Panthers sign forward Balisy to entry-level deal
The Florida Panthers have signed forward Chase Balisy to an entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
Balisy, 23, notched 21 goals and 44 points in 73 games with the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League last season.
A native of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, he was selected by the Nashville Predators in the sixth round, 170th overall, in the 2011 NHL draft.
Prior to turning professional, Balisy starred at Western Michigan University, scoring 49 goals and 129 points in 161 games for the Broncos.
At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, he is certainly an undersized talent, but sees the ice exceptionally well and shows remarkable patience when the puck is on his stick.
Looking ahead, Balisy projects to be a bottom-six forward for the Panthers' new minor-league affiliate, the Portland Pirates, in the upcoming season.
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