8th year net minder John Muse(1) has parlayed some very good play in the two lower leagues into NHL contracts for a 2nd straight season.
He switches affiliations from Philadelphia Flyers‘ system to Pittsburgh Penguins for 2018/2019, but more importantly quickly scored himself a new deal on the opening day of unrestricted free agency.
It was shutting the door on three straight overtime losses for Reading Royals in the 2018 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs that definitely got him some notice, and despite his team not winning he made a junk load of great saves and ultimately put up a 2.05 GAA and a brick wall .945 SV%.
He also owned the league best .931 SV% for his 19-5-2 work with three shutouts between the pipes during the regular season.
The soon-to-turn 30-year old will likely spend most of his time in the AHL with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as back-up but could play himself into a starting role with a string of good wins.
John Muse (40)
3rd year, undrafted goaltender John Muse(40) was selected as the AHL player of the week after posting a pair of perfect games with Charlotte Checkers on loan from Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL.
Irony of ironies, he was signed to a contract with the Checkers for his rookie season after four years at Boston College, where he won 2008 and 2010 NCAA Championships.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. net minder also played more than half his first campaign with Florida Everblades, ultimately helping lead the team to a Kelly Cup Championship.
He was also named Playoff MVP for his outstanding 1.78 GAA and .939 SV% over 13 games to the title.
Carolina Hurricanes took notice and signed him to a 1-year entry level deal but the impending lockout basically derailed any promise of him guarding the cage in the show despite being recalled on one occasion.
In his sophomore season, he spent even more time in Charlotte and Florida but wasn’t retained before ultimately moving on.
Now coming full circle (albeit a small one) he is back where he started, but there could be too many stacked pads for him to steal the starter job or even ride the pine until his next opportunity.
Oh, did we mention the East Falmouth, MA-born native was in Providence Bruins‘ training camp on an invite?
We are still lead to believe that with continued good play the 25-year old with once again find himself signed to an NHL contract.