Florida Panthers‘ 6th year goaltender Chris Driedger(60) was maybe a little unexpectedly signed as back-up late last season as he was tending the cage for affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds.
Before the season was even up, the parent club was liking what they were seeing as he led the AHL with a 2.45 GAA and re-upped him on a 2-year 2-way extension but let him play out the season in the minors.
Recalled just before the 2nd month of the schedule was to get underway, he made his first NHL start.
The very sizable net minder pitched up a shutout in his return after his last disastrous outing in 2016 with Ottawa Senators and has effectively played his way to back-up duties sporting a very user friendly 5-2 record with a 2.35 GAA and .932 SV%.
Not bad for the still young 25-year old, who just last season played 12 games in the ECHL.