recounted seeing someone skating and playing with a puck while having pizza with his father, which sparked his interest in the sport. He credits this moment, and “pizza,” for his entry into hockey.
A Unique Hockey Journey
Ignatavicius’s journey in hockey involved significant decisions early in his life. At the age of 12, he received an offer to play hockey in Switzerland, which required him to leave home. This decision marked a turning point, as his father began to recognize the potential for hockey to become his son’s profession. Before signing the contract, his father asked him if he was sure about the commitment, emphasizing the sacrifices involved. Ignatavicius responded without hesitation, confirming his seriousness about the sport.
He is now the third Lithuanian player to be drafted into the NHL, following Darius Kasparaitis, who was selected fifth overall in 1992, and Dainius Zubrus, who was picked 15th overall in 1996.
Performance in Switzerland and International Play
During the 2025-26 season, Ignatavicius primarily played for Geneve-Servette HC in the National League, Switzerland’s top professional hockey league. In 52 games with the team, he recorded seven goals and six assists, accumulating 13 points. Geneve-Servette finished third in the National League standings with a record of 31 wins, 18 losses, and 3 draws.
In the playoffs, Ignatavicius contributed two goals and one assist for a total of three points in 11 games before Geneve-Servette was eliminated in the semifinals. He also had a stint with HC Thurgau in the Swiss League, where he scored seven goals and added four assists for 11 points in eight games.
Additionally, Ignatavicius played for Geneve-Servette’s U21 team, where he registered four goals and three assists for seven points in four games. He also recorded one assist in two relegation games with the U21 squad. His versatility and impact on the ice, both offensively and defensively, have drawn attention from scouts. He was ranked 10th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting and was projected to be selected around the 35th overall pick by various draft rankings, with projections ranging from 27th to 52nd overall.
His selection by the Florida Panthers marks a significant step in his unique hockey career, originating from a chance encounter at a mall in Lithuania.
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Source: nhl.com
