"The Florida Panthers have signed veteran center and two-time Stanley Cup winner Tomas Kopecky to a four-year contract.

"Tomas is a proven winner who we are pleased to have signed," General Manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. "He is a hard working player who is tough to play against, and recorded career highs in both goals and assists last season. He is a versatile player, who can play any forward position, has good vision at both ends of the ice and will immediately make an impact in our line-up."

Kopecky, 29, is the third member of the 2010 Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks now on the Panthers. Tallon, regarded as the archiotect of that team, was fired the previous season in a front-office dispute.

Kopecky also played in the 2008 champion Detroit Red Wings."