Monday, December 17, 2007

Cujo eases into comeback mode


Curtis Joseph who last played an NHL game back in April when he snared his 446th win while working for the Phoenix Coyotes is heading back between the pipes.

Cujo has been announced as the Team Canada goaltender in the upcoming Spengler Cup, to be held once again in Davos, Switzerland an annual tournament that began back in 1923. Joseph got the call after the original starter, former NHL goaltender Sébastien Caron broke his hand and was declared unable to play for Team Canada.

Canada has been in the final in six of the last seven competitions but last won the cup back in 2003. Hockey Canada is hoping that Cujo’s steady if slightly rusty hand will help propel the collection of European playing pros on to the medal round later this month.

For Joseph it’s a chance to tune up a bit and showcase that he may still have a few miles to skate for an NHL team, though he’s limiting any conversations to teams in the Eastern Division due to family concerns.

Should he find a taker for his services upon the completion of his Spengler commitment it would mark his eighteenth season in the NHL and give him a shot to move ahead of Terry Sawchuk who he trails by one win for a tie for fifth place in NHL history.

Canada opens up the tournament on Boxing Day with a match against HC Möller Pardubice, the start of a potential six games in six days should they qualify for the tournament final.

The full Spengler webpage can be found here.

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