HUBERDEAU SIGNS NHL CONTRACT WITH PANTHERS

Monday, Oct. 10, 2011

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers Executive Vice President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with F Jonathan Huberdeau.
 
“We are pleased to have signed Jonathan,” said Tallon. “He is a proven winner who leads by example both on and off the ice. He is a great two-way player who shows passion for the game and makes players around him better. Jonathan had an excellent pre-season and we look forward to his progress this season with Saint John.”
 
Huberdeau, 18, was drafted by Florida with their first selection (third overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The St-Jerome, Que., native played in five of the Panthers 2011 pre-season games, leading the team with three goals and finishing tied for the team lead with four points.

The six-foot-one, 171-pound forward appeared in 67 games for the Sea Dogs during the 2010-11 season, setting team records with 62 assists and 105 points, to go with 88 penalty minutes. Huberdeau was named the team’s most valuable player and garnered Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff MVP (16-14-30 in 19 games) and Memorial Cup MVP (4-2-6 in four games) awards as Saint John won the national championship.

Huberdeau made his return to the Dogs on the weekend and contributed a goal and four assists in his first two games. For his career in Saint John, Huberdeau has played in 130 contests, registering 145 points (59-86-145) and 135 PIM.