Leighton Named AHL's Top Goaltener

Published on April 8, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - The Albany River Rats announced today that goaltender Michael Leighton has been named the winner of the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding goaltender for the 2007-08 season, as voted by AHL coaches, players and members of the media.

Leighton, 26, becomes the first goaltender in Albany's 15-year history to receive this award, having put together an MVP-caliber season by leading the AHL in save percentage (0.932), shutouts (7), saves (1,606) and is tied for the league-lead in shootout wins (5). The Petrolia, Ontario native ranks second in the AHL in goals-against average (2.07) and minutes played (3,391) and third in wins (28). He made three starts for the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes in early January, including his 50th NHL game in Toronto on January 15th, 2008.

Last week Leighton was selected as a 2007-08 First Team AHL All-Star, becoming the first Albany goaltender and sixth River Rats player to receive that honor. Leighton also was named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending on October 28, 2007 and he was chosen as the starting goaltender for the Canadian All-Stars during the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic in Binghamton, New York.

"This is Mike's fourth AHL award of the season and it is further proof that he is the best goaltender in the league," said River Rats Head Coach and General Manager Tom Rowe. "It is a great achievement for him and for our team and we are very proud to have him in our organization."

The Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award, which was first presented in 1984, honors former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager "Baz" Bastien, who played four seasons in goal with the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets (1945-49) before suffering a career-ending eye injury. Bastien would go on to serve as head coach and general manager of the Hornets, leading them to the 1967 Calder Cup championship. Previous winners of the award include Sam St. Laurent (1986), Mark Laforest (1987, 1991), Felix Potvin (1992), Manny Legace (1996), Jean-Francois Labbe (1997), Martin Biron (1999), Dwayne Roloson (2001), Jason LaBarbera (2004, 2007), Ryan Miller (2005) and Dany Sabourin (2006).

Currently in its 72nd season of play, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 83 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America in each of the past six seasons. Sixteen clubs will continue to vie for the league's coveted championship trophy when the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs get underway next week.

With their stretch of seven-straight road games completed, the River Rats will return home for a Wednesday, April 9th home game against the Norfolk Admirals; a 7:00 pm face off at the Times Union Center. Friday, April 11th they will host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in their regular season home finale at 7:00 pm.

River Rats playoff ticket packages and individual game tickets for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now, with special pricing available for children and seniors. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2008


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