SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has acquired forward Jean-Sébastien Dea from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Chris Wideman. Dea will report to Florida’s American Hockey league affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Dea, 25, has appeared in 23 NHL games this season with the New Jersey Devils (3-2-5 in 20 GP) and Pittsburgh Penguins (1-0-1 in 3 GP), producing six points (4-2-6). The 5-foot-11, 175-pound native of Laval, Quebec, has recorded 22 points (6-16-22) over 26 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).

He has appeared in 29 career NHL games with New Jersey (2018-19) and Pittsburgh (2016-17 to 2017-18, 2018-19), posting seven points (5-2-7). In 288 career AHL games, Dea has registered 163 points (72-91-163).

The Thunderbirds return to the MassMutual Center on Friday, March 1 for Boomer Bobblehead night presented by Stop & Shop, as the T-Birds and Wolf Pack square off once again for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. On Saturday, March 2, New England Patriots Super Bowl champion Trey Flowers will be on hand for a meet-and-greet beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the MassMutual Center concourse.

Springfield Thunderbirds 2019-2020 ticket memberships are on sale now and include the best benefits of being a Thunderbirds ticket holder. To learn more about memberships and single game tickets, visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).