25-Year-Old Re-Signed Through 2024-25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, July 26, 2021
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has re-signed forward Sam Bennett to a four-year contract.
“Sam’s impact on our club this past season was seen immediately, injecting physicality, skill and energy into our lineup,” said Zito. “We are thrilled to have him in our Panthers lineup and look forward to what he can bring to our offense in the upcoming 2021-22 season.”
Bennett, 25, produced 15 points (6-9-15) in 10 regular season games with the Panthers after being acquired from Calgary on April 12, setting a club record for most points by a Panther in their first 10 games with the team. He appeared in five postseason contests for Florida, posting five points (1-4-5), 16 hits and seven blocked shots.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Holland Landing, Ontario has appeared in 412 career National Hockey League games with Florida (2020-21) and Calgary (2014-15 to 2020-21), registering 155 points (73-82-155). He has recorded 24 points (12-12-24) over 35 career NHL postseason games.
Prior to being acquired by Florida, Bennett led the Flames in total playoff goals (11), even-strength points (11) and hits (107) over each of Calgary’s past four postseason appearances, while ranking tied for second on the club in points (19) in that span.
Prior to his NHL career, Bennett played 128 games over three seasons for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), posting 155 points (65-90-155).
On the international stage, Bennett won a Gold Medal with Canada at the 2013 World U18 Championship, recording seven points (3-4-7) over seven tournament games.
Originally selected by Calgary in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Bennett was acquired from the Flames with a 2022 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for forward Emil Heineman (drafted by FLA in 2020) and a 2022 second-round draft pick on April 12, 2021.
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-
