Panthers prospect Tippett: 'I have the upside of Phil Kessel'

Owen Tippett believes he can be a star.

The Florida Panthers' first-round pick in this summer's draft, Tippett is a budding winger who starred with the OHL's Mississauga Steelheads last season - a campaign in which he netted 75 points in 60 games.

Of those totals, 44 came as goals, a mark which only four players topped league-wide, and an ability that drew the Panthers' attention.

"Owen is a natural goal scorer with a bright future and he already possesses NHL-ready size and speed," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said in July. "We're looking forward to watching him compete for a spot on our NHL roster at training camp this fall."

A hulking power forward, Tippett is a prime candidate to make the immediate jump to the NHL, particularly on a Florida roster that has just 10 forwards currently under contract.

"I have the upside of Phil Kessel - the speed, the shot, the way he can make plays," Tippett told Luke Fox of Sportsnet. "I also have some things I need to work on to be a 200-foot player."

Tippett could soon have another attribute in common with Kessel: making the NHL as an 18-year-old. Drafted fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in 2006, Kessel made his NHL debut just four months later, as he appeared in 70 games in 2006-07.

No doubt Tippett will be given every opportunity come training camp to make his best impression.

"I feel I can fight for a spot in Florida," Tippett added. "But at the end of the day, if I'm back in Mississauga, I'll look at it as a chance to develop my game and get stronger and faster."