BOSTON (Ticker) - The goaltending uncertainty of the Boston Bruins is over.
The Bruins on Friday re-signed Andrew Raycroft to a one-year contract, ending speculation the team would begin the 2005-06 season without the reigning Calder Trophy winner.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Raycroft made $550,000 during his rookie season in 2003-04.
On Wednesday, the Bruins agreed to terms with 31-year-old Tim Thomas, ensuring they would have another goaltender to tandem with 2002 first-round pick Hannu Toivonen once the season began.
A restricted free agent, Raycroft helped lead the Bruins to a 41-19-15-7 record in 2003-04, the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference. The 25-year-old posted a 29-18-9 mark with three shutouts, a 2.05 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 57 games.
"Andrew has emerged as one of the brightest young goaltenders in the NHL," Boston general manager Mike O'Connell said. "That was established when he won the Calder Trophy in 2004 and finished among the league leaders overall in goals-against average and save percentage. We expect that he will continue to build on that and remain among the core of our team for many years to come."
A fifth-round pick in 1998, Raycroft was named the Ontario Hockey League's Most Valuable Player while with Kingston in 1999-00, becoming the first goalie in 50 years to win the award. He appeared in 21 games with the Bruins over the next three seasons before breaking through as the team's starting netminder in 2003-04.
Last season, the Belleville, Ontario native played 11 games with Tappara Tampere of Finland, going 4-5-2 with one shutout and a 2.92 GAA.
In 78 career games, Raycroft owns a 35-27-10 record with three shutouts and a 2.22 GAA.