April 8, 2008

River Rats Leighton Named AHL’s Outstanding Goaltender For 2007-08


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.”

 




 
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