Justin Sourdif is returning to the Vancouver Giants.

On Tuesday, Sept. 28, the 91原创-based Giants announced Sourdif, the reigning player of the year in the WHL B.C. Division, has been reassigned to the WHL team from the NHL Florida Panthers, ahead of the 2021-2022 season.

Fresh off signing an entry-level contract with the Panthers, Sourdif joins the G-Men ahead of their 2021-2022 season opener on Saturday, Oct. 2 in Victoria.

READ ALSO: Giants Justin Sourdif signs first NHL contract

After his signing was announced, Sourdif told the Panthers website that he hoped to make a strong impression on the Panthers in training camp before heading back to 91原创 where he believes he can finish as one of the top players in the WHL in 2021-22.

Sourdif said he was 鈥渆xtremely blessed and excited to sign my first NHL contract,鈥� adding he 鈥渃ouldn鈥檛 have done this without the support of my friends, coaches and especially my family!鈥�

He was drafted 87th overall by Florida back in October of 2020.

Panthers coach Joel Quenneville thinks Sourdif has 鈥渁 nice future.鈥�

He鈥檚 a competitive kid,鈥� Quenneville commented. 鈥淗e moves well. He鈥檚 strong on the puck.鈥�

Sourdif also hopes to play for Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

READ ALSO: Giants stay local, draft Surrey鈥檚 Sourdif third overall

A highly-ranked prospect from the Delta Hockey Academy, Sourdif鈥檚 name appeared quickly on the Western Hockey League鈥檚 Bantam Draft Tracker in 2017.

The Surrey resident was claimed third overall by the Vancouver Giants, and was the first player from B.C. to be selected that year.