WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have signed David Rittich to a one-year, US$900,000 contract to back up star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Rittich appeared in 17 games with the Nashville Predators in 2021-22, posting a record of 6-3-4 with a 3.57 goals-against average and a .886 save percentage.
The 29-year-old from Jihlava, Czech Republic, has a career record of 70-44-20 with a 2.93 GAA and a .904 save percentage over five seasons with Calgary, Toronto and Nashville.
His best season came with the Flames in 2018-19 when he had a 27-9-5 mark with a 2.61 GAA and a .911 save percentage.
Rittich goes from backing up one workhorse goaltender to another. Nashville's Juuse Saros made 67 appearances last season, while Hellebuyck saw action in 66.
Winnipeg was in need of a backup after Eric Comrie signed a two-year deal with Buffalo.
Comrie was 10-5-1 with a 2.58 GAA and .920 save percentage backing up Hellebuyck last season.
The Jets also signed forward Kevin Stenlund to a one-year, two-way contract with an NHL value of $750,000.
The 25-year-old Swede played three games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22. He also had eight goals and 17 assists in 42 games for the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters.
Columbus selected Stenlund in the second round (58th overall) at the 2015 NHL draft.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2022.
The Canadian Press