Sunrise, FL (My Sportsbook) - The Florida Panthers agreed to terms on a three-year contract with highly-touted defenseman Jay Bouwmeester Monday. Bouwmeester, the third player selected at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, will receive a reported $1.185 million per-season in base salary and can earn additional performance incentives.

The 6-4, 210 pounder had until 3 p.m. (et) Monday to get a deal done with Florida or he would have had to return to the Medicine Hat Tigers, his junior club in the Western Hockey League.

"Because we've been in the middle of negotiations it's been difficult to express just how impressed we've been with this young hockey player," said Florida general manager Rick Dudley. "He truly is as good a prospect as I've seen in many years. It will be fun to be associated with this evolving talent."

The 19-year-old Bouwmeester, who was the top ranked prospect by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2002 Entry Draft, played six games for the Panthers in the preseason and recorded two assists. He appeared in 61 games for Medicine Hat last season, scoring 11 goals and 50 assists, while winning the fastest skater contest at the Top Prospects Skills Competition on January 31.