Men's Hockey | 8/6/2013 10:59:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY - Former RIT standout forward Steve Pinizzotto (Mississauga, ON/Oakville Blades) signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League on Monday, August 5. He played the 2012-13 season with the Vancouver Canucks.
 
"Steve has worked very hard to reach his goal of playing in the NHL," said RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson." Last year was a breakthrough year for him in Vancouver and I expect him to build on last year with Florida this year. We are very proud of his work ethic and perseverance."

Pinizzotto left RIT after his sophomore season and signed with the Washington Capitals in March 2007. Pinizzotto was called up to Washington on March 24, 2009, but did not dress. In July 2011, Pinizzotto signed with Vancouver after spending four seasons in the Washington organization. He was a part of two Calder Cup Championships with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears.
 
Pinizzotto, 29, appeared in 12 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks last season recording 29 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward also appeared in 24 contests with Chicago (AHL) recording four goals with eight assists. He made his NHL debut on March 14, 2013 against the Nashville Predators.

Pinizzotto was slated to make his NHL debut with Vancouver in 2011-12, but suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason. He has played in 234 AHL games in six seasons.

The Mississauga, Ontario native played two seasons with RIT, helping lead the team to the 2007 AHA regular season championship. Pinizzotto recorded 22 goals and 40 assists for 62 points in 58 career games for RIT from 2005-07. He also had 12 power-play goals, 112 penalty minutes and was a plus-1.  Pinizzotto led the squad in scoring with 44 points on 13 goals and 31 assists in 34 games during the 2006-07 season.
 
Pinizzotto joins Chris Tanev (Toronto, Ontario/) as the only former Tigers to ever suit up in an NHL contest. Pinizzotto and Tanev were teammates with Vancouver last season.