Hurricanes re-sign G Leighton to one-year deal

Jul 27, 2007, 18:30 GMT

Raleigh, NC - The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed goaltender Michael Leighton to a one-year contract on Friday.

Carolina acquired Leighton during the NHL draft on June 23 in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice. The new contract will pay Leighton $550,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 a the minor-league level.

'Michael is a big goalie who uses his size well and has gained significant experience at the NHL level in recent years,' said Hurricanes vice president and assistant general manager Jason Karmanos. 'His addition strengthens our organization's depth in goal.'

Leighton, 26, bounced around the NHL last season, spending time with the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

He played in five games, four with Philadelphia and one with Nashville, and posted a 2-2 record with a 3.93 goals-against average.

He has appeared in 47 games, all but five with Chicago, since coming into the league during the 2001-02 season and has a 10-23-10 record with a 3.04 GAA. The Blackhawks selected Leighton in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 1999 draft.

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