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The Carolina Hurricanes announced this morning the recall of goaltender Michael Leighton from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers while reassigning goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to Charlotte.
While in Charlotte, Leighton played in back to back contests for the Checkers, losing both games to Milwaukee with one of the losses coming in overtime. Nedeljkovic made his NHL debut Tuesday night during the Canes’ 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, relieving Cam Ward in the second period. Nedeljkovic stopped all 17 shots he faced in 30 minutes of action.
See the official team release below:
CANES RECALL MICHAEL LEIGHTON FROM CHARLOTTE
Alex Nedeljkovic reassigned to Checkers
Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has recalled goaltender Michael Leighton from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team also reassigned goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to Charlotte.
Leighton, 35, is 2-1-0 with a 3.53 goals-against average this season for the Hurricanes. The Petrolia, Ont., native ranks tied for ninth among AHL goaltenders this season in goals-against average (2.32) and tied for 10th in save percentage (.918), earning an 8-6-3 record for Charlotte. In 109 career NHL regular-season games, Leighton (6’3”, 186 lbs.) has compiled a 37-42-14 record, a 2.96 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage with Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia and Carolina. He was drafted by Chicago in the sixth round, 165th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, and signed as a free agent with the Hurricanes on Sept. 7, 2016.