Former Blackhawks goalie signs new contract in Europe
News broke yesterday that former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Raanta has signed a one-year deal with Geneve-Servette HC in the National Swiss league.
This deal has been rumored for the past week or two after Raanta Told the NHS that he would be retiring from the game in North America to seek out a new contract in Europe. The Geneva based club chose to sign him after one of their goaltenders Gauthier Descloux had sustained an injury which will keep him out for quite some time.
It became clear that Raanta's time as an NHL goaltender was coming to an end as his contract ended with the Carolina Hurricanes and the lack of interest around the league was quite apparent.
He also stated to the teams through his agent that he was looking for a full-time role but his stats from last season painted a different picture as he only had a .872 save percentage through 24 games while the Hurricanes have one of the best defensive systems in the NHL.
He was signed by the Blackhawks in 2013 as he was an undrafted free agent. His stat line shows a career record of 139-80-29 with 20 shutouts and holding a goal against average of 2.48 and a save percentage of .915.
He remained with the Blackhawks till 2015, and it became famously known as he was unable to have his name placed on the Stanley Cup after the Blackhawks won because he did not fulfill the minimum requirement of games played it ordered to have his name added.
The Blackhawks did not file an exemption to the rule and he was moved out of the organization that summer. We want to wish him all the best in his new chapter and hopefully it will workout for him with the Swiss league.
Source: Pro Hockey Rumours
Antti Raanta Signs In Switzerland
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24 SEPTEMBRE | 59 ANSWERS Former Blackhawks goalie signs new contract in Europe Do you think Annti Raanta will be seen a good goalie in the league? | ||
| Yes | 47 | 79.7 % |
| No | 12 | 20.3 % |
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