Former Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Jiri Patera has been placed on waivers twice and claimed both times, first by the Boston Bruins and then by the Vancouver Canucks.
Patera was drafted by the Golden Knights in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL draft. He went on to play four seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights posting a .907SV% and a 2.92GAA in 85 games. During that time he also played in eight NHL games with the Golden Knights recording a .902SV% and a 3.57GAA.
The Golden Knights decided to part ways with the 25-year-old goaltender this past offseason and he went on to sign a two-year, two-way deal with the Canucks.
Patera was placed on waivers by the Canucks less than a week ago and was claimed by the Bruins. At the time the Bruins were unsettled with their goaltender situation after trading Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators and finding difficulties signing their franchise goalie in Jeremy Swayman. The Swayman saga was resolved after he and the Bruins agreed to an eight-year, $8.25M contract extension.
With the contract signed, the Bruins placed Patera back on waivers yesterday and he was claimed again, this time by the club that originally signed him. The final twist is that he is free to be sent down to the AHL without waivers because no other team placed a claim for him. He can now report to the Abbotsford Canucks and play as their goaltender.
With question marks surrounding Thatcher Demko’s health, the Canucks need all the goaltender depth they can get and Patera provides them with a safety blanket if things begin to unravel for them.
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