Florida Signs Martin Gelinas

[Gym Class Hero]

SUNRISE, FL – Florida Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan announced today that the club has signed LW Martin Gelinas to a two year contract.

"Like Nieuwendyk and Roberts, Marty brings with him proven leadership and skills as well as a history of playoff success," Keenan said. "He knows what it takes to win and has the experience to help guide our younger players and accelerate the growth of our team."

Gelinas, 35, has appeared in 1,052 National Hockey League contests for five different clubs (Edmonton 1988-93, Quebec 1993-94, Vancouver 1993-1998, Carolina 1997-2002 & Calgary 2002-04) and played in an impressive 147 postseason contests. He earned a Stanley Cup Championship with Edmonton in 1990.

Gelinas becomes the third player with more than 1,000 games of NHL experience to be signed by Keenan in the last two days, joining Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts. Additionally, he has appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals with four different teams, Edmonton, Vancouver, Carolina and Calgary.

Gelinas posted a career best 35 goals, 33 assists and 68 points during the 19996-97 season while playing for the Vancouver Canucks. As a member of the 2004 Western Conference Champion Calgary Flames, he appeared in 26 postseason contests scoring eight goals with seven assists. For his NHL career, the Shawinigan, Quebec, native has recorded 555 points (269-286-555) and 684 penalty minutes.

Gelinas was selected as the Canadian Major Junior Rookie of the Year in 1988 after tallying 131 points (63-68-131) in 65 games with the Hull Olympiques. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with their first choice, 7th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

[Ken_Baumgartner]

Only one day after I saw him on TV talking about how much he liked Calgary.

[PinoyRon51]

Hopefully Florida signs a star-caliber player before the end of the signing period.

[DaleHunter32]

Originally Posted by PinoyRon51

Hopefully Florida signs a star-caliber player before the end of the signing period.

are you kidding? Gelly was the best thing since curved blades... did you see him the playoffs, he should be on the cover of NHL 06 by EA sports.....

* i hear ya, but it could be worse, you could be a caps fan

[habsfighter15]

Florida is getting older by the minute. I guess they think they'll actually make the playoffs and be able to use all of the new playoff experience.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by habsfighter15

Florida is getting older by the minute. I guess they think they'll actually make the playoffs and be able to use all of the new playoff experience.

I'd say their chances of making the playoffs are pretty damn good. So it makes sense adding veteran players like they have been....

[Humpzilla]

The Panthers signing star caliber free agents? Frankly, I'm shocked! But why did they have to wait until I moved away to actually give a ****?

[devils29]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

why did they have to wait until I moved away to actually give a ****?

Maybe you were the reason Hump.

Really tho, I think that maybe they're confident they're youngsters can get em there and w/vet leadership that they've been missing.

Either that or now coz of the cap they can afford to.

[PinoyRon51]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

The Panthers signing star caliber free agents? Frankly, I'm shocked! But why did they have to wait until I moved away to actually give a ****?

Don't worry hump, you live right next to Vinny Lecavlier and Martin St.Louis so you are a champ.

[BM24]

Between Gelinas, Roberts and Niewendyk they put a lot of money into those guys!

[makaveli]

I saw Gelinas last season and he was amazing!!! He played for Morges it's a club in Switzerland second league (SwissB). He really transformed this team made up of young players.

His statistics : 41 games, 38 goals, 23 assists, 61 points and 81 pim