James Reimer has earned himself an NHL contract.
The New York Rangers have signed the veteran goaltender to a one-year deal, the team announced on Sunday.
Reimer had signed a professional tryout agreement with the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, 10 days ago. He made one appearance for Hartford, a 35-save shutout, to earn himself this NHL opportunity.
The Rangers are trying to bolster goaltending depth in the organization after star netminder Igor Shesterkin was ruled out for the season, and Joonas Korpisalo, who was supposed to be Shesterkin’s backup, is also on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
Reimer should slot in alongside Dylan Garand to form the Rangers' new goaltending tandem.
Reimer played for the Ottawa Senators last season after the team signed him to a one-year deal in January when No. 1 netminder Linus Ullmark was away from the team. He posted a 2.42 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage over 13 starts with Ottawa.
The 38-year-old made his NHL debut in December 2010. In the 16 seasons that followed, he played in 539 regular-season games. He compiled a record of 232-191-67, with a GAA of 2.87 and a save percentage of .909.
A fourth-round pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, Reimer spent his first eight seasons in the pros with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. He then played for the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres before joining the Senators.
The Rangers are now his ninth franchise, tying Cam Talbot's record that was set earlier this season.
