The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Garret Sparks to a one-year, two-way contract Friday, the club announced.
Sparks is a candidate to back up new No. 1 Frederik Andersen after Jonathan Bernier was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional draft pick.
A seventh-round pick in 2011, Sparks made his NHL debut last season and was instrumental in Toronto finishing last in the league and earning the privilege to draft Auston Matthews first overall.
Sparks started 17 games, finishing with a .893 save percentage and 3.02 goals-against average. His tenure began in fine fashion, with Sparks becoming the first goalie in club history to pitch a shutout in his NHL debut, but it fell apart in March and April.
| Month | Starts | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| November | 1 | 1.00 |
| December | 4 | .895 |
| February | 1 | .929 |
| March | 8 | .883 |
| April | 3 | .871 |
Still young at 23, Sparks had a .928 save percentage in 21 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last season, posting three shutouts.
Sparks will likely start the season on the farm, as head coach Mike Babcock admitted last week that Toronto is looking for a veteran backup to support Andersen.
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