SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers signed defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Zito announced.
Fitzgerald, 29, spent last season with the Hartford Wolfpack, skating in 71 American Hockey League games and producing 23 points (4-19-23). The 5-foot-11, 188-pound native of North Reading, Mass., brings 285 career AHL games to the Panthers organization, amassing 99 points (22-77-99) across stints with the Rochester Americans (2018-19 to 2021-22), Charlotte Checkers (2023-24) and the Wolfpack (2024-25 to 2025-26).
Fitzgerald is not a stranger to the Panthers. He appeared in 63 career NHL games split between Florida during the 2022-23 season and the Buffalo Sabres from 2021-22 to 2022-23, compiling nine assists at the top level.
Before turning professional, Fitzgerald skated four seasons (2015-16 to 2018-19) at Boston College, collecting 82 points (17-65-82) in 151 games. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2015-16, earned Hockey East Second All-Star Team honors and Best Defensive Defensemen recognition in 2017-18, and served as captain of the Eagles in his junior and senior seasons.
Originally selected by Buffalo in the third round (86th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Fitzgerald earned gold medals representing the United States at the 2017 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship, the 2015 World U18 Championship and the 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
The two-way contract gives the Panthers organizational depth on defense heading into the 2026-27 season, with Fitzgerald expected to compete for roster time between the NHL club and its AHL affiliate. Territory Memberships for the 2026-27 season at Amerant Bank Arena are currently available.