“Jeff is a focused, driven and hard working player who we are very pleased to have join our organization,” said Sexton. “He posted career best numbers last season while playing for Wilkes-Barre, but has also shown that he can play in the National Hockey League. We expect him to compete for a position on our team in training camp. ”

Taffe, 28, split last season playing for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (AHL). He appeared in eight games for Pittsburgh registering two assists, as well as 74 games for Wilkes-Barre posting career highs in goals (25), assists (50) and points (75). For his career in the NHL, he has played in 153 contests for Phoenix (2002-06, 2006-07), NY Rangers (2005-06) and Pittsburgh (2007-09) registering 20 goals with 22 assists and 36 PIM.

The Hastings, Minnesota native played three years at the University of Minnesota (1999-2002). He won the NCAA Championship while playing with current Panthers D Jordan Leopold and D Keith Ballard during the 2001-02 season. He was originally drafted by St. Louis with their first choice (30th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

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                                            --- Regular Season ---  ---- Playoffs ----
Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  GP   G   A Pts PIM
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2001-02  U. of Minnesota             NCAA   43   34   24   58   86
2002-03  Springfield Falcons         AHL    57   23   26   49   44   5   0   3   3   8
2002-03  Phoenix Coyotes             NHL    20    3    1    4    4  --  --  --  --  --
2003-04  Springfield Falcons         AHL    15   10    6   16   19  --  --  --  --  --
2003-04  Phoenix Coyotes             NHL    59    8   10   18   20  --  --  --  --  --
2004-05  Utah Grizzlies              AHL    27    9   10   19   35  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  Phoenix Coyotes             NHL     2    0    0    0    0  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  New York Rangers            NHL     2    0    0    0    0  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  Hartford Wolf Pack          AHL    36    6   16   22   34  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  San Antonio Rampage         AHL    33    5    6   11   29  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  San Antonio Rampage         AHL    59   20   20   40   22  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  Phoenix Coyotes             NHL    17    4    2    6    2  --  --  --  --  --
2007-08  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pen   AHL    27   11   10   21   22  --  --  --  --  --
2007-08  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL    45    5    7   12    8  --  --  --  --  --
2008-09  Pittsburgh Penguins         NHL     8    0    2    2    2  --  --  --  --  --
2008-09  Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pen   AHL    74   25   50   75   65  12   5   6  11  22

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         NHL Totals                        153   20   22   42   36

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