SUNRISE - Bokondji Imama walked into Florida Panthers training camp on a two-way contract that all but telegraphed a return to the minors, then refused to leave, earning a spot on the Opening Night roster after more than 400 minor league games and a career defined as much by penalty minutes as points.
The 30-year-old winger lined up on Florida’s fourth line on the first day of camp and never surrendered the position, Florida Hockey Now reported. Coach Paul Maurice said the Panthers saw something beyond the enforcer label. “We know his abilities in his toughness, and we know there is a better player there,” Maurice said after Imama secured the roster spot. “In the style of hockey we play, we think we can get him to excel.”
Imama wasted no time establishing his identity in the season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes, racking up seven penalty minutes, including a five-minute major for fighting Hurricanes forward Nic Deslauriers. Over his NHL career, Imama has averaged almost three hits per game - a physical presence the Panthers identified as a fit for their system. “I think I fit perfectly into this style,” Imama said. “They want to play fast and physical, that’s all my game.”
The signing was driven in part by the long-term absence of winger Jonah Gadjovich, who underwent surgery last November and remains out of the lineup. Maurice drew a direct comparison between the two players, noting both have accumulated roughly twice as many penalty minutes as games played. “We noticed playing against him, he’s fast, he hits clean and he’s almost like Jonah,” Maurice said. “We have seen physicality come back into the game more and more each year, and he can do that.”
Imama said training camp pushed him toward a more complete game. “We know about my hits and fights but it’s also about managing it,” he said. “You also want to make sure you put your team in the best position possible and this training camp helped me become a more complete player.”
Florida carries an all-time regular season series lead of 23-17-2 against the Anaheim Ducks heading into Sunday’s road game at Honda Center, with an 8 p.m. puck drop. The Panthers lost to Anaheim 2-0 last season. Florida’s next home matchup against the Ducks is scheduled for Oct. 28. The Panthers then travel to face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ESPN.