Maple Leafs sign goaltender MacDonald

The Toronto Maple Leafs, parent club of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, announced Monday that they have signed free-agent goaltender Joey MacDonald to a one-year contract.

“We are pleased to be able to add a goaltender of Joey’s caliber to our roster,” said Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke. “He brings experience and character to our organization and gives us depth at the goaltending position.”

MacDonald, 29, registered a 14-26-6 record, one shutout, a 3.37 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in 49 games with the New York Islanders last season. He started 17 consecutive games from Nov. 3 to Dec. 8 and was named the NHL’s "Third Star of the Month" for November after leading all goaltenders in games (14), minutes (842) and shots faced (439), and sharing the lead in wins (8).

The 6-0, 197-pound goaltender has appeared in 66 career NHL games with the Islanders, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings, posting a record of 17-34-9 with a 3.31 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.

During the 2002-03 season with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, MacDonald and teammate Marc Lamothe won the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Trophy which is awarded annually to the team with the lowest goals-against average. In 202 career AHL games, MacDonald has notched a 104-76-4 record, 18 shutouts, a 2.47 GAA and a .919 save percentage.

A native of Pictou, N.S., MacDonald was originally signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings on January 15, 2002.