Blackhawks sign Emery for next season

Ray Emery's doggedness in fighting off a potentially career-threatening hip injury last year and then surviving a training camp tryout earned him the title of Blackhawks nominee for the Bill Masterson Trophy.

“That was different,” Emery said of his training camp battle with Alexander Salak for the backup goalie spot. “I haven't had a tryout in 10 years, but I knew I'd get a chance to play somewhere.”

That he did, and Emery's performance earned him a one-year contract extension which was announced by the Blackhawks on Saturday.

Emery, 29, compiled a 15-9-4 record and 2.81 goals-against-average in 34 appearances for the Blackhawks this year. He posted a 10-0-3 record and 2.15 GAA in 16 appearances at the United Center.

Originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Emery is a veteran of 207 career regular-season games over parts of eight NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators (2002-08), Philadelphia Flyers (2009-10), Anaheim Ducks (2010-11) and Blackhawks. The Cayuga, Ontario, native has also posted 20 wins in 36 career appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the Senators run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final.