SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has re-signed forward Carter Verhaeghe to a three-year contract extension beginning in 2022-23.
“Carter emerged as one of the best possession forwards in hockey last season, elevating his game to fill an important role on our team,” said Zito. “His effort, speed and creativity are infectious on and off the ice.”
Verhaeghe, 25, produced a career-high 36 points (18-18-36) over 43 games in his first season with Florida, ranking third on the team in goals (18-tied), points (36-tied), game-winning goals (3-tied), plus-minus rating (+24) and even-strength points (33). He appeared in six postseason contests, posting three points (2-1-3).
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound native of Toronto, Ontario has appeared in 95 career National Hockey League games with Florida (2020-21) and Tampa Bay (2019-20), recording 49 points (27-22-49). Over 14 career NHL postseason games, Verhaeghe has registered five points (2-3-5). He won the 2019-20 Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay, recording two assists over eight postseason contests.
Prior to his NHL career, Verhaeghe spent two seasons (2017-18 to 2018-19) with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL), amassing 130 points (51-79-130) over 134 regular season games. In 2018-19, he led the AHL in goals (34) and points (82) and led Syracuse in assists (48). He was named to the AHL First All-Star Team and awarded the AHL’s Willie Marshall Award and the John B. Sollenger Trophy for most goals and points in the league, respectively.
Prior to his professional career, he spent four seasons (2011-12 to 2014-15) with the Niagara Ice Dogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), producing 224 points (83-141-224) over 252 regular season games. He served as Niagara’s captain during the 2014-15 season and led the club in points in his final two seasons.
On the international stage, Verhaeghe won a Gold Medal with Canada at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championship, notching four assists over seven tournament games.
Verhaeghe agreed to terms with Florida as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020. He was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Learn how you can join Panthers Territory today! Call 954-835-PUCK, click here or visit FloridaPanthers.com/TerritoryMemberships for more information or to book a private tour of BB&T Center.
With construction now fully underway, the Florida Panthers’ FTL War Memorial Auditorium will debut in 2022 as the team’s new state-of-the-art practice facility and a vibrant sports, entertainment, and community recreation hub in Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Park. The revitalized community destination will continue to serve as an honored tribute to local military heroes. For the latest updates, visit www.ftlwarmemorial.com and follow @FTLWarMemorial on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
-PANTHERS-
