Michael Leighton

Michael W. Leighton (born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes.\n', ' Leighton grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of Petrolia, Ontario for the Petrolia Oilers of the OMHA Bluewater League He played in the 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Lambton County. At age 16, he played for the Petrolia Jets Jr.B. team of the OHA\'s Western Ontario Hockey League before being drafted by the Windsor Spitfires in the 3rd round (56th overall) in the 1998 OHL Priority Selection.[citation needed]\n', ' Leighton began impressing scouts while playing for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League. Following his rookie season, he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft with the 165th overall pick. He played two more seasons in the OHL before signing an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks prior to the 2001–02 AHL season.[citation needed]\n', '