New York, March 15, 2012 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has recalled goaltender Chad Johnson from the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an emergency basis.
Johnson, 25, dressed as Martin Biron’s backup in a 4-2 win on Tuesday vs. Carolina following his recall from Connecticut earlier in the day. He has registered a 20-13-4-5 record, along with a 2.36 goals against average, .922 save percentage and one shutout in 41 games with Connecticut this season. He ranks 12th in the AHL in goals against average, is tied for ninth in the league in save percentage and seventh in wins. Johnson has won three of his last four games with Connecticut, posting a 2.46 goals against average and .928 save percentage over the span. He made 34 saves in a 5-3 win at Manchester on Sunday to post his 20th win of the season, marking the second time in his three AHL seasons he has reached that mark. Johnson has held opponents to two or fewer goals in 25 games this season, including in 10 consecutive games from February 3 vs. Albany to February 28 vs. Worcester. During that stretch in February, he tied his AHL career-high for longest winning streak, winning five consecutive games from February 3 to February 11, and finished the month with a record of 7-2-0-0 with a 1.49 goals against average and .952 save percentage.
The Calgary, Alberta native was acquired by the Rangers from Pittsburgh in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (Andy Bathgate) on June 27, 2009. He was originally selected by Pittsburgh as a fifth round choice, 125th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
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