DefensemanWeegar re-signs with team for 3 years

Returning for his fifth season with the Florida Panthers, defensemanMacKenzie Weegar agreed Friday to a three-year deal with the team.

Weegar, 26, generated a career-best 18 points and seven goals in the 45 games he appeared in last season while also posting one assist over four Stanley Cup qualifier games.

Originally selected by Florida in the seventh round (No. 206) of the 2013 NHL draft, Weegar also ranked second among Panthers defenseman in hits (76) and third in blocked shots (71).

“MacKenzieis asolidtwo-way competitor whobrings tenacity and skill to our lineup,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said in a statement. “He has developed into a key memberof thePanthers, bothonandoffthe ice, and we look forward to him taking the next step in his career.”

Terms of his new contract were not released.

Weegar, who’s an Ottawa native, has played in 172 career regular-season games, managing to collected 41 points (13-28-41).

Before reaching the NHL, the 6-foot, 200-pounder appeared in 153 career AmericanHockey League contests, recording 70 points (23-47-70) andbecominga 2017AHL All-Star.

MARKJ. TERRILL/AP DefensemanMacKenzieWeegar, seen during a February gameagainst theAnaheim Ducks, has agreed to a three-yeardeal with the Panthers.