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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1981)}}
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Michael Leighton
| image = Michael Leighton
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Leighton in 2016
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|5|19}}
| birth_place = [[Petrolia, Ontario|Petrolia]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
Line 24 ⟶ 26:
==Playing career==
Leighton grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of [[Petrolia, Ontario]], for the Petrolia Oilers of the
Leighton began impressing scouts while playing for the
[[File:Leighton-Ducks.jpg|thumb|left|Leighton with Anaheim during the 2006–07 pre-season]]
The Flyers placed him on a ten-game conditioning stint with the [[Philadelphia Phantoms]], but recalled him early as [[Robert Esche]] was injured.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=435651 | title = Looking Up | publisher = Philadelphia Flyers | date = 2007-02-06 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> Leighton backed
Leighton was the Hurricanes' backup goaltender, behind [[Cam Ward]], during the 2008–09 season. He appeared in 19 regular season games but did not play in the playoffs, when the Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. In November 2009, Ward suffered a leg injury which caused him to miss more than a month of play; during that time, the team signed veteran [[Manny Legace]], who became the backup when Ward returned. Leighton was then expendable. On December 15, 2009, Leighton was claimed off waivers by the Flyers organization in order to back
[[File:Michael Leighton Flyers.png|thumb|Leighton with the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in 2010]]
After the Winter Classic, Emery returned, and Leighton officially supplanted Boucher as the backup. Emery played his final game in February 2010, however, when he was diagnosed with a genetic hip disorder. Leighton carried the load with some great success, but his regular season came to an end in Nashville in March, forcing Boucher back into the spotlight. On May 10, 2010, Boucher was once again injured in a playoff game against the Bruins. Leighton stepped in for his first ever NHL playoff action to continue Boucher's shutout, with the Flyers ultimately winning 4–0.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=528776 | title = Leighton Inspires Confidence in Finishing Off Shutout | last = Morreale | first = Mike | publisher = NHL.com | date = 2010-05-11 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> At that point, Leighton hadn't even been dressing as he was still recovering from the injury sustained in Nashville, and the Game 5 he relieved Boucher in was his first game dressing since March. Leighton then started and won the next two games, helping the Flyers achieve a feat only 3 other teams in NHL history have been able to ever accomplish ([[1941–42 Toronto Maple Leafs season|1942 Toronto Maple Leafs]], [[1974–75 New York Islanders season|1975 New York Islanders]], and 2014 [[2013–14 Los Angeles Kings season|LA Kings]]) to come back from an 3-0 deficit and win a series.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529256 | title = Leighton Personifies Flyers' Rally by Hanging Tough | last = Compton | first = Brian | publisher = NHL.com | date = 2010-05-15 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref>▼
▲After the Winter Classic, Emery returned, and Leighton officially supplanted Boucher as the backup. Emery played his final game in February 2010, however, when he was diagnosed with a genetic hip disorder. Leighton carried the load with some great success, but his regular season came to an end in Nashville in March, forcing Boucher back into the spotlight. On May 10, 2010, Boucher was once again injured in a playoff game against the Bruins. Leighton stepped in for his first ever NHL playoff action to continue Boucher's shutout, with the Flyers ultimately winning 4–0.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=528776 | title = Leighton Inspires Confidence in Finishing Off Shutout | last = Morreale | first = Mike | publisher = NHL.com | date = 2010-05-11 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> At that point, Leighton
In the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens, Leighton allowed only seven goals in five games, posting three shutouts as the seventh-seeded Flyers advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals against his former team, the [[Chicago Blackhawks]]. Leighton started all six games of the Final series, though Boucher finished Game One, a 6–5 Blackhawks win, and Game Five, a 7–4 Blackhawks win. Boucher was the losing goalie of record in both games. Leighton struggled in the finals, posting a goals against average of 3.96 and a save percentage of 0.876 as Chicago defeated Philadelphia four games to two, ending with an overtime goal by [[Patrick Kane]].{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}▼
▲In the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens, Leighton allowed only seven goals in five games, posting three shutouts as the seventh-seeded Flyers advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals against his former team, the [[Chicago Blackhawks]]. Leighton started all six games of the Final series, though Boucher finished Game
Leighton re-signed with the Flyers with a two-year deal on June 30, 2010, one day before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533308 | title = Flyers, Leighton agree to two-year contract | publisher = Philadelphia Flyers | date = 2010-07-01 | accessdate = 2010-07-01}}</ref> with the intention of making him the Flyers official starting goaltender after Emery was not retained. On October 8, 2010, it was reported Leighton would have back surgery.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5663124 | title = Michael Leighton needs back surgery | publisher = ESPN | date = 2010-10-08}}</ref> He was expected to miss six to eight weeks. He finally made his {{nhly|2010}} debut on December 30, earning the win, but allowing 4 goals at the [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles]]. However, in his absence, rookie [[Sergei Bobrovsky]] and [[Brian Boucher]] had played well, creating a rare 3-way goaltending competition in the Flyers crease.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}▼
▲
On January 3, 2011, the three-way goalie competition was solved as GM [[Paul Holmgren]] reported Leighton was placed on waivers.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=548259 | title = Flyers Waive Leighton | author = Joe Siville | publisher = philadelphiaflyers.com | date = 2011-01-03 | accessdate = 2011-01-05}}</ref> Leighton cleared waivers the next day and was assigned to the [[Adirondack Phantoms]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.csnphilly.com/01/04/11/Leighton-clears-waivers-heads-to-the-Pha/landing_flyers.html?blockID=384758&feedID=704 | title = Leighton clears waivers, heads to the Phantoms | author = Tim Panaccio | publisher = CSNPhilly.com | date = 2011-01-04 | accessdate = 2011-01-05 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://archive.is/20130120062204/http://www.csnphilly.com/01/04/11/Leighton-clears-waivers-heads-to-the-Pha/landing_flyers.html?blockID=384758&feedID=704 | archivedate = 2013-01-20 }}</ref> Three months later he was placed on re-entry waivers<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.csnphilly.com/04/05/11/Flyers-recall-Leighton-Bobrovsky-is-play/landing_flyers.html?blockID=497792&feedID=704 | title = Flyers recall Leighton; Bobrovsky is playoff starter | author = Tim Panaccio and Sarah Baicker | publisher = CSNPhilly.com | date = 2011-04-05 | accessdate = 2011-04-06 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://archive.is/20120914110910/http://www.csnphilly.com/04/05/11/Flyers-recall-Leighton-Bobrovsky-is-play/landing_flyers.html?blockID=497792&feedID=704 | archivedate = 2012-09-14 }}</ref> and after clearing, re-joined the Flyers.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.csnphilly.com/04/06/11/Leighton-clears-waivers-will-join-Flyers/landing.html?blockID=498495&feedID=704 | title = Leighton clears waivers, will join Flyers Thursday | author = Tim Panaccio | publisher = CSNPhilly.com | date = 2011-04-06 | accessdate = 2011-04-06 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://archive.is/20120728000514/http://www.csnphilly.com/04/06/11/Leighton-clears-waivers-will-join-Flyers/landing.html?blockID=498495&feedID=704 | archivedate = 2012-07-28 }}</ref> Leighton played in two playoff games.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}▼
▲On January 3, 2011, the three-way
After spending the entire [[2011–12 AHL season|2011–12]] season with the Phantoms, Leighton re-signed with the Flyers with a one-year contract on July 1, 2012 and was slotted to serve as [[Ilya Bryzgalov]]'s backup.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636750 | title = Flyers re-sign (G) Michael Leighton | publisher = philadelphiaflyers.com | date = 2012-07-01 | accessdate = 2012-07-02}}</ref> After playing in just one game for the Flyers during the {{NHL Year|2012}} season, he was traded at the trade deadline to the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] along with a [[2015 NHL Entry Draft|2015]] third-round draft pick for [[Steve Mason (ice hockey)|Steve Mason]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Flyers acquire Steve Mason from Columbus; Adam Hall from Tampa Bay|url=http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=664045|publisher=[[Philadelphia Flyers]]|date=April 3, 2013|accessdate=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Leighton served as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup for the remainder of the season, but he did not see any time on the ice for the Blue Jackets. An unrestricted free agent following the season, Leighton signed a one-year contract with [[HC Donbass|Donbass]] of the [[Kontinental Hockey League]] on August 19, 2013.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}▼
▲After spending the entire [[2011–12 AHL season|2011–12
On May 28, 2014, he signed a one-year deal with KHL club [[HC Sochi|Sochi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rsport.ru/hockey/20140527/748679286.html|script-title=ru:Сочинский клуб КХЛ пополнился двумя канадскими хоккеистами|language=Russian | publisher=RSport.com|date=2014-05-27}}</ref> Leighton's contract was subsequently voided after an illness prevented him from attending training camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/28/ex-nhler-leightons-khl-contract-voided-due-to-illness/|title=Ex-NHLer Leighton's KHL contract voided due to illness|date=2014-07-28}}</ref>▼
▲On May 28, 2014,
On August 18, 2014, he was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with his original club, the Chicago Blackhawks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=728522|title=Blackhawks agree to terms with goaltender Michael Leighton|date=2014-08-18}}</ref> During Blackhawks' training camp, Leighton was assigned, along with centre [[Peter Regin]], to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, after clearing waivers.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-assign-regin-leighton-to-rockford-20141005-story.html|title = Blackhawks assign Regin, Leighton to Rockford|last = Kuc|first = Chris|date = October 5, 2014|work = Chicago Tribune|accessdate = October 5, 2014}}</ref> The Blackhawks recalled Leighton from the IceHogs following an injury to starting goaltender [[Corey Crawford]]. He primarily served as a back-up to [[Scott Darling]]. Leighton made only one relief appearance for the Blackhawks on March 22, 2016, allowing one goal and stopping 17 shots against the [[Dallas Stars]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hine |first=Chris |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-blackhawks-recall-goalie-michael-leighton-20160317-story.html |title=With Corey Crawford day-to-day, Blackhawks call up Michael Leighton |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=2016-03-17 |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref> Leighton remained with the Blackhawks after Crawford returned for the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs]], but was a healthy scratch for all seven of the team's postseason games.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lazerus |first=Mark |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/michael-leighton-split-on-staying-in-rockford-or-being-black-ace/ |title=Michael Leighton torn on staying in Rockford or being Black Ace |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=2016-03-18 |accessdate=2016-10-27 }}</ref>▼
▲On August 18, 2014,
After two seasons within the Blackhawks organization, Leighton left as a free agent and on September 7, 2016, Leighton was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with another former club, the Carolina Hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=892343 | title = Hurricanes, Leighton agree one-year contract | publisher = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = 2016-09-07 | accessdate = 2016-09-07}}</ref>▼
▲After two seasons
On July 1, 2017, Leighton left the Hurricanes to sign a one-year, two-way free agent contract with the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/lightning-sign-goalie-michael-leighton-to-one-year-two-way-contract/c-290250502 | title = Lightning sign Goalie Michael Leighton to one-year, two-way contract | publisher = [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] | date = 2017-07-01 | accessdate = 2017-07-01}}</ref> He was re-assigned to begin the [[2017–18 AHL season|2017–18]] season with AHL affiliate, the [[Syracuse Crunch]]. Added to provide a veteran presence and mentoring role to Connor Ingram, Leighton got off to an average start in winning just 3 of his 9 games.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.syracuse.com/crunch/index.ssf/2017/11/traded_syracuse_crunch_goalie_michael_leighton_i_didnt_think_it_would_come_to_th.html | title = Traded Crunch goalie Michael Leighton: "I didn't think it would come to this" | publisher = [[Syracuse.com]]| date = 2017-11-14 | accessdate = 2017-11-14}}</ref> On November 14, 2017, the Lightning traded Leighton along with [[Tye McGinn]] to the [[Arizona Coyotes]] in exchange for [[Louis Domingue]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Coyotes acquire McGinn, Leighton from Tampa Bay for Domingue |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-acquire-mcginn-leighton-from-tampa-bay-for-domingue/c-292964658|publisher = [[Arizona Coyotes]]|date = 2017-11-14 | accessdate = 2017-11-14}}</ref> With the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, the [[Tucson Roadrunners]], already with three rostered goaltending prospects, Leighton was loaned to the [[Chicago Wolves]] on November 21, 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ahls-all-time-shutouts-leader-joins-wolves/n-5284122 | title = AHL All-Time shutout leader joins Wolves | website = oursportscentral.com | date = 2017-11-21 | accessdate = 2017-11-21}}</ref> Leighton appeared in 5 games with the Wolves, before he was re-assigned to the Roadrunners, on December 14, 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://tucsonroadrunners.com/news/index.html?article_id=725 | title = Coyotes assign Leighton to Coyotes | publisher = [[Tucson Roadrunners]] | date = 2017-12-14 | accessdate = 2017-12-14}}</ref> On December 19, the Coyotes traded Leighton along with a 4th-round pick in [[2019 NHL Entry Draft]] to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in exchange for [[Josh Archibald (ice hockey)|Josh Archibald]], Sean Maguire, and a 6th-round pick in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pens Acquire Goaltender Michael Leighton and 2019 Fourth-Round Draft Pick|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-trade-for-leighton/c-294172860|website=NHL.com|accessdate=December 19, 2017|date=December 19, 2017}}</ref>▼
▲On July 1, 2017, Leighton left the Hurricanes to sign a one-year, two-way free agent contract with the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/lightning-sign-goalie-michael-leighton-to-one-year-two-way-contract/c-290250502 | title = Lightning sign Goalie Michael Leighton to one-year, two-way contract | publisher = [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] | date = 2017-07-01 | accessdate = 2017-07-01}}</ref> He was re-assigned to begin the [[2017–18 AHL season|2017–18 season]]
Leighton entered the [[2018–19 AHL season|2018–19]] season as an un-signed free agent. On November 16, 2018, he continued his professional career in agreeing to a professional try-out contract with the injury hit [[Ontario Reign]] of the AHL, affiliate to the [[Los Angeles Kings]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/reallisa/status/1062831163582992384 | title = Reign sign Leighton to PTO | publisher = [[Twitter]] | date = 2018-11-16 | accessdate = 2018-11-16}}</ref> He appeared in 3 games with the Reign before he was released from his PTO and later signed to another AHL try-out contract with the [[Utica Comets]] on January 15, 2019.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.uticacomets.com/news/detail/comets-sign-michael-leighton-to-pto-release-sakellaropoulos | title = Comets sign Michael Leighton to PTO | publisher = [[Utica Comets]] | date = 2019-01-15 | accessdate = 2019-01-15}}</ref> After collecting 6 wins in his first 7 starts for the Comets, Leighton agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with NHL affiliate, the [[Vancouver Canucks]], for the remainder of the season on February 19, 2019. After clearing waivers the following day he was assigned to continue with the Comets.<ref>{{cite web| title= Canucks sign goaltender Michael Leighton |url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/vancouver-canucks-michael-leighton/c-304982738 |website= [[Vancouver Canucks]] |accessdate=February 20, 2019 |date=February 19, 2019}}</ref>▼
▲Leighton entered the [[2018–19 AHL season|2018–19 season]]
On October 7, 2019, Leighton announced his retirement from professional hockey after 18 seasons.<ref>{{citeweb| url = https://theahl.com/leighton-announces-retirement-after-18-pro-seasons | title = Leighton announces retirement after 18 pro seasons | publisher = [[American Hockey League]] | date = October 7, 2019 | accessdate = October 7, 2019}}</ref>▼
▲On October 7, 2019, Leighton announced his retirement from professional hockey after 18 seasons.<ref>{{
==Personal==
Leighton moved to Sarnia when he was four years old. For the last ten years, Leighton has lived in [[LaSalle, Ontario]], with his wife Jennifer and their three children. All three kids play hockey and Leighton is helping with their teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theobserver.ca/sports/local-sports/leighton-hangs-up-pads-after-record-setting-career|title = Leighton hangs up pads after record-setting career}}</ref>
==Records==
*[[National Hockey League|NHL]] record for most shutouts in one [[Stanley Cup Playoffs]] series: 3, in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals against the [[Montreal Canadiens]] (tied with several other goalies)
*[[Norfolk Admirals (AHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] franchise record for most career regular season wins: 75
*[[Norfolk Admirals (AHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] franchise record for most career regular season shutouts: 18
*First goaltender in [[Chicago Blackhawks]] history to record a shutout in his debut
*Most saves in an [[American Hockey League|AHL]] game: 98
*[[HC
*[[HC
*Played in the second longest game in AHL history, as well as the second longest game in [[Kontinental Hockey League|KHL]] history
*AHL record for most career shutouts: 50
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==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! align="centre" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
Line 202 ⟶ 210:
| 8
| 0
| 2.
| .927
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
Line 434 ⟶ 442:
| 2
| 1.18
| .
|- ALIGN="centre"
| [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
Line 855 ⟶ 863:
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"▼
! 507
! 250
! 186
! 29,471
! 1,692
! .946
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" align="centre" | NHL totals
Line 861 ⟶ 888:
! 43
! 14
!
! 298
! 4
Line 874 ⟶ 901:
! 2.54
! .913
▲|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
▲! colspan="3" align="centre" | KHL totals
▲! 42
▲! 20
▲! 15
▲! 6
▲! 71
▲! 6
▲! 1.74
▲! .933
▲! 8
▲! 2.57
▲! .908
|}
Line 927 ⟶ 935:
==External links==
{{Commons category|Michael Leighton}}
* {{Ice hockey stats
*[http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/leighton.html Michael Leighton's profile at Hockey Goalies]
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jason LaBarbera]] | title = [[Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award]] | years = [[2007–08 AHL season|2007–08]] | after = [[Cory Schneider]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leighton, Michael}}
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[[Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders]]
[[Category:Carolina Hurricanes players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Charlotte Checkers (2010–) players]]
[[Category:Chicago Blackhawks draft picks]]
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[[Category:Windsor Spitfires players]]
[[Category:Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Ukraine]]
|