SUNRISE, Fla. -- Ed Belfour, whose 457 victories rank second on the NHL list, signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday and will likely serve as the backup goalie to newly acquired Alex Auld.
The 41-year-old Belfour spent the last three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and went 22-22 with a 3.29 goals against average during the 2005-06 campaign. The five-time All-Star helped lead the Dallas Stars to the 1999 Stanley Cup championship.
Belfour, who also had stints with the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks, is 457-303-115 with a 2.48 GAA in 905 career games. Only Patrick Roy, with 551 victories, has won more NHL games in goal.
"Ed's wealth of playing experience will be an added asset for our organization," Panthers general manager Mike Keenan said.
Belfour won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie in 1991 and 1993 and posted the NHL's best GAA in four seasons.
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| Ed Belfour's 457 career wins place him second on the all-time list. Patrick Roy is first (551). (Getty Images) |
Belfour will probably spend most of next season backing up Auld, acquired last month by Florida in the deal that sent former No. 1 goalie Roberto Luongo to the Vancouver Canucks.
Belfour has 75 regular-season shutouts, and is fourth on the career playoff list with 88 victories. His 14 postseason shutouts are the fifth most in NHL history.
During his rookie of the year season of 1990-91, Belfour led the league with 74 games played, 43 wins, 4,127 minutes and a 2.47 GAA.
Belfour also won a gold medal playing for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
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