The Columbus Blue Jackets, parent club of the AHL’s Springfield Falcons, have agreed to terms with goaltenders Mark Dekanich and Curtis Sanford on one-year contracts, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced today.
Dekanich has signed a one-way NHL contract, while Sanford has agreed to terms on a two-way NHL/American Hockey League deal. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.
"We believe the addition of both Mark and Curtis has addressed our organization’s needs at the goaltending position," said Howson.
Sanford (1.93, .930) and Dekanich (2.02, .931) owned two of the top three goals-against averages and the top two save percentages in the AHL in 2010-11.
Dekanich, 25, posted a 23-12-2 record for the Milwaukee Admirals last season, ranking third in the league with a 2.02 GAA and first with a .931 save percentage. He also had four shutouts in 43 games and was selected to play in the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic.
Drafted by Nashville in 2006, Dekanich made his NHL debut with Nashville on Dec. 18, 2010 vs. Los Angeles and stopped 22 of 25 shots in 50 minutes of action. In 122 career AHL games with Milwaukee, he fashioned a 65-38-11 record with nine shutouts.
A native of North Vancouver, B.C., Dekanich played four seasons at Colgate University (ECAC) from 2004-08.
Sanford, 32, led the AHL with a 1.93 GAA, ranked second with a .930 save percentage and posted five shutouts while going 22-13-2 in 40 appearances for the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010-11, earning Second Team AHL All-Star honors.
Sanford has compiled a 37-37-11 record, a 2.76 GAA, a .901 save percentage and five shutouts in 108 career NHL games with St. Louis and Vancouver during his 11-year pro career.
Sanford has gone 122-89-22 with a 2.27 GAA, a .912 save percentage and 23 shutouts in 253 career AHL games. The Owen Sound, Ont., native played for Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel with Manitoba during the 2008-09 season, helping the Moose reach the Calder Cup Finals.
