Nottingham Panthers

Nottingham Panthers make crucial David Noël signing

By Luke James

Posted on 19th July 2025

The Nottingham Panthers completed a key piece of offseason business on Thursday [17 July], signing defenceman David Noël to a one-year deal.

Arriving in the Elite League following a half-season spell in Finland’s Liiga, the 26-year-old represented Canada at the 2017 World Junior Championship and carries NHL Draft pedigree as fifth-round pick of the St Louis Blues.

Who is Nottingham Panthers defenceman David Noël?

Noël’s journey to the Motorpoint Arena started in the QMJHL, in which he recorded 138 points (49 goals, 90 assists) in 223 appearances for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Val-d’Or Foreurs.

The University of Quebec-Trois-Rrivieres was the highly-regarded blueliner’s next stop.

Noël played a leading role as the UQTR Patriotes swept their USports competition aside to win three consecutive conference titles and the national championship in 2022.

Captaining the Patriotes in his final collegiate season, Noël checked out of university hockey with 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists) in 66 regular-season games.

The Quebecker graduated into professional hockey with the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks, with whom he spent parts of two seasons and tallied 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 38 appearances.

Noël spent the final half of last season in Finland’s top division, notching four points (one goal, three assists) in 21 outings for HPK, for whom he played a depth defensive role.

Why have the Nottingham Panthers signed David Noël?

Following Noël’s arrival, only one vacancy remains on Nottingham’s blueline.

The Panthers have already retained Zsombor Garat, Matt Spencer, Josh Tetlow, and Cooper Zech from last term’s playoff-winning team.

And Noël’s addition provides further clarity into how Danny Stewart will organise his defensive corps in the months to come.

David Noël, HPK (Image: Liiga)

“Noël is a really good two-way guy that will provide us with some added offensive punch at the back,” said the Canadian ahead of his second season in Nottingham.

“David 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.”

‘I really want to keep us on that winning path’

Having already signed shutdown specialist Matt Spencer and point-scoring quarterback Cooper Zech, the Panthers needed a solid, two-way option for their backend — and Noël is a near perfect choice.

The 6-foot-1 defender is reliable at both ends of the ice, breaking up opposition attacks with his body and stick.

In most cases, a player’s record in the ECHL translates smoothly in the Elite League.

Given Noël’s record of success in North America’s third tier, he should have no issue adjusting to life with the Panthers — who also have Continental Cup action to navigate this term.

“Omar [Pacha] is from Quebec, so it’s been fun to talk with him… I love the way he and Danny [Stewart] explained to me the type of hockey the Panthers like to play,” said the 1999-born defender.

“Nottingham 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.”

With Noël’s signature, the Panthers are another step closer to competing for silverware again in the season to come.