Lightning add five-time All-Star Leighton

Photo: Gregg Forwerck

The Tampa Bay Lightning, parent club of the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, have signed goaltender Michael Leighton to a one-year, two-way contract.

Leighton, 36, played in 23 games with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League during the 2016-17 season, posting a record of 11-7-3 to go along with 2.17 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. He also made his fifth career AHL All-Star Classic appearance in 2017.

The AHL’s career leader in shutouts (49), Leighton has appeared in 465 career AHL games with a record of 232-172-44, ranking tied for fifth all-time in victories and ninth among goalies in games played. Leighton has also played 28 Calder Cup Playoff games, going 13-12 with a 1.67 GAA, a .946 save percentage and five shutouts.

The Petrolia, Ontario native also appeared in four games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, compiling a record of 2-2-0 to go along with a 3.43 goals-against average and .870 save percentage. The 6-foot-3, 186-pound goaltender has played in 110 career NHL games, posting a record of 37-43-4 with 10 ties, to go along with a 2.98 goals-against average and .900 save percentage. Leighton has also appeared in 16 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, registering a 8-4 record to go along with a 2.54 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. He started for the Flyers during the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, losing to Chicago in six games.

Leighton was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round, 165th overall, at the 1999 NHL Draft.