Michael Leighton

Position: Goaltender

Height, weight: 6-3, 186

Age: 29 Birthdate: May 19, 1981

Hometown: Born in Petrolia, Ontario, grew up in LaSalle, Ontario

Years pro: 6

How acquired: Claimed off waivers on Dec. 15, 2009

This year: Leighton's roller-coaster 2009-10 season is at its peak right now as he posted three shutouts against Montreal to lead the Flyers into the Stanley Cup finals. Leighton (6-1) leads all playoff netminders with a 1.45 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage since he replaced Brian Boucher in net in Game 5 against Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Hard to fathom he's in this position when you consider he didn't even have a team midway through December and he has had to overcome a high ankle sprain injury as well. During the regular season, he went a combined 17-9-2 in 34 games.

Career: Leighton has never had any stability. During his career, he has made stops with seven NHL organizations and played for five AHL teams. His career NHL record is 34-40-4 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.

Defying the odds: It's not like he isn't used to it. Leighton was a sixth-round draft pick of the Blackhawks - the same team he will face in the finals - in 1999. The journeyman will be seeking revenge against the team for which he began his career. He played 42 games with Chicago over parts of three seasons.

Pay the man: Leighton made $600,000 this season and he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. "I think we certainly have to talk to him about being a part of our future plans," Comcast-Spectator chief operating officer Peter Luukko said Wednesday. "He has done an incredible job."

- Mike Mazzeo