Michael Leighton
| Michael Leighton | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Born |
May 19, 1981 Petrolia, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
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NHL team Former teams |
Carolina Hurricanes Chicago Blackhawks Nashville Predators Philadelphia Flyers HC Donbass |
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| NHL Draft | 165th overall, 1999 Chicago Blackhawks |
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| Playing career | 2001–present | ||
Michael W. "Mike" Leighton (born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Leighton grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of Petrolia, Ontario for the Petrolia Oilers of the OMHA Bluewater League and AAA for the Lambton Lightning of the Alliance League.
At age 16, he played for the Petrolia Jets Jr.B. team of the OHA's Western Ontario Hockey League before being drafted by the Windsor Spitfires in the 3rd round (56th overall) in the 1998 OHL Priority Selection.
Leighton began impressing scouts while playing for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League. Following his rookie season, he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft with the 165th overall pick. He played two more seasons in the OHL before signing an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks prior to the 2001–02 AHL season.
He played two seasons in the AHL for the Norfolk Admirals before making his NHL debut on January 8, 2003. He became the first Blackhawks player to record a shutout in his debut during a scoreless tie against the Phoenix Coyotes' Zac Bierk. Bierk also earned his first career shutout, although it was not his NHL debut. It was the first time that two goalies in the same game both earned their first career shutouts. He would compete with Craig Anderson for backup duties, and therefore never spent a complete season in the NHL during his time with Chicago.
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