The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed 6’0’’, 190-pound unrestricted free agent left wing Geoff Sanderson to a two-year contract, according to club General Manager Bob Clarke. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“Geoff is an exceptionally gifted skater and goal scorer,” said Clarke in making the announcement. “We have obviously increased our goal scoring and increased the speed of our club. It was the intent in the off-season to do that, and Geoff will help us improve in that area."

“I’m really excited to be joining the Flyers. It’s great to be on an elite team in the NHL that has high expectations to win the Stanley Cup,” said Sanderson. “You look at the lineup they have and I am really excited to be part of it. I would best describe myself as a speed-type forward. I try to generate turnovers on the forecheck and just try to use my speed, which is probably my best asset.”

Sanderson, 34, recorded 25 goals and 21 assists for 46 points and 58 penalty minutes in 75 games last season for the Phoenix Coyotes and was scoreless in two games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was acquired by Phoenix from Columbus along with Tim Jackman in exchange for Jason Chimera, Michael Rupp and Cale Hulse on October 8, 2005.

In parts of 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (1990-91 through 2003-04; 2005-06) with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres and Phoenix, Sanderson has registered 341 goals and 317 assists for 658 points and 451 penalty minutes in 1,005 games. Sanderson has played in two NHL All-Star Games, in 1994 and 1997, both as a member of the Whalers.

Sanderson will be reunited with Flyers Assistant General Manager Paul Holmgren, who was the head coach of the Whalers from 1992 to 1995.

“Homer was one of my earliest coaches in my career and probably had the biggest impact on my career as any coach has. He taught me a lot about work ethic, especially in practice, and caring about your teammates.”

A native of Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada, Sanderson was originally drafted by Hartford from the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League in the second round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft (36th overall).