"After 13 months of protracted contract negotiatons the Panthers announced Friday that they signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson, last year's overall No. 3 draft pick, to a three-year entry level contract.

Terms have not been released yet.

"I'm introducing you to our newest Florida Panther, Erik Gudbranson,'' Panthers GM Dale Tallon said inside a video room in Saveology.com Iceplex following the conclusion of the team's three-day development camp. "Official, official, official, signed on the dotted line. We're really proud, obviously, he's our first pick of the new regime; it's been a great pick, he's a great kid and he represents all what we're all about here as far as character and skill and passion and all the intangibles that make Erik a Florida Panther.''

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Gudbranson, 19, had 12 goals and 34 points in 44 games with 105 penalty minutes last year for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL.

"I always just went to the rink to play hockey. We have agents to deal with stuff like that. I left it up to them to deal with the business side,'' Gudbranson said. "It's a big achievement but a little step. It's a big team, the NHL, the toughest league to make in the world, and obviously, I'm going to work my tail off to be here [this season] and make a difference on the team.''

Gudbranson will join Team Canada at their development camp in August and then return to South Florida to participate in the rookie camp on Sept. 9 before training camp begins a week later in an effort to make the final 23-man roster."