For a rookie, there’s nothing like scoring that first professional goal, especially when it comes on opening night.
A number of first-year players made their presence felt during Friday’s opening slate of games. Here are five who found the twine for the first time as a pro.
Luke Loheit, Kansas City Mavericks
The 24-year-old Loheit came to the Mavericks after a five-year career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he recorded 56 points in 166 games. He was named assistant captain for the 2022-23 season and earned the honor of captain for the 2023-24 season.
The 6-foot-1 forward was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round (194th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Loheit’s first pro tally came at the 12:36 mark of the first period of the Mavericks’ 5-3 win over the Wichita Thunder Friday.
Upon signing Loheit, Mavericks GM and head coach Tad O’Had had high praise for his leadership abilities, even as a young player. His speed, grit and 200-foot ability should serve him well in Kansas City.
Gabe Klassen and Phip Waugh: Wheeling Nailers
Klassen and Waugh each picked up their first goal in the Nailers’ 4-1 victory over the Main Mariners.
Klassen’s first career goal happened to be the Nailers’ first of the game. It came on a power play after Wheeling’s Matthew Quercia and Maine’s Justin Bean threw down the gloves 2:38 into the contest.
Just 1:22 after the fireworks, Kyle Jackson played the puck to Atley Calvert along the left side of the goal line. Calvert fed Klassen, who fired a one-timer into the right side of the cage for a 1-0 Wheeling lead.
Waugh turned pro this past spring, signing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in March and was assigned to Wheeling.
The blueliner notched his first career point in a key 3-1 win over the Fort Wayne Komets on March 23. He notched his first goal to give the Nailers insurance in Friday’s opener after rifling a shot in the top corner from above the circle at the 5:07 mark of the third period.
Waugh finished his collegiate career at Mercyhurst University, then appeared in 12 regular season games and four playoff contests with the Nailers.
Connor Punnett: Idaho Steelheads
Punnett signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars in March, and was assigned to Idaho earlier this week after spending last season in the OHL.
The defenseman’s first professional goal came 1:09 into the second period to give the Steelheads a 4-0 lead over the Utah Grizzlies.
Punnett tallied 55 points last season, ninth-best among OHL defensemen, and gave the Steelheads a nice two-way debut on Friday.
Connor McMenamin: Reading Royals
It’s one thing to get your first professional goal, but how about one that wins the game? Reading Royals forward Connor McMenamin accomplished both, on Opening Night, no less.
McMenamin played 10 games for Reading during the 2023-24 season after five seasons in the NCAA with his fifth-year graduate season spent at the University of Minnesota-Duluth following four years at Penn State University.
McMenamin dinged one off the post into the back of the net at the 16:30 mark of the third period to break a tie and give the Royals a 3-2 lead over the Trois-Rivieres Lions on Friday.
It proved to be the game-winner. The Royals brought in McMenamin in to score goals, and that’s exactly what he did on Friday.