Matt Kiersted is staying with the Florida organization, as the Panthers announced Monday that they have signed the blue liner to a two-year contract - with the first year being two-way and the second year being one-way.
In his first full pro season, the 24-year-old logged 20 points (5g, 15a) in 63 games for the Checkers - a mark that ranked him fourth among team defensemen.
Kiersted also earned 10 games at the NHL level with Florida, picking up a goal and an assist along the way. That brings the Minnesota native’s career total to 17 NHL games, as he had a short stint with the Panthers at the end of his college career in 2020-21.
Prior to making the jump to the pro game, Kiersted spent four years at the University of North Dakota, where he amassed 77 points (20g, 57a) in 127 games. A standout on the UND blue line, Kiersted was named to the NCAA Second All-American Team and the conference First All-Star Team in 2020-21 while leading his team to a conference title, as well as the conference Second All-Star Team in 2019-20.
Kiersted now returns to the fold after becoming a restricted free agent at the start of the offseason.
