Corey Crawford re-signs with Hawks.

 

Crawford, 26, led rookie goaltenders with 33 wins (33-18-6), and ranked eighth in the NHL with a 2.30 goals-against-average last season. He also led all rookies with a .927 save percentage and a 2.21 GAA in seven playoff games.

After the Blackhawks’ season ended with a loss to the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of their first round series, general manager Stan Bowman said re-signing Crawford would be a “top priority.”

“He’s earned the right to be a No. 1 goalie for us and our team loves playing in front of him,” Bowman said on May 3. “He has the right demeanor and right approach. He loves to be in Chicago. He’s clearly a priority for us. It’s nice to know going into next year we are going to have some stability in goal.”

Crawford made $850,000 this season, taking over as the No. 1 goaltender early in the season, when Marty Turco faltered. Crawford became the second Blackhawks goaltender to reach the 30-win plateau since 1994.

Source: ESPNChicago.com

Photo: espn.com