The Ray Emery era is set to begin in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Wednesday, they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Emery, who played with Atlant Mytischi of the Kontinental Hockey League last season.
''We are extremely excited and happy to have entered into this agreement with Ray,'' said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. ''We believe Ray is a good, young goalie that has a unique blend of size, competitiveness and athleticism.''
Emery is not eligible to formally sign a contract until July 1, which is the first day that free agents can sign with NHL clubs.
''I'm excited to be able to get a chance to play with a team that's a contender and I'm grateful for the opportunity that's being given,'' said Emery. ''I think I have the ability to play consistent. I'm athletic, but I try to rely on a system and make things as simple as possible.''
Following Philadelphia's first round playoff elimination, Holmgren acknowledged that he was going to consider all options in goal since both Flyers goaltenders from last season, Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki, are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
Emery helped the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007, but had a number of off-ice concerns that contributed to the Senators first placing Emery on waivers in June 2008 before the team bought out his contract.
"I wish I could have changed some things about my last year there (in Ottawa)," said Emery. "That being said, I can definitely say that I have learned from those bad experiences, maybe more than I learned from the good times that we had there."
Emery earned a net salary of over $2 million last season in the KHL.
