Panther Sign C Mike Santorelli

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms with C Mike Santorelli on a one-year contract.
 
Santorelli, 24, was acquired by the Panthers from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Florida’s fifth round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Thursday, August 5. He spent parts of the last two seasons with the Nashville Predators, appearing in 25 games during the 2009-10 season and seven games in 2008-09. He has recorded three points (2-1-3) and 10 penalty minutes in 32 career NHL games.
 
The 6-foot, 180-pound center paced the Milwaukee Admirals the last two seasons (2008-10) in overall point scoring. He recorded 26 goals and 59 points in 57 games played last season and tallied 70 points (27-43-70) in 70 games played during the 2008-09 campaign.
 
A Vancouver native, Santorelli played his college hockey at Northern Michigan University, where he totaled 110 points (61-49-110) in 121 career games for the Wildcats. He was named to the CCHA First All-Star Team in 2007 after leading the conference with 30 goals in 41 games played.
 
Santorelli was originally selected by the Predators in the sixth round (178th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Home to more than 200 events annually and the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, the BankAtlantic Center was a finalist for Arena of the Year in annual awards given by trade publication Pollstar. The BankAtlantic Center welcomes more than two million guests each year.