Hurricanes sign help for Ward

Leighton was AHL's top goalie

Michael Leighton might have been a little disappointed that his NHL audition lasted only three games last season, but he returned to the minor leagues bent on getting another chance. Now he's going to get it.

Leighton, the goalie of the year in the American Hockey League, signed a two-year contract worth $1.2 million with the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday to replace John Grahame as Cam Ward's backup in goal.

Leighton was the front-runner for that vacancy, but his status wasn't confirmed until Carolina's organizational meetings last week.

In three starts for the Canes last season, Leighton was 1-1-0 with a 2.66 GAA and .897 save percentage, but he spent the rest of the season with the Albany River Rats.

"Michael had an outstanding year with Albany last season, and also handled himself well during his time on the NHL level," Hurricanes assistant general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "He has earned a role on our team going forward and we feel confident in our goaltending situation with him and Cam Ward between the pipes."

Leighton led the AHL in shutouts (seven) and save percentage (.931) and was third in goals-against average (2.10). His 98-save performance in a five-overtime playoff loss, the longest game in AHL history, is believed to be a professional hockey record.

Grahame made $1.4 million in each of the past two seasons as Ward's backup, so the Canes will save $800,000 in that spot -- enough to cover Ward's contractual increase from $2 million to $2.5 million this season.