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Goaltender Anton Khudobin signs with Hurricanes

The 'Canes signed 27-year-old Anton Khudobin to back up entrenched starter Cam Ward, on Friday, giving the team a dynamic one-two punch.

By Jonathan Stout
Anton Khudobin in net versus the Hurricanes at PNC Arena on January 28, 2013.
Anton Khudobin in net versus the Hurricanes at PNC Arena on January 28, 2013.
Jamie Kellner

The Carolina Hurricanes and goaltender Anton Khudobin agreed to a one year, $800,000 deal on the first day of free agency,

Khudobin was originally selected No. 206 overall in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild. He's compiled a 14-5-1 career record through 21 games in the NHL with a .933 save percentage and 2.02 goals against average.

Last season Khudobin backed up Tuukka Rask on the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins squad. He compiled a 9-4-1 record, with a .920 save percentage and 2.32 goals against average.

"We didn't see him play a bad game this year," Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He played extremely well and we fell that he can do that for us."

According to Rutherford, the team is a "familiar" with Khudobin. He said a team scout in the Boston area started talking about Khudobin mid-way through the season, and the goaltender spent time with the 'Canes ECHL affiliate four years ago.

Rutherford said backup goalie Justin Peters will most likely see time with the team next year, but all signs point to him returning as the No. 1 goalie for the Charlotte Checkers.