The recent season that ended for goaltender Alexander Salak of TPS Turku was similar to that of Mike Brodeurs with the Rochester Americans, great goalies playing for bad teams.  The Florida Panthers recently signed Salak to a 2yr contract, a goaltender that is called the next Dominik Hasek by many people that have seen him play.

The story of the 2008/2009 season for Salak is one that many Rochester Americans fans can relate to, a bad team that was carried out of last place by excellent goaltending.  TPS Turku built the success they had during the season on the shoulders of Salak, much like the Amerks did when Brodeur arrived.  Both teams still finished near the basement in the standings, but both teams also became teams that opponents knew they could not take lightly.

Salak and Brodeur both carried their teams out of the basement, and both have a dream of playing in the NHL.

I asked Salak what made him sign with the Florida Panthers he said, “It is a dream for everyone, but the dream is not to sign but to play for an NHL team.”

Salak is connected to some well known NHL goaltenders through his goalie [...]Read More