Hatcher on IR, Aubin signed

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed 5’11”, 180-pound goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin to a one-year contract, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

"Jean-Sebastien is a veteran goalie with quality NHL experience,” said Holmgren. “We feel his experience, along with his ability as a goaltender, makes him an ideal fit for our organization."

"I'm happy to come to a great organization like the Flyers,” said Aubin. “I know a lot of the guys on the team. They have a lot of faith in me and it is a really good fit for me to come here.”

Aubin, 31, appeared in 19 regular season games for the Los Angeles Kings during the 2007-08 season, posting a 5-6-1 record and 3.19 goals-against average. He also appeared in 12 AHL games last season, compiling a 6-4-0 record and 2.02 GAA with the Manchester Monarchs and Portland Pirates. He had a 9-3 record and 2.30 GAA in 12 playoff games as Portland advanced to the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals.

In 218 career NHL regular season games over nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1998-99 through 2003-04), the Toronto Maple Leafs (2005-06 and 2006-07) and the Kings (2007-08), Aubin has compiled an 80-83-16 record, 2.93 GAA and seven shutouts. He was originally drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round (76th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren also on Thursday afternoon updated the condition of defenseman Derian Hatcher. Hatcher will begin the year on injured reserve and not be on the ice when training camp begins on Saturday.

"Derian's injury situation is something that has been talked about quite a bit this summer," Holmgren said. "He has been seen by our team doctors a number of times. Today, we are announcing that Derian will not be a player for the start of the season. He will be on the injured reserve list.

"Due to the class and character of Derian, we believe that it is important to continue to let Derian try to make his way back and we will give him as much time as he feels necessary to make a decision, if in fact, a decision is coming in terms of retirement. As of right now he still wants to play. Presently, our doctors don't believe he can. But as I stated, because we are talking about Derian Hatcher and what he has meant to our organization, we feel that allowing him this time to work his way back is the right thing to do. We will see how it goes."