Florida Panthers Sign Janis Sprukts

[VodkaFish]

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Jacques Martin announced today that the club has agreed to terms with C Janis Sprukts on a two-year contract.

Sprukts, 26, made his NHL debut on Oct. 20, 2006 vs. Philadelphia. In 13 career games played for Florida, Sprukts has one goal and two assists. He scored his first NHL goal on April 6, 2007 at Tampa Bay. Last season Sprukts posted 29 points (12-17-29) in 53 games for Lukko of the Finnish Elite League.

“We are happy that Janis has decided to return to the Panthers organization after spending a year in Finland,” Martin said. “He has played a few games at the NHL level and understands what it takes to make it back there. We look forward to seeing Janis’ continued development within our organization.”

The Riga, Latvia native was the Panthers eighth round selection (234th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. In his only North American season, 2006-07, Sprukts earned Team MVP for the Rochester Americans (AHL) posting 18 goals and 41 assists in 58 games.