Elk River’s Kiersted re-signs with Florida Panthers

Fresh off of winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 30-year history, on Friday, June 28, the Florida Panthers re-signed defenseman and Elk River native Matt Kiersted to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2024-25 season. Kiersted’s contract will expire on July 1, 2025. Kiersted was a teammate of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix when they played for the Elks.

Kiersted, 26, has skated in 37 career NHL games, all with the Panthers, but didn’t play a game with Florida in 2023-24. Because he didn’t appear with the team, he will likely not have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

Kiersted and the Panthers will visit the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 18, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.