Believe it or not, the Blue Jackets have goaltenders not named "Bobrovsky" under contract, and today that group continues to include Curtis McElhenney. The AHL All-Star net minder signed a one-year contract with the Jackets for 2013-14. Here's the press release:
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN GOALTENDER CURTIS McELHINNEY
Coming off All-Star season in the AHL, McElhinney inks one-year deal for the 2013-14 National Hockey League season COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Curtis McElhinney to a one-year contract for the 2013-14 National Hockey League season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed. McElhinney, who turned 30 yesterday, has appeared in 69 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators, compiling a 19-26-4 record with a 3.09 goals-against average, .899 save percentage and two shutouts. In 2012-13, he was one of the top goaltenders in the American Hockey League as he went 29-6-3 with a 2.29 GAA, .923 SV% with nine shutouts in 49 games with the Springfield Falcons. He led the AHL in shutouts while ranking third in wins, fifth in saves (1,462) and minutes played (2,926), sixth-tied in SV% and 10th in GAA. He also stopped 15-of-16 shots for the Eastern Conference at the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic. “Curtis is a solid pro who was one of the best goaltenders in the American Hockey League this past season” said Kekalainen. “He is a veteran goaltender with NHL experience and we believe he’s earned the opportunity to be a part of our team in 2013-14.” McElhinney was Calgary’s ninth pick, 176th overall, in the 2002 NHL Draft. He was 1-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .944 SV% in two games with Phoenix in 2011-12, while going 10-13-0 with a 3.04 GAA and .907 SV% in 25 games with the AHL’s Portland Pirates. Columbus originally acquired his rights from Phoenix along with two draft picks (second round in 2012 and fifth round in 2013) in exchange for forward Antoine Vermette on February 22, 2012. McElhinney then signed a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1, 2012. A native of London, Ontario, McElhinney has appeared in 205 career AHL games with Omaha, Quad-City, Portland and Springfield, posting a 103-78-8 record with a 2.37 GAA, .915 SV% and 22 shutouts since 2005. He was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team in 2007 after going 35-17-1 with a 2.13 GAA, .917 SV% and seven shutouts in 57 games with Omaha. Prior to commencing his professional career, McElhinney spent four seasons at Colorado College, where he registered a 62-16-8 record with a 2.32 GAA and nine shutouts in 91 career games. In 2003, he was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West Second All-American Team while earning WCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West First All-American Team honors in 2005.
