Florida signs five

The Florida Panthers, parent club of the AHL’s Portland Pirates, announced today that the club has agreed to terms with goaltender Mike McKenna and defenseman Brent Regner on two-year, two-way contracts, and with forward Shane Harper and defensemen Sena Acolatse and Cameron Gaunce on one-year, two-way contracts.

McKenna, 32, spent the 2014-15 season with the Portland Pirates, registering a 27-18-6 record with a 2.24 goals against average, .926 save percentage and seven shutouts. McKenna has played in 332 American Hockey League games, registering a 159-131-20 career record, 2.73 goals against average, .913 save percentage and 22 shutouts.

McKenna has played in 22 National Hockey League games for Arizona (2014-2015), Columbus (2013-2014), New Jersey (2010-2011) and Tampa Bay (2008-2009). The St. Louis, Mo., native was selected by the Nashville Predators in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2002 NHL Draft.

Regner, 26, played 71 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves during the 2014-15 season, recording six goals and 23 assists for 29 points and a team-leading plus-21 rating while serving as team captain.

The Westlock, Alta., native has played in 388 career AHL games, recording 24 goals and 118 assists for 142 points.

Regner was originally selected by Columbus in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.

Harper, 26, played 75 games for the Chicago Wolves during the 2014-15 season, leading the club in goals (32) and points (50). Harper’s 32 goals ranked him third in the AHL. The Valencia, Calif., native has played in 281 career AHL games, recording 124 points (65-59—124).

Acolatse, 24, played 38 games with the Adirondack Flames during the 2014-15 season, recording six goals, 13 assists and 68 penalty minutes. Acolatse has played 195 career AHL games, recording 78 points (23-55—78) and 285 penalty minutes.

Gaunce, 25, played 73 AHL games with the Texas Stars during the 2014-15 season, recording four goals and 10 assists for 14 points.

In 344 career AHL contests with Texas and Lake Erie, Gaunce has registered 17 goals and 80 assists for 97 points along with a plus-50 rating. He won a Calder Cup championship with the Stars in 2014.

Gaunce, who has played 20 career games in the NHL with Dallas and Colorado, was selected by the Avalanche in the second round (50th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.