Panthers acquire Santorelli

The Florida Panthers, parent club of the AHL’s Rochester Americans, have acquired restricted free-agent forward Mike Santorelli from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft.

Santorelli led the Milwaukee Admirals with 26 goals and 59 points in just 57 games last season, his third pro campaign. The 24-year-old Vancouver native also tallied two goals and an assist in 25 NHL games with the Predators.

A sixth-round draft choice by Nashville in 2004, Santorelli totaled 74 goals and 97 assists for 171 points over three seasons in Milwaukee. He added nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 24 Calder Cup Playoff contests, and represented the Admirals at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic.