2007 Panthers First Round Pick Keaton Ellerby and Panthers GM Jacques Martin

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Jacques Martin announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry level contract with D Keaton Ellerby.

Ellerby, 19, played in 53 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League after being traded from Kamloops, for Panthers prospect RW Brady Calla, 16 games into the 2007-08 season. With Moose Jaw, Ellerby had two goals and 21 assists with a plus-6 rating and 81 penalty minutes. In five playoff games this spring for the Warriors, Ellerby has two assists and 15 penalty minutes.

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“Keaton is a young, talented and strong defenseman who skates and handles the puck well,” said Martin. “We are very pleased to have signed Keaton and look forward to his continued development and growth into a complete player, who will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on our hockey club.” 

The 6-foot-4, 188-pound defensemen, played for Team Canada at the 2007 Canada/Russia Superseries and was the Panthers first round pick (10th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

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