The Carolina Hurricanes shored up Charlotte’s goaltending situation Wednesday by inking veteran Michael Leighton to a two-way contract.
The 35-year-old netminder has 15 pro seasons under his belt and has carved out quite the career between the pipes. Aside from becoming the league’s all-time shutout leader last season with his 46th, Leighton is a four-time AHL All Star. He has also earned three Goaltender of the Month awards during his career, has been named to the AHL’s First All-Star Team (2007-08) and the All-Rookie Team (2001-02), and has taken home the Baz Bastien Memorial Award for the AHL’s Best Goaltender in 2007-08.
Charlotte would mark the seventh AHL club Leighton has played for over his career, though this is his second stint in the Carolina organization. The Petrolia, Ontario, native joined the club in 2007-08, starring for the then-affiliate Albany River Rats (and winning the aforementioned goalie of the year award) while appearing in three games for the Hurricanes. Leighton would spend the next season serving as Cam Ward’s backup in Carolina before being claimed on waivers by Philadelphia during the 2009-10 campaign.
Leighton, who was selected in the sixth round of the 1999 draft by Chicago, is coming off a stellar season with the Rockford IceHogs, one that saw him tie for sixth in the league with 28 wins.
The addition of Leighton gives the Hurricanes some flexibility with their goalie depth. The veteran will likely serve as the organization’s number three netminder while helping Carolina’s two young prospects – Alex Nedeljkovic and Daniel Altshuller – develop.