May 16, 2008

Martin Secures Long-Term Deal with Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers announced today that Jacques Martin, who played at St. Lawrence, has reached an agreement to remain with the team as the club's general manager thru the 2011-2012 season.

Martin, 55, joined the Florida Panthers organization in May of 2004 as the club's head coach, before assuming the duties of the club's general manager on Sept. 3, 2006. Since taking over the reigns as general manager, Martin has been responsible for re-tooling the Panthers roster by re-signing numerous key players, along with acquiring key free agent acquisitions. Most notably, he acquired goaltender Tomas Vokoun in a trade at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, as well as signing center Stephen Weiss, right wing Nathan Horton and defenseman Bryan Allen to long term contract extensions last year.

Martin was also influential in acquiring the Panthers prospect Shawn Matthias in a trade for Todd Bertuzzi at the 2007 trade deadline, while also signing free agent center Brett McLean, right wing Richard Zednik and right wing Radek Dvorak. Additionally this past season, Martin acquired defensemen Jassen Cullimore and Magnus Johansson in order to fill the roster void, left due to injury in the team's defense, while also acquiring right wing Wade Belak at the 2008 trade deadline.

Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. Home to more than 185 events annually and the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, the BankAtlantic Center is consistently a top 15 worldwide venue according to Pollstar. The BankAtlantic Center welcomes more than two million guests each year and is also the home of the Sinatra Theatre presented by BankAtlantic and three publications Unrestricted (South Florida & New York) and Panthers Insider.