Thu 17 Jul 2025 - 5:55PM
PANTHERS SIGN DEFENCEMAN DAVID NOËL
Nottingham Panthers have signed 26-year-old Canadian defenceman David Noël for the 2025-26 season.
Noël represented Canada at the U18 World Championship in Slovakia just after his 18th birthday in April 2017 and was selected by St Louis Blues in the NHL Entry Draft two months later.
The highly-rated blueliner, who was born in Quebec, made an AHL appearance for San Antonio Rampage while still playing junior hockey in the QMJHL for Val-d'Or Foreurs where he spent the final two seasons as captain.
He then played four years at the University of Québec-Trois-Rivières in the USports league, winning the national championship in 2022 and the conference championship three years in a row.
In his final year of university - the 2023-24 season - he was named captain and scored at just under a point per game, with 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 27 matches.
At the end of his university studies, Noël signed his first professional contract with Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL.
Last season, he scored 25 points (10+15) in just 29 games for Kansas and then secured a contract with HPK who play in Liiga - the top level of ice hockey in Finland.
Noël said: "Omar (Pacha) is from Quebec so it has been fun to talk with him and I have been talking with Danny (Stewart) as well. I love the way he has explained to me the type of hockey Panthers play. It feels so good to go somewhere where winning is the mindset.
"My style of hockey is a big defenceman that can play physical and I know if I play good defensively, that always helps the offensive side of my game.
"I know Panthers have always been a great team and I know about the playoff success last season. I really want to push that and keep going on this winning path.
Panthers Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "Noël is a really good two-way guy that will provide us with some added offensive punch at the back.
"He was on pace for 50 plus points in the ECHL last year before his move to Finland. He’s had success at every level and competes hard at the back.
"He’s another guy with great character and one that’s been a captain before. This is a great signing for us."
Signing news in association with GVL Recovery.
Player sponsorship packages are available for the 2025-26 season. Please contact sarah@panthers.co.uk for further information with the name of the player you wish to sponsor in the title. Emails will only be accepted once the announcement has been made on our website and social media channels.