Hockey

Ray Emery re-acquired by Flyers as goalie insurance

The Philadelphia Flyers say they're signing goaltender Ray Emery to a contract for the remainder of the season. The 33-year-old isn't eligible for the playoffs since he signed after the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline.

33-year-old not eligible for post-season

The Flyers on Friday said they’re signing goalie Ray Emery to a contract for the remainder of the season, after he joined the team on a professional tryout agreement earlier in the week. Philadelphia brought in Emery because goalie Michal Neuvirth is out with an unspecified lower-body injury. Emery isn't eligible for the post-season because he signed after the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline. (Tom Mihalek/Associated Press/File)

The Philadelphia Flyers say they're signing goaltender Ray Emery to a contract for the remainder of the season.

The 33-year-old Emery joined the Flyers on a professional tryout agreement earlier in the week. Because he signed after the trade deadline, he's not eligible to play in the playoffs.

Philadelphia brought in Emery as insurance because goalie Michal Neuvirth is out with an unspecified lower-body injury. Starter Steve Mason has played seven consecutive games since Neuvirth was injured, and rookie Anthony Stolarz has yet to make his NHL debut.

The Flyers entered play Friday occupying the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 89 points, two more than Detroit with a game in hand.

Emery is a veteran of 287 NHL games (145-86-28 record with 16 shutouts) and went 10-11-7 with a 3.06 goals-against average and .894 save percentage as the Flyers' backup last season. He bounced around the minors and Europe this season before being invited to join Philadelphia.

AHL stint with Marlies

In early February, Emery's stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs' American Hockey League affiliate ended with his release from a professional tryout.

The Toronto Marlies had signed the 33-year-old from nearby Hamilton on Dec. 18 after injuries to goalies James Reimer and Garret Sparks left the Leafs organization thin at the position.

Emery also spent time earlier in the season with the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, based in California.

In six AHL games this season, he went 3-2-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .888 save percentage.

With files from CBC Sports