The Vancouver Canucks reached terms with 37-year-old netminder Michael Leighton on a one-year, two-way contract on Tuesday, the team announced.
Leighton was then optioned to the Utica Comets of the AHL where he has already played seven games under a professional tryout contract, leading the team to six wins in seven starts.
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The Petrolia, Ont., native had a career-high 34 NHL regular season games during the 2003-04 as a member of the Blackhawks. He started 13 postseason games for the Flyers in 2010 when they reached the Stanley Cup Final, including three shutouts. During the regular season he went 16-5-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average.
Leighton is a four-time all-star in the AHL and received the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding goaltender following the 2007-08 season. He also holds the record for most saves in an AHL game with 98 which came in a five-overtime loss for the Albany River Rats.
The Canucks who have been inundated with problems between the pipes this season are looking to Leighton to solidify a goalie spot within the organization's ranks. Earlier this month future netminder, 19-year-old Michael DiPietro, was called up on an emergency basis and was thrust into a game Feb. 12