Jeff Glass was one of the most heartwarming stories in the NHL last season, finally making his league debut nearly 14 years after he was drafted. The veteran goaltender was invited to Calgary Flames training camp to fill in while some of the roster went to China, and has now landed another AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies, who lost two potential netminders this week when Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard were claimed off waivers, will likely still give Kasimir Kaskisuo a good number of starts to continue his development.
The Maple Leafs might be betting on a chance to reclaim McElhinney or Pickard when the injured goaltenders in Carolina or Philadelphia return, but for now will have to use Kaskisuo and Glass as a brand new minor league tandem. The Marlies are coming off a Calder Cup win in which they had the league’s best goaltender in Garret Sparks, but after he won the NHL backup job the team will have to try someone else. Glass does have a long history in professional hockey, but the majority of that has come in the KHL where he bounced around for seven seasons.
Once a third-round pick by the Ottawa Senators, he struggled in his 15 games last season for the Blackhawks and registered an .898 save percentage. Still, a 32-year old goaltender making his NHL debut was a great sight and from all accounts Glass has earned it through more than a decade of hard work and dedication. He would need to sign another contract to make it back there this season, but at least he’s found a job with a familiar organization. Glass played two games for the Marlies in 2016-17.