August 12, 200422 yr PANTHERS INK D MIKE VAN RYN Cats' Dec. 29 Contest Vs. Bruins to Start at 7:30 p.m. SUNRISE - Florida Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan announced Wednesday that D Mike Van Ryn signed a one-year deal to avoid salary arbitration, which had been scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13. "Mike is a young player with a bright future," Keenan said. "We're pleased to have avoided arbitration and expect Mike to have another productive season with us. He should also benefit from some of the other strong, veteran defensemen we have acquired this off-season." Van Ryn, 25, posted career highs in games played (79), goals (13), points (37) and power play goals (6) last season. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound blueliner completed the year second overall on the Panthers and first among Florida defensemen with 37 points (13-24-37). Van Ryn paced the club in average time on ice per game (24:26) and was just the third defenseman in the team's history to score at least 13 goals in one season. "I am very pleased that we were able to get the deal done," Van Ryn said. "I really enjoy playing in Florida and look to build on the success that I had last season. General Manager Keenan and Coach Jacques Martin have made some great additions to our defense during the off-season and I look forward to the start of training camp." The London, Ontario native has played in 148 NHL contests with St. Louis (2000-03) and Florida, recording 50 points (15-35-50) and 78 penalty minutes. He was acquired by Florida from St. Louis on March 11, 2003 in exchange for Valeri Bure. Van Ryn was originally drafted by New Jersey with its first choice (26th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, but never agreed to a contract with the Devils and was signed as a free agent by St. Louis on June 30, 2000. Office Depot Center is the home of the NHL's Florida Panthers and host to more than 165 events annually. Owned by Broward County, the Office Depot Center is the preeminent sports and entertainment venue in Florida and among the best in the world, with more than 2 million customers entering its doors annually. Upcoming shows include Hilary Duff (Aug. 13), American Idol Live (Aug. 17), Monster Jam Summer Heat (Aug. 20 & 21), Van Halen (Sept. 8), a visit by the 14th Dalai Lama (Sept. 19), Disney on Ice Presents Beauty and the Beast (Sept. 22-26), Incubus (Sept. 28), Phil Collins (Sept. 30) and Barry Manilow (Oct. 28). For ticket information, please contact an account representative at (954)-835-PUCK. CATS MOVE START TIME TO 7:30 P.M. FOR DEC. 29 CONTEST VS. BOSTON The Florida Panthers announced that the start time for the Wednesday, Dec. 29 game versus the Boston Bruins at the Office Depot Center has been moved to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate a national television audience on ESPN. PANTHERS ANNOUNCE CHANGE TO ROOKIE CAMP SCHEDULE The Florida Panthers announced a change in their rookie camp schedule. The tournament at the 4-glaces Sportplexe in Pierrefonds, Quebec will begin Saturday, Sept. 11, and the teams will not have the day off Monday, Sept. 13. The Panthers prospects will participate in the tournament along with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. Great news!
August 12, 200422 yr The Florida Panthers ? They still exsist ? Arent they an endangered species, lol Just face it, there will be no NHL, within ten years professional soccer will be more popular than NHL
August 12, 200422 yr Author The Florida Panthers ? They still exsist ? Arent they an endangered species, lol Just face it, there will be no NHL, within ten years professional soccer will be more popular than NHL 507690[/snapback] Do you haters feel the need to troll every hockey thread I post. Do I troll in the basketball, soccer, football threads you all post. No, I think that I deserve to love the sport and provide information about happenings for our hometown team to others.
August 13, 200422 yr Author hey beinie.... is Roenick a FA? 508220[/snapback] No, if he does become one, than hes going to the Yotes.
August 13, 200422 yr Author we could use a nice solid vet 508731[/snapback] I'd like us to join the Glen Murray race. Or even try to sign an alexei zhamnov.
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