The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar on a one-year, one-way contract worth $900K, avoiding an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 30.

“We are pleased to have agreed to terms with MacKenzie,” said Dale Tallon. “He is a versatile, young two-way defender who made big strides in his development during his rookie season. We’re excited about keeping our group of talented young players together after their contributions to our strong finish last season. We look forward to watching our club build from that success this coming season and for years to come.”

The 24-year-old Weegar appeared in 60 games during his first full NHL season with the Panthers, recording eight points (2G/6A). The 6-foot, 212-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario, finished second among Florida defensemen with 108 hits, while averaging 14:34 of ice time.

Weegar has played in 63 career NHL games and has suited up for 153 Anerican Hockey League games producing 70 points (23-47-70) and was named an AHL All-Star in the 2016-17 season.

Originally selected by the Cats in the seventh round (206th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Weegar is currently only one of four players to have played an NHL game from the 2013 Draft’s seventh round and his 63 career games stand as the most played of the four.