Special to the Daily Breeze, brerezesports@breezenewspapers.com

The Florida Panthers Tuesday assigned rookie defenseman Peter Aston to the roster of the Florida Everblades. Ashton had been playing for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

Ashton, 22, a fifth-round draft pick by the Panthers in 2006, played in 56 games for Rochester, registering 13 points. His points and 10 assists both were third-highest for Rochester defensemen.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Ashton was a teammate of Everblades goaltender David Shantz while with the junior league Peterborough Petes in the 2005-06 season.

The Everblades also released forward Paul Caponigri, 28, who skated in 16 games with the Everblades after being acquired in a November trade with the Mississippi Sea Wolves.

The Everblades (35-23-8) begin their six-game, regular-season-ending homestand Wednesday night against the Gwinnett Gladiators (41-20-5).