Panthers, F Vinnie Hinostroza agree to terms on 1-year contract

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Vinnie Hinostroza on a one-year contract.

“Vinnie is a competitive forward who plays a strong two-way game,” said Zito. “He is a versatile playmaker who brings a mix of skill, speed and energy to our team.”

Hinostroza, 26, appeared in 68 regular season games with the Arizona Coyotes in 2019-20, recording 22 points (5-17-22) and registered two assists over seven postseason games.

The 5-foot-9, 173-pound native of Chicago, Ill., has played in 246 career regular season National Hockey League games, producing 100 points (34-66-100) with Arizona (2018-19 to 2019-20) and the Chicago Blackhawks (2015-16 to 2017-18). He has appeared in eight career playoff games, notching two assists.

In 2018-19, Hinostroza, recorded a career-best 39 points (16-23-39) over 72 games with the Coyotes. During his time in the American Hockey League (AHL), he was named a 2018 AHL All-Star, while playing with the Rockford IceHogs.

On the international stage, Hinostroza has represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Prior to his professional career, he played two seasons (2013-14 to 2014-15) for the University of Notre Dame (Hockey East) amassing 76 points (19-57-76) in 76 games. He was named to the 2013-14 Hockey East All-Rookie Team and the 2014-15 Hockey East First All-Star Team.

Hinostroza played three seasons with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), recording 126 points (53-73-126) over 151 games before making the jump to the NCAA.

He was originally selected by Chicago in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.