Michael Leighton Joins Phantoms

Published on January 4, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Flyers goalie Michael Leighton has been assigned to the Adirondack Phantoms and will join the team this week according to Head Coach Joe Paterson.

Leighton, 29, is in his ninth NHL season, his third with the Flyers. He played in four games with the Phantoms on an NHL conditioning stint from December 4-11 going 1-3-0, 2.78, .906. He recorded his first win as an Adirondack Phantom and first in the AHL since 2007-08 in a 5-2 decision at the Syracuse Crunch on December 10.

He has played one game with the Flyers this year, a 7-4 victory at the Los Angeles Kings last Thursday, December 30 in which he made 32 saves on 36 shots.

In order to join the Phantoms, Leighton needed to clear NHL waivers. Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren spoke to Joe Siville of philadelphiaflyers.com about the decision.

"It's something that we've thought about here over the last few days," said Holmgren. "There's really two reasons for doing this. One, it's in the best interest of the Flyers at this time, and number two, it's in the best interest of Michael. We need to get Michael playing at a higher level, and unfortunately when you have a goaltender situation like we have, it's hard to do right now."

"We expect (Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky) to continue to play well, and we need to get Michael playing at the level he can play at. It's unfortunate that it has to come to this, but I think Michael's understanding of it."

The native of Petrolia, Ontario signed a two-year contract extension on June 30, 2010. He underwent back surgery on October 11, a partial discectomy, performed by Dr. Alex Vacarro at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia.

In the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Leighton made his NHL postseason debut when he entered in relief of Brian Boucher in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Boston. He helped lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final, recording an 8-3 mark with a 2.46 GAA and .916 save percentage in 14 games. During the Eastern Conference Final vs. Montreal, he set a Flyers franchise record by posting three shutouts in the series to help the Flyers capture their first Eastern Conference Championship since 1997.

In the 2009-10 regular season, Leighton compiled a 16-5-2 record to go along with a 2.48 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 27 regular-season appearances, including one shutout. He was acquired by the Flyers off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec.15, 2009 and went unbeaten in regulation in his first 10 starts (Dec. 23, 2009 through Jan. 12, 2010), posting a record of 8-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .928 save percentage. Leighton was named the NHL's 'Second Star' of the week ending Feb. 14 after going 4-0-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .925 save percentage. He went on to set a new career high for wins in a season (17).

In 103 NHL games with the Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Carolina Hurricanes over parts of nine NHL seasons, Leighton has a career record of 34-40-10-4, a 2.94 GAA, .902 save percentage, and four shutouts.

Phantoms Upcoming Games

Wednesday, January 5, 7:00pm - Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils

Friday, January 7, 10:00pm - Adirondack Phantoms at Abbotsford Heat

Saturday, January 8, 10:00pm - Adirondack Phantoms at Abbotsford Heat

Friday, January 14, 7:30pm - Hershey Bears at Adirondack Phantoms

Saturday, January 15, 7:00pm - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms

Don't be left out! Tickets for all Phantoms games are on sale now. Discount rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Save off the individual ticket price by asking the Phantoms about their great group rate packages.

The AHL is celebrating their 75th anniversary season and is the top development league for the NHL. More than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates and more than 6 million fans attend AHL games every year.

Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers prospects with exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey! A variety of ticket packages for all the fast-paced action are on sale now. The Phantoms selection of discount ticket packages includes 3-packs, 6-packs, 12 and 22 Select Plans, full season plans and Flex Packs. Choose the plan that works best for you! Get your tickets at the Phantoms office inside the Glens Falls Civic Center, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2011


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