Panthers Acquire Eminger From Tampa Bay

The Panthers acquired defenseman Steve Eminger (left) at the trade deadline for defenseman Noah Welch and a 2009 3rd Round Pick. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) SNAPSHOT: Steve Eminger Steve Eminger Highlights

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers general manager Jacques Martin announced today that the club has acquired D Steve Eminger from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for D Noah Welch and Florida’s third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Eminger, 25, has played in 274 NHL games with Tampa Bay (2008-09), Philadelphia (2008-09) and Washington (2002-08), amassing 10 goals, 58 assists and 265 PIM. This season, Eminger ranked first among Lightning defensemen in points with 25, and is fifth overall on the team in assists with 21. Eminger was drafted by the Washington Capitals with their first choice (12th overall) in 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Eminger played four years of junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers from 1999-2003, playing his last two seasons under current Panthers head coach Pete DeBoer and with current Florida C Gregory Campbell. The trio won a Memorial Cup together in 2003.

Florida (33-23-8) opens a two-game homestand on Thursday, Mar. 5 when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game can be seen live on FS Florida and heard on SportsTalk 790 The Ticket beginning at 7 p.m.

Steve Eminger’s Career Statistics:

                       --- Regular Season ---  ---- Playoffs ----
Season   Team                                 Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  GP   G   A Pts PIM
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1999-00  Kitchener Rangers         OHL    50    2   14   16   74   5   0   0   0   0
2000-01  Kitchener Rangers         OHL    54    6   26   32   66  --  --  --  --  --
2001-02  Kitchener Rangers         OHL    64   19   39   58   93   4   0   2   2  10
2002-03  Kitchener Rangers         OHL    23    2   27   29   40  21   3   8  11  44
2002-03  Washington Capitals      NHL    17    0    2    2   24  --  --  --  --  --
2003-04  Washington Capitals      NHL    41    0    4    4   45  --  --  --  --  --
2003-04  Portland Pirates               AHL    41    0    4    4   40   7   0   1   1   2
2004-05  Portland Pirates               AHL    62    3   17   20   40  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  Washington Capitals      NHL    66    5   13   18   81  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  Washington Capitals      NHL    68    1   16   17   63  --  --  --  --  --
2007-08  Washington Capitals       NHL    20    0    2    2    8   5   1   0   1   2
2008-09  Philadelphia Flyers*         NHL    12    0    2    2    8
2008-09  Tampa Bay Lightning       NHL    50    4   19   23   36
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         NHL Totals                        274   10   58   68  265   5   1   0   1   2


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