Dekanich to Tend Goal in Columbus
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have agreed to terms with former Colgate goaltender Mark Dekanich on a one-year contract, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced July 1. Dekanich has signed a one-way NHL contract. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.
"We believe the addition of Mark has addressed our organization's needs at the goaltending position," said Howson. Dekanich, 25, was one of the top goaltenders in the American Hockey League in 2010-11, posting a 23-12-2 record with a 2.02 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and four shutouts in 43 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Nashville Predators’ top affiliate. He led the AHL in save percentage, ranked third in goals-against average and was selected to play in the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic.
Nashville's third pick, 146th overall, in the 2006 Entry Draft, he spent the past three seasons in the Predators organization. He made his NHL debut with Nashville on Dec. 18, 2010 vs. the Los Angeles Kings and stopped 22-of-25 shots in 50 minutes of action. He appeared in 122 AHL games with Milwaukee and fashioned a 51-44-16 record, 2.25 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and nine shutouts.
A native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Dekanich (pronounced deh-KAN-ihch) played four seasons at Colgate University (ECAC) from 2004-08. He went 51-44-16 with a 2.25 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and 11 shutouts in 118 career games, concluding his career as the school's all-time leader in games played, saves (3,071), save percentage and shutouts. He was a two-time ECAC All-Star Team selection and as a senior in 2007-08 posted a 18-16-6 record, 2.16 goals-against average and six shutouts, setting school single season marks for games played (41), minutes played (2,389), saves (1,043) and shutouts.
