​With hockey taking its summer break, my thoughts turn to reminiscing about the past 18 seasons during which I have had the privilege of observing the Florida Panthers from the pressbox.While the Panthers’ players are out golfing, the front office has been hard at work.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe start of free agency and the Panthers’ annual development camp, where young talent as showcased and evaluated, overlapped.With both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov unsigned going into free agency and a host of players with expiring contracts, Bill Zito and staff had a very active few weeks.If history is an indicator, they may not be done yet despite a seemingly set roster.Back to my reminiscing.My best estimate is that I’ve seen 299 players in a Panthers’ uniform during my 18 seasons covering them.Since their inception, 485 players wore the uniform.Of that group, Sasha Barkov and Aaron Ekblad are tied for the most regular season games played at 804.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA total of six played just one game during my time following the team. Of the players who played a single game in the Panthers full history, the shortest time on ice record goes to Paul Brousseau who played one game against Columbus in 2001 — and accumulated 1:39 of ice time.The shortest goalie career goes to Brian Foster, who was called up from the AHL to back up Scott Clemmenson when No. 1 goalie Jose Theodore was injured.Foster’s NHL career lasted 4:52 with the Panthers. He made one save and has an unblemished GAA of 0.00.At 15:08 of the second period in Tampa on Feb. 4, 2012, Foster relieved Clemmenson, who was slightly shaken up.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementClemmenson returned for the third period and Foster’s NHL career was over.Ironically, over this time frame the goalies (who played more than 20 games) with the lowest goals-against averages were backups.Anthony Stolarz was at 2.03 in his one season and Chris Driedger was 2.07 in his two partial seasons. By comparison, Bobrovsky, who brought two Stanley Cups to Florida, had an average of 2.80 while in a Panthers’ uniform.Overall, Roberto Luongo leads all goalies in games played at 572 while Bobrovsky is at 349.The NHL did not begin tracking time on ice until the 2005-06 season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDuring the 18 seasons under review, Barkov had the most goals at 286 and the most points at 782. Matthew Tkachuk had the best points per game average at 1.19.The honor of most penalty minutes goes to Ekblad at 560 with Sam Bennett second at 433 in fewer than half as many games.Barkov’s 84 power play goals in 804 games leads the group but Sam Reinhart has 83 in 385 games.During my tenure the Panthers had as few as 36 points in the lockout shortened 2012-13 season, which put them in position to draft Barkov. They recorded the most points (122) when they won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021-22.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementT