Panthers Agree to Terms With Winger Ville Peltonen

Peltonen & Cats C Olli Jokinen Earned Silver at 2006 Winter Olympics

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan announced today that the club has agreed to terms with LW Ville Peltonen (VIHL PEHL-TOH-nen).

"Peltonen is an experienced forward who is capable of contributing to our club both offensively and defensively," said Keenan. "He has been a valuable player in the European Elite Leagues and we look forward to his contributions to our team."

Peltonen, 33, played in 39 games with HC Lugano (Swiss Elite League) last season placing second on the club with 48 points (23-25-48). He also represented his native country of Finland, along with Cats C Olli Jokinen at the 2006 Winter Olympics, earning a Silver medal while playing in eight games scoring four goals with five assists.

The Vantaa, Finland native was drafted by San Jose with their fourth choice, 58th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He has played in 175 National Hockey League contests with San Jose (1995-97) and Nashville (1998-2001) scoring 18 goals with 42 assists and 40 PIM.

For his international career, he has played in more than 350 games, including three Winter Olympics (1994, 1998, 2006), two World Cups and nine World Championships. Peltonen was named the Finnish Rookie of the Year in 1993, after recording 37 points (13-24-37), while playing in 46 contests with HIFK Helinski. He also paced the Swedish Elite League in scoring dung the 1997-98 campaign with 51 points (22-29-51) in 45 games played.