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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
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}}
'''Michael W. Leighton''' (born May 19, 1981) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]]
==Playing career==
Leighton grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of [[Petrolia, Ontario]], for the Petrolia Oilers of the [[Ontario Minor Hockey Association]]'s Bluewater League.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T004&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CA226015317&docType=Article&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=&prodId=SPN.SP04&contentSet=GALE%7CA226015317&searchId=R7&userGroupName=brockport&inPS=true|title=Flyers counting on backup goalie|last=Caldwell|first=David|date=May 10, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 2, 2018}}</ref> He played in the 1995 [[Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament]] with a [[minor ice hockey]] team from [[Lambton County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-02-10|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> At age 16, he played for the Petrolia Jets Jr.B. team of the [[Ontario Hockey Association]]'s [[Western Ontario Hockey League]] before being drafted by the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL)'s [[Windsor Spitfires]] in the third round, 56th overall, of the 1998 OHL Priority Selection.<ref>{{
Leighton began impressing scouts while playing for the Spitfires. Following his rookie season, he was drafted by the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in the sixth round of the [[1999 NHL Entry Draft]] with the 165th overall pick. He played two more seasons in the OHL before signing an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks prior to the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]].<ref>{{
Leighton played two seasons in the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) for the [[Norfolk Admirals (AHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] before making his NHL debut on January 8, 2003. He became the first Blackhawks player to record a [[shutout]] in his debut during a scoreless [[tie (draw)|tie]] against the [[Phoenix Coyotes]]' [[Zac Bierk]]. Bierk also earned his first career shutout, although it was not his NHL debut. It was the first time that two goaltenders in the same game both earned their first career shutouts.<ref>Hockey’s Book of Firsts, p.19, James Duplacey, JG Press, {{ISBN|978-1-57215-037-9}}</ref> Leighton would compete with [[Craig Anderson (ice hockey)|Craig Anderson]] for backup duties with Chicago, having never spent a complete season in the NHL with the team.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
[[File:Leighton-Ducks.jpg|thumb|left|Leighton with Anaheim during the 2006–07 pre-season
Leighton would continue to play in the Blackhawks' organization until October 4, 2005, when he was traded to the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in exchange for [[Milan Bartovič]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=475900 | title = Hawks Trade Leighton; Acquire Bartovic | publisher = Chicago Blackhawks | date = 2005-10-04 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> He did not appear in a game with the Sabres, as he spent [[2005–06 AHL season|the season]] with their AHL affiliate, the [[Rochester Americans]]. Buffalo did not tender him a qualifying offer in the off-season and he became an unrestricted free agent.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=437169 | title = Qualifying Offers Extended | publisher = Buffalo Sabres | date = 2006-06-27 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> On July 13, 2006, Leighton signed as a free agent with the [[Anaheim Ducks]],<ref>{{cite news | url = http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=468758 | title = Ducks Sign Goaltender Michael Leighton | publisher = Anaheim Ducks | date = 2006-07-13 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> and the organization assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the [[Portland Pirates]], following training camp. When both [[Ilya Bryzgalov]] and [[Jean-Sébastien Giguère]] were injured, the Ducks recalled him on November 27 to start. However, he was claimed off waivers by the [[Nashville Predators]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=439024 | title = Preds acquire Leighton on waivers | publisher = Nashville Predators | date = 2006-11-27 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> After appearing in just 20 minutes of one game with the Predators, Leighton was again placed on waivers,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=439063 | title = Predators place Leighton on waivers | publisher = Nashville Predators | date = 2007-01-10 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> and this time was claimed by the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] on January 11, 2007.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=435613 | title = Flyers Claim Goaltender Michael Leighton from Nashville | publisher = Philadelphia Flyers | date = 2007-01-11 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref>
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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-up [[Brian Boucher]] while [[Ray Emery]] recovered from injury.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=509986 | title = Flyers Claim Goaltender Leighton | publisher = Philadelphia Flyers | date = 2009-12-15 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> On December 21, Boucher suffered an injury, and Leighton found himself in a starting role. On December 26, just 11 days after being waived, Leighton returned to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], as the Flyers defeated Carolina 4–3 in a shootout. Leighton earned the start in goal for the Flyers on January 1 at the [[2010 Winter Classic]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=511857 | title = Unheralded Leighton Earns Winter Classic Start | last = McGourty | first = John | publisher = NHL.com | date = 2009-12-31 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref> He performed well on the national stage, but the Flyers ultimately fell to the Boston Bruins 2–1 in overtime.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=512278 | title = Leighton's Arrival Helps Boost Flyers | last = Morreale | first = Mike | publisher = NHL.com | date = 2010-01-04 | accessdate = 2010-05-23}}</ref>
[[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 had not 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 three 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 a 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>
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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 1, a 6–5 Blackhawks win, and Game 5, a 7–4 Blackhawks win. Boucher was the losing goaltender 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}}
On June 30, 2010, Leighton signed a new two-year contract with the Flyers, just 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' starting goaltender after Emery was not retained. On October 8, 2010, it was reported Leighton would have back surgery.<ref>{{cite news | url =
On January 3, 2011, the three-way goaltender competition was resolved after Flyers general manager [[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.
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 back-up.<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 [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], Leighton was traded at the [[NHL trade deadline]] to the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] (along with a third-round pick in the [[2015 NHL Entry Draft]]) in exchange 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 did not see any ice-time. An unrestricted free agent the following the season, on August 19, 2013, Leighton signed a one-year contract with [[HC Donbass]] of the [[Kontinental Hockey League]] (KHL).{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
On May 28, 2014, Leighton signed a one-year contract with [[HC Sochi]] of the KHL.<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
On August 18, 2014, Leighton signed a one-year, two-way contract with the team he began his NHL career with, 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 the Blackhawks' training camp, Leighton was assigned (along with centre [[Peter Regin]]) to Chicago's AHL affiliate, the [[Rockford IceHogs]], after clearing waivers.<ref>{{Cite news|url =
After two seasons with the Blackhawks organization, Leighton left as a free agent. On September 7, 2016, Leighton signed 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>
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 Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate, the [[Syracuse Crunch]]. Added to provide a veteran presence and mentoring role to Connor Ingram, Leighton got off to an average start after winning just three of his nine 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 five 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 fourth-round pick in the [[2019 NHL Entry Draft]]) to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in exchange for [[
Leighton entered the [[2018–19 AHL season|2018–19 season]] as a free agent. On November 16, 2018, he continued his professional career after signing a professional try-out (PTO) contract with the injury-hit [[Ontario Reign]] of the AHL, the top affiliate of 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 three 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 six wins in his first seven 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>
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==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
==Records==
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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 206 ⟶ 210:
| 8
| 0
| 2.
| .927
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
Line 438 ⟶ 442:
| 2
| 1.18
| .
|- ALIGN="centre"
| [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
Line 859 ⟶ 863:
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"▼
! 507
! 250
! 186
! 29,471
! 1,692
! .946
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" align="centre" | NHL totals
Line 865 ⟶ 888:
! 43
! 14
!
! 298
! 4
Line 878 ⟶ 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
|}
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==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]]
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