Five years after being drafted by the Washington Capitals, former Quinnipiac Bobcats captain Chase Priskie will make his NHL debut Thursday night for the Florida Panthers against the team that picked him.

“I don’t think it’s really hit me yet,” Priskie said. “You dream about this day forever, you put in a lot of hard work and a little luck.”

Special night for this Pembroke Pines kid!!

We can’t wait, @priskie4 🤩 pic.twitter.com/L0Ra1WpMxb

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) November 4, 2021

Priskie, 25, was one of the most successful defensemen in Quinnipiac history. He put up 116 points in 154 games over four years in the blue and gold sweater. Priskie’s 39 goals among defensemen is a record among Bobcat blue-liners.

After being named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team and a national championship appearance in 2015-2016, Priskie followed it up with a Third Team All-ECAC Hockey bid in 2017 with 26 points in 38 games.

Priskie was rewarded with the captaincy to start the 2017 season where he made the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team, a step up from his sophomore year with another strong season on both ends of the ice.

Priskie had his best year his senior year. He hit a career-high in goals with 17, leading the team, and 39 points, another career-high which placed second on the team. He was given All-ECAC Hockey First Team honors and finished second in voting for the ECAC Hockey Best Defenseman Award.

He was also given national consideration. Priskie finished top 10 in Hobey Baker voting in 2018-2019, the most prestigious individual award in college hockey. Cale Makar and his 49 points on the blue-line would take home the honors. Makar, now a member of the Colorado Avalanche, is considered by many to be a top-three defenseman in the NHL.

Like Makar, Priskie will also get his turn to lace up the skates for an NHL team. After stints with the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes organizations, the Florida native will take the ice for his hometown team.

“I had like an hour and a half to pack up and catch my flight,” Priskie said. “Once you’re on the flight and get on the ice it’s back to business.”

Priskie will do his business on the right side of defenseman Kevin Connauton, a veteran of five NHL franchises over a span of 327 games. The 31-year old holds a stat line of six games with no points but a +1 rating and a 54.5% Corsi for.

The two will play on the third pairing against a Washington Capitals team that stands first in the Metropolitan Division at 5-1-3. The Panthers finished the month of October without losing in regulation at 8-0-1 good enough for second in the NHL.

When he takes his first shift, Priskie will join other Quinnipiac defensemen Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche) and Connor Clifton (Boston Bruins) to play in an NHL game.