The Nottingham Panthers have signed another point-per-game weapon.
Brendan Harris touched down at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday [26 August], signing a one-year contract with the Elite League’s postseason champions.
The 29-year-old forward arrives in the Elite League with five seasons of professional experience, in addition to three campaigns of collegiate play.
“Brendan is a dynamic signing for us,” Panthers head coach Danny Stewart said of his latest addition.
“He brings a combination of speed and creativity that will make him a very effective player over here.
“He’s been a mainstay in Jacksonville for the best part of four seasons, has the ability to play big minutes and immediately helps our offensive firepower for this season.”
Who is Nottingham Panthers forward Brendan Harris?
Harris followed the collegiate pathway to the professional ranks.
Brendan Harris, Nottingham Panthers (Image: ECHL)
The American spent his junior career in the British Columbia Hockey League, therefore protecting his NCAA eligibility, and recorded 154 points (37 goals, 117 assists) in 114 games for the Wenatchee Wild.
Harris joined Bemidji State University in 2017, delivering 56 points (17 goals, 39 assists) in 104 D-I appearances.
His form attracted the attention of professional scouts, with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers winning the race for his signature.
The New York-born forward spent two parts of two seasons with the Nailers, before a trade sent him to the Jackson Icemen.
In 2022-23, his first full season in Jacksonville, Harris broke out for 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 39 games.
He continued to excel offensively in the following seasons, putting together 49-, 66-, and 43-point campaigns to sign out of the ECHL with 196 points (63 goals, 133 assists) in 230 appearances.
Analysis: Nottingham Panthers sign forward Brendan Harris
The Panthers’ impressive offseason continues.
Since snapping their nine-year domestic trophy drought in the spring, Nottingham have made a series of shrewd moves.
Extending standout netminder Jason Grande was a bold place to start.
Keeping 52-point scorer Mitchell Fossier at the Motorpoint Arena was a masterstroke.
Mitchell Fossier, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Hayley Roberts)
And the addition of Harris falls into a similar category.
Capable of playing on the left wing or through centre ice, the 5-foot-9 forward will torment Elite League defenders.
Whether it’s his foot-speed or eye for a pass, Harris has the skills to dominate on these shores — and the Panthers are counting on it.
There are reasons to believe he will adapt quickly, not least because his list of former teammates includes Ross Armour (Bemidji State), Matt Alfaro, and Tim Doherty (Wheeling Nailers).
Harris has scored just below a point-per-game rate for the past two seasons.
He hit 66 points (21 goals, 45 assists) in 66 games in 2023-24 and went 43-in-44 last term.
His primary weapon? Vision.
Harris reads the game exceptionally and has the hand-eye skills to back it up.
He also plays bigger than his height suggests.
Despite being listed at 161lbs, Harris won’t be pushed around — and is rarely sent to the penalty box either.
He is a top-six lock for Nottingham.
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