The 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with goaltender and 10-year National Hockey League veteran Marty Turco to a one-year contract.
“Joining the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks is an unbelievable opportunity for me both professionally and personally,” Turco said. “The Blackhawks are a first-class organization in a world-class city and at this point in my career I am excited to be a part of a team that will give me such a good chance to win the Stanley Cup.”
Turco, 34, is second among active NHL goaltenders with a 2.31 career goals-against average (minimum 250 games) and sixth with 262 wins and 40 shutouts in 509 career regular-season games spanning 10 seasons with the Dallas Stars. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native is Dallas’ franchise leader in wins (262), shutouts (40), games played (509) and minutes played (29,064), which includes posting a 22-20-11 record with four shutouts, a 2.72 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 53 regular-season appearances in 2009-10. He is fifth among active NHL netminders with a 2.17 goals-against average during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, racking up a 21-26 record and a .914 save percentage in 47 postseason tilts over five different campaigns.
“Marty is the perfect veteran addition to our tremendous core that is already in place as we look to begin our defense of the Stanley Cup,” Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman said. “He is joining us with the intention of adding a Stanley Cup to his lengthy list of accomplishments over the last decade and we are looking forward to his immediate contributions.”
Turco has played in three NHL All-Star Games (2003, 2004 and 2007), was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2003 and was a member of Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. He recorded at least 30 wins in six consecutive seasons from 2002 to 2009, which includes a career-high 41 in 2005-06. Prior to turning pro, Turco played four seasons at the University of Michigan (CCHA) from 1994 to 1998, leading the club to the Frozen Four each year while capturing two National Championships (1996 and 1998). He holds the NCAA record for most career victories, posting a lifetime 127-28-7 mark for the Wolverines.
Turco was originally selected by the Stars with their fourth choice, 124th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.