Kevin Bergin leaves Nottingham Panthers for Amiens

Bergin scored 152 points in 167 games for the Panthers

French-Canadian forward Kevin Bergin will not return to the Nottingham Panthers next season after signing for French club Amiens.

The 28-year-old has spent three years at the National Ice Centre, winning the Challenge Cup twice.

Bergin told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I really wanted to come back to Nottingham again, but I had an offer I couldn't turn down.

"Nottingham was the best spell of my career by far."

Bergin scored 67 goals for the Panthers after joining from EHC Chur in Switzerland in October 2007.

"When I first came to Nottingham I had a tough spell - I was coming back from Switzerland and I kind of lost the desire to play hockey," added Bergin.

"But I got it back in Nottingham. It's great great fun to play ice hockey for the Nottingham Panthers and I am sure I am going to miss it."

The forward won the Challenge Cup with the Panthers in his first season (2007/08) as they beat Sheffield over two legs. Bergin scored a hat trick in the first leg in the Sheffield Arena.

He was also part of the Panthers side that won back the trophy last season, beating Cardiff 8-7 on aggregate.

"The highlight was my hat-trick and five-point night in the Challenge Cup against Sheffield in the first year I came to Nottingham. It turned my season around and I ended up winning my first trophy in Nottingham," he said.

"I am going to miss playing in front of 6,000 fans, you don't get to do that in many places in Europe.

"Hopefully it won't be my last game in Nottingham. Hopefully at some point in my career I will be able to come back and play there again."

Panthers coach Corey Neilson added: "It's a big blow to the club as he has been a loyal servant. He's been a great friend of mine and I knew Kevin long before I came to Nottingham.

"He's going to be a tougher person to replace than most. We'll all going to miss him, but at the same time we want what's best for Kevin.

"This is a great opportunity for him and we wish him the best of luck."