The Vancouver Canucks have announced the signing of free agent goaltender Andrew Raycroft to a one-year, $500,000 contract.
Raycroft, 29, spent the 2008-09 season as a member of the Colorado Avalanche where he posted a record of 12-16-0 with a 3.14 Goals-Against-Average and a .892 Save-Percentage.
After a string of mediocre seasons, the former NHL rookie of the year believes that he will be prepared for a bounceback season with the Canucks.
"Coming into this year, I think I have a much better idea what I need to do on a daily basis to stay fresh and stay sharp," Raycroft told the CANADIAN PRESS. "In that respect, I feel much more confident and much more comfortable than I did going into last season."
While Raycroft hopes to make an impact on the Canucks fortunes, he realizes his role with the team.
"Lui is the top goalie in the league," Raycroft told the CANADIAN PRESS. "He's going to play when he feels good. I understand that. I am well aware of that.
"Whenever you get the call you have to play well. Practice becomes very important. You look back and there are a lot of teams that have had a lot of success and needed someone to fill in at times and pick up the slack, whether it's injury, or fatigue or a random night in January. Every team needs a second guy who can play. I look forward to having that chance."
In eight NHL seasons, the Belleville, Ontario native has played for three teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins who originally selected him 135th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
In 230 career NHL games, Raycroft, has a record of 94-96-16, with six shutouts and a 2.90 GAA and .899 Save-Percentage.
