Cats Re-sign Dvorak

Veteran Radek Dvorak, who scored 15 goals last season while playing on every line and in every situation, signed a two-year deal Wednesday with the Panthers.

“Radek is a dedicated and hard working veteran player who we are very happy to welcome back,” said Sexton. “He played an important part in creating our team identity as an up-tempo and pressure team and getting him signed was a priority.” 

Dvorak, 32, played in 81 games with the Panthers last season scoring 15 goals with 21 assists, while pacing the club with four shorthanded goals. For his career with Florida (1995-99; 2007-09), Dvorak has played in 484 games scoring 92 goals with 123 assists and 173 PIM and is tied for the franchise’s all-time lead with 12 shorthanded goals. Dvorak played in his 900th career NHL game Oct. 20 at Montreal and recorded his 500th career NHL point Mar. 28 at Dallas.

Four of Dvorak’s goal were short-handed and three more were game winners.

The Tabor, Czech Republic native is a former member of the 1996 Panthers team that won the Eastern Conference Championship and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. Dvorak reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in his career in 2006 while playing for the Edmonton Oilers. 

For his career in the NHL he has played in 976 games for the NY Rangers (2000-03), Edmonton (2002-06), St. Louis (2006-07) and Florida (1995-99; 2007-09) registering 502 points (194-308-502) and 350 PIM. Dvorak was originally drafted by Florida with its 10th overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.