Curtis McElhinney is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on May 23, 1983, in London, Ontario, Canada, and began his hockey career playing for the OHL's Barrie Colts.
McElhinney was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Flames in 2007, but spent most of his time in the AHL with the Quad City Flames. In 2009, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he played in a backup role for two seasons.
In 2011, McElhinney signed with the Ottawa Senators, but was primarily used as a backup goaltender. He was then claimed off waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2013, where he played in a backup role for two seasons.
In 2015, McElhinney signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played in a backup role for three seasons. During his time with the Maple Leafs, he also played for the AHL's Toronto Marlies, helping them win the Calder Cup in 2018.
In 2018, McElhinney signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he played in a backup role for two seasons. During the 2019-2020 season, he played a crucial role in the Hurricanes' playoff run, filling in for the injured starting goaltender and helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
After the 2020-2021 season, McElhinney became an unrestricted free agent and announced his retirement from professional hockey on September 1, 2021. Over the course of his NHL career, he played in 243 games, earning a record of 82-82-18 with a 2.82 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
Off the ice, McElhinney was known for his work ethic and professionalism. He was a respected teammate and mentor to younger players, and was often praised for his positive attitude and leadership qualities.
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