After an exciting preseason for the city of Winnipeg, the announcement came through that another old dog will get a look. Goaltender David Aebischer, who was invited to training camp on September 19th, has signed a deal with Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps.
The deal was done on Wednesday, and leaves the IceCaps with three netminders. Though three goaltenders is not typically what coaches strive for, head coach Keith McCambridge is pleased to have a goaltender with the history that Aebischer has come into his locker room, and play amongst his team.
Aebischer was squeezed out of the league in 2007-2008, where he began his four year stint with Lugano of the Swiss League. In his most recent season with Lugano, Abby played 36 games going 12-24-0 with a 3.10 goals against average and .885 save percentage and 3 shutouts.
The 33 year-old Swiss born goaltender had a great run in the NHL. He was drafted 161st overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and climbed his way through the ECHL and AHL to finally play behind all-star Patrick Roy. In 2000-2001, Aebischer would lift Lord Stanley’s Cup. 2003-2004 was Aebischer’s first year as the Avalanche’s number one goaltender, and arguably his best of his career. In 62 games he went 32-19-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .924 save percentage, racking up 4 shutouts.
His reign was short lived as he was deal to the Montreal Canadiens in 2005-2006, and would play just 39 games between his two years with the Habs. His last NHL game was his single game with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007-2008.
In 214 career NHL games Aebischer is 106-74-5 with a 2.52 GAA and .912 save percentage with 13 shutouts. At the AHL level, he has appeared 103 times posting a 48-36-0 record with a 2.98 GAA and .907 save percentage and 3 shutouts.
Aebischer is back, chomping at the bit – trying to take his place where he rightfully should have been all the while. His preseason looked solid, and here’s hoping his efforts pay off.
- Kendall Grubbs
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