McKenna Recalled on Emergency Basis by Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon announced Thursday that the Panthers have recalled goaltender Mike McKenna on an emergency basis from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

The 33-year old McKenna has played in 13 games with Springfield this season, owning a 4-6-3 record with a 3.10 goals against average and a .894 save percentage. He played in his 400th AHL game on Nov. 7 against the Hartford Wolf Pack to become only the 15th goaltender to reach the 400-game mark in AHL history.

In the 2015-16 AHL season McKenna played in 57 games for the Portland Pirates, finishing the regular season ranking second in the league with a career-high 33 wins, while tying for seventh in save percentage (.921). McKenna also got to make his AHL All-Star Classic debut for the 2016 Atlantic Division All-Star Team.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound native of St. Louis, Mo., has played in 22 NHL games, recording a 5-11-2 record with a 3.48 goals against average, .889 save percentage and one shutout with Arizona (2014-15), Columbus (2013-14), New Jersey (2010-11) and Tampa Bay (2008-09).

McKenna was originally selected by Nashville in the sixth round (192 overall) of the 2002 NHL Draft.

Interested in being part of the next era of AHL hockey in Springfield? Springfield Thunderbirds Ticket Memberships start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.