Amateur Bout: Florida Panthers name Shane Churla new scouting director

The Florida Panthers have gotten tougher on the ice — and off it as well as they announced Shane Churla as the team’s new director of amateur scouting on Monday.

Churla, 55, has spent the past seven seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. He has been the Canadiens’ director of amateur scouting the past four years. He was also an amateur scout with Dallas and the Coyotes.

He replaces Jason Bukala who was not retained by new general manager Bill Zito.

Churla joins Gregory Campbell and P.J. Fenton as recent additions to Florida’s amateur scouting and development department.