Florida Panthers Executive Vice President/General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has acquired C Brandon Pirri from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Florida’s third round draft choice in the 2014 National Hockey League draft and Florida’s fifth round choice in the 2016 NHL Entry draft.

“Brandon is a young and talented player who we are extremely pleased to have acquired,” said Tallon. “He has experienced tremendous success on the American Hockey League level, being named MVP of the All-Star game and winning the league’s scoring title. Pirri further adds to our depth at center along with Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad and Drew Shore. We look forward to his contributions to our team.”

Pirri, 22, has played in 35 NHL contests, all with Chicago (2011-2014) scoring six goals with seven assists and six PIM. The Toronto, Ontario, native has played in 26 games with Rockford this season averaging a point-per-game, registering 26 points (11-15-26). Last season, Pirri won the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL’s leading scorer, recording 75 points (22-53-75) in 76 games played with Rockford. He also was named MVP of the 2014 AHL All-Star game, recording two goals and an assist.

For his career in the AHL, Pirri has played in 212 games, all with Rockford (2010-2014), scoring 57 goals with 117 assists. Pirri was drafted by Chicago in the second round (29th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.