On the heels of their current starting goaltender, Corey Crawford, winning his fifth consecutive playoff game, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired more depth at the position.
Chicago signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Antti Raanta of Finland to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday.
The 24-year-old Rantaa earned a 21-10-11 record with five shutouts, a 1.85 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage in 45 games last season with Assat Pori of the Finnish Elite League. Raanta led the league in goals-against average and save percentage, and ranked fifth in shutouts, while leading his team to the 2013 SM-liiga championship. The Rauma, Finland, native was named to the league’s all-star team, and was honoured as the best goaltender, as well as the most valuable player of the regular season and playoffs.
Rantaa posted a 4-3 record with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage for Team Finland in the 2013 IIHF world championship, completing his breakout season.
The Blackhawks’ current No. 2 netminder, Ray Emery (17-1-0), is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5, when his one-year, $1.15-million deal will expire.
The Blackhawks were just one of several teams reportedly interested in acquiring Raanta for 2013-14. The Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets were also rumoured to be in the hunt.
Watch: Antti Raanta highlights, 2011-13
