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Vatrano scored his first NHL goal wearing the jersey he'd grown up idolizing in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, 8:51 into the second period of his NHL debut against Montreal Canadiens goalie Mike Condon on Nov. 7, 2015.

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Vatrano's father and uncle were at the game after during five hours to Bell Centre to see Frank's first game the day after he was recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League.

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Vatrano scored his first NHL hat trick in his 17th game, a 6-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 18, 2015. He was reassigned to Providence and recalled in late March. He finished the season with eight goals and 11 points in 39 games.

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Vatrano began his ascent playing for the Boston Jr. Bruins before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program for two seasons. He played another season with the Junior Bruins, then enrolled the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

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After one season and 18 goals with the Minutemen, the redshirt sophomore went undrafted, so he decided to make the transition to professional hockey and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 12, 2015.

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It didn't take Vatrano long to become accustomed to the AHL. He opened Providence's 2015-16 season by scoring 10 goals in his first 10 games and finished with 36 goals and 55 points in 36 games. He shared the Dudley "Red" Garrett Award as the top rookie with San Antonio right wing Mikko Rantanen.

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Vatrano was traded by the Bruins to the Florida Panthers on Feb. 22, 2018. He signed a three-year contract with the Panthers on Feb. 24, 2019 and ended the season with NHL career highs of 24 goals and 39 points.

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NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

 

• AHL All-Rookie Team (2016)

• AHL First All-Star Team (2016)

• Willie Marshall Award (AHL -- Top Goal-scorer) (2016)

• Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award (AHL -- Rookie of the Year) (2016)

• Signed as a free agent by Boston, March 13, 2015.

• Traded to Florida by Boston for Florida's 3rd round pick in 2018 NHL Draft, February 22, 2018.