Team acquired goaltender in trade with Montreal at 2007 draft

RALEIGH, NC—Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with goaltender Michael Leighton on a one-year contract. The deal will pay Leighton $550,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level. The Hurricanes acquired Leighton from Montreal in exchange for a seventh-round pick (192nd overall – Scott Kishel) on June 23, the second day of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

“Michael is a big goalie who uses his size well and has gained significant experience at the NHL level in recent years,” said Karmanos. “His addition strengthens our organization’s depth in goal.”

Leighton, 26, signed with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2006 offseason, and found himself with the Ducks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens organizations throughout the 2006-07 season. The Petrolia, Ont., native played in five NHL regular-season games in 2006-07, posting a 2-2-0 record and a 3.94 goals-against average in games with Nashville and Philadelphia. Leighton (6’3”, 186 lbs.) posted a 10-6-3 record, 2.14 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 21 American Hockey League regular-season games in 2006-07 with the Portland Pirates and the Philadelphia Phantoms. He has appeared in 47 career NHL regular-season games and registered a 10-23-10 record, 3.04 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage with Chicago, Nashville and Philadelphia. The Blackhawks selected Leighton in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

The Carolina Hurricanes open their preseason schedule on Sunday, Sept. 16 against the Washington Capitals at 3 p.m. The game is free to all fans as part of the annual Caniac Carnival. The Hurricanes begin their 10th Anniversary regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the RBC Center against the Montreal Canadiens. For information on Hurricanes ticket packages, please see our tickets home page.