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The Sports Network TSN
Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers and Ed Jovanovski
agreed to a four-year contract on Friday, reuniting the veteran defenseman
with the club that drafted him first overall in the 1994 draft.
The Panthers did not release financial terms of the deal, but it is reportedly
worth $16.5 million.
A five-time NHL All-Star, Jovanovski has 481 points on 133 goals and 348
assists over 1,019 career games with Florida, Vancouver and Phoenix. He played
four seasons with the Panthers from 1995-99 and helped the Panthers make a run
to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals.
"Ed is a veteran defenseman who wanted to return to Florida and we are pleased
to have him back in a Panthers uniform," said Panthers general manager Dale
Tallon. "He is a five-time NHL All-Star, who has played in more than 1,000
games and will be a mentor for our young defensemen and a leader in the locker
room. Ed played an important part in the early success of our franchise and we
look forward to his return to South Florida and the Panthers family."
The 35-year-old Canadian played in just 50 games last season with Phoenix and
recorded five goals and nine assists.
The Sports Network