On the heels of two disappointing seasons, the Rochester Amerks vowed Monday to add veteran free agents and improve their stock going into next season.

The team released this statement:

"The No. 1 priority, and activity, of the Rochester Americans during this offseason has been to identify free agent players who would strengthen the Amerks team for next season. The announced plans of the Amerks and the Florida Panthers was that we would actively recruit at least four to five veteran players to make the Amerks a more competitive team next year. Our Hockey Department is focused solely on this task and Jody Gage continues to lead the Amerks' efforts in this area. This will be an ongoing process up until July 1st and Jody will be active in this recruitment drive on an ongoing basis."

Amerks President Lewis Staats also released a statement about the Amerks and Florida Panthers:

"We have been in contact with Bill Torrey and (Panthers Assistant GM) Randy Sexton of the Florida Panthers on the departure of Jacques Martin to Montreal. They have indicated to us that they are working to fill the Panthers general manager role as soon as possible and have assured us that any negotiations and commitments that have been made, on their behalf, regarding the Rochester Americans will continue to be a priority of the new GM and his management team."