Panthers Sign 2007 Third Round Pick Brady Calla

[Thrillhouse]

SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers General Manager Jacques Martin announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry level contract with RW Brady Calla.

Calla, 20, played in 52 games with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League after being traded from the Moose Jaw Warriors, for Panthers prospect D Keaton Ellerby, 16 games into the 2007-08 season. With the Blazers, Calla had 30 points (10-20-30) and 52 penalty minutes. Calla played in 39 games for Moose Jaw during the 2006-07 season, scoring 32 points (12-20-32) in 39 games. In four playoff games this spring for the Blazers, Calla had two assists.

"Brady is a young prospect who works hard, has defensive responsibility and plays with a physical presence," said Martin. "We are very pleased to have signed a high-character individual like Brady and we look forward to his continued development and growth into a complete player within our organization."

The 6-foot-0, 190-pound right wing, played for Team Canada and won the gold medal as alternate captain at the 2005-2006 U-18 World Championship. He was a member of Team Cherry at the 2006 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game.

Calla was drafted by the Panthers in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.