Florida Panthers Sign Jonathan Huberdeau to Six Year Extension and Will Hold Viktor E. Dash 5K Run

The Florida Panthers announced on Tuesday that they have signed Jonathan Huberdeau to a six-year contract extension, worth 35.4 million-dollars. 

The extension does not kick in until the 2017-2018 season, as he has one more year left on his two-year deal for the upcoming season. The extension keeps the 23-year-old forward in Sunrise until the 2022-2023 National Hockey League season. 

Last season, Huberdeau scored a career high of 20 goals and 39 assists, in 76 games for the Cats. 

The Panthers drafted Huberdeau, with the number three pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. In four seasons, he has put up 58 goals and 114 assists in 272 games. He won the Calder Trophy, for Rookie of the Year following the 2012-2013 NHL season. 

With the signing of Huberdeau long term, the Panthers have continued their busy offseason. He joins three other young stars to ink long-term deals with the Cats this summer. Defenseman and 2015 Calder winner, Aaron Ekblad signed an eight-year, 60 million-dollar deal. As forwards Vincent Trocheck, signed a six-year, 28 million contract, and Reillly Smith, received a five-year, 25 million deal.

The Panthers also have Huberdeau’s line mate, Aleksander Barkov and defenseman, Keith Yandle, signed through the 2022-2023 season as well. Barkov is under contract until 2022 and Yandle, who just joined the Cats this summer, as an unrestricted free agent, is lockup through 2025. 

The Panthers will also hold the Viktor E. Dash, a 5K Race, held in conjunction with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to benefit the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiatives on October 22, at the BB&T Center.

The registration fee for the race is 37 dollars for individual racers, 20 dollars for the family run or 47 dollars for a virtual runner, for racers unable to make the event. Registrants can sign up through http://www.active.com/sunrise-fl/running/distance-running-races/viktor-e-dash-5k-2016. After September 15, the registration fee will increase by five dollars. 

The proceeds from the event, registrations will go towards the Florida Panthers Foundation’s charity efforts. All racers will receive either a ticket to the Panthers game against the Colorado Avalanche, on October 22 or the New Jersey Devils on November 3. 

 

They will also receive a Viktor E. Dash, T-shirt and custom medals for finishing the race. The top three racers in each age group will also receive special recognition. There will also be pre and post-race activities, on the JetBLue Tarmac, with food and drinks and Panther themed goodie bags.

There will be free parking at the BB&T Center for the race, but all vehicles must be moved by 12:00 noon, so that they may prepare the lots for the Avalanche game later that night. 

The parking lots will open at 6:00 AM on the day of the race, with packet pickup at 7:00 AM on the JetBLue Tarmac. The 5K Race will begin at 8:00 AM and the Family Fun Run/Walk will start at 8:45. The event will be held rain or shine.