The Phoenix Coyotes were busy over the holiday weekend adding depth to their defense. The team signed goaltender Curtis McElhinney and defenseman Tyler Eckford to a one-year (two-way) contracts. Here's more about both players from the team's official press release.
In four NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames, the 6-foot-2, 197 pound McElhinney appeared in 67 games posting a 18-26-4 record with a 3.13 goals against average (GAA) and a .898 save percentage.
In 2010-11, the 28-year-old native of London, Ontario played in a career-high 28 games with the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks posting a record of 9-13-1 with two shutouts, a 2.99 GAA and a .903 SV%.
McElhinney was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the sixth-round (176th overall) in the 2002 Entry Draft.
Last season, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound Eckford played four games with the New Jersey Devils and 37 games with the Albany Devils (AHL), recording 2-10-12 and 12 penalty minutes.
In 2009-10, the 25-year-old native of Vancouver, British Columbia set career highs in goals (8), points (31) and plus/minus (+11) with Lowell (AHL).
Eckford was originally drafted by New Jersey in the seventh-round (217th overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft.