ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Thrashers have been beset with
injuries to their goaltenders since the start of the regular
season.
Shields
On Thursday, the Thrashers signed veteran goalie Steve Shields
in the hope that they have found at least a temporary solution.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Shields, 33, had posted a 1.47 goals-against average and a .929
save percentage in two games with the Chicago Wolves of the
American Hockey League this year.
A nine-year NHL veteran, Shields hopes to inherit a position
that has been in constant flux all season.
Mike Dunham, Atlanta's starting netminder at the beginning of
the season, has been sidelined since Oct. 12 with a strained
groin and is out indefinitely. Backup Kari Lehtonen has been on
injured reserve since Oct. 5 with a similar ailment.
The Thrashers had hoped to fill the void with rookies Michael
Garnett and Adam Berkhoel. The young duo has struggled,
however, combining to go 1-4 with an .852 save percentage.
Garnett, who has posted a 6.33 GAA in three
games, was assigned to Chicago to make room for Shields on the
roster.
Berkhoel, 24, has been a little more consistent and will likely
compete with Shields for the starting job until Dunham returns.
A Toronto native, Shields has posted a record of 72-109-39 with
10 shutouts and a 2.64 GAA in 241 career
games.