Canes' Grahame Clears Waivers, Sent to Albany

Carolina recalls goalie Michael Leighton from Albany.

Posted 2:56 a.m. Jan 4, 2008 — Updated 7:33 p.m. Jan 4, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes back-up goalie John Grahame was assigned to a minor league affiliate Friday after clearing waivers, the team announced.

Grahame was expected to join the Albany (N.Y.) River Rats for its American Hockey League game Friday night against the Syracuse Crunch.

The Canes also placed defenseman David Tanabe (concussion) and forwards Matt Cullen (illness) and Scott Walker (knee) on injured reserve. The team recalled goaltender Michael Leighton and forwards Keith Aucoin and Brandon Nolan from Albany.

Grahame, 32, has played two seasons with the Hurricanes. This year, he had a 4-6-1 record with 3.83 goals allowed per game and a save percentage of 88 percent. In his last 8 games in goal, Grahame was 2 and 5 with a no decision.

From Nov. 14 through Dec. 1, he allowed 6, 4 and 8 goals, respectively, in three consecutive losses.

Leighton, 26, has played in 30 games for the River Rats this season, and currently ranks first in the AHL with five shutouts, tied for fourth with 13 wins, fourth with a 2.14 goals-against average and second with a .928 save percentage. Leighton, who is 6 feet 3 and 186 pounds, is in his seventh professional season and has played in 47 NHL games with Chicago, Nashville and Philadelphia, recording a 10-23-10 record, a 3.03 goals-against average and three shutouts.

Aucoin, 29, is being recalled for the second time this season. He played in six games with Carolina earlier and recorded two assists while averaging 6:33 of ice time per game.

Nolan, 24, returns to the Hurricanes after being reassigned to Albany on Dec. 28 following his first career NHL recall.

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