Coyotes Sign Free Agent Goaltender Niklas Treutle

The Arizona Coyotes announced Wednesday evening that they have signed 24-year-old German goaltender Niklas Treutle to a one-year, entry-level contract.

Treutle was ranked 11th among European goaltenders entering the 2012 draft on the heels of a strong performance for Germany at the 2011 World Juniors Tournament, despite Germany getting relegated.

Last season, playing for Munich EHC in the Deutsche Eisehockey League (DEL) he posted a 20-10-0 record with a .923 Sv%. He’s had consistently strong seasons in the DEL as one of the league’s top goaltenders. While the DEL isn’t the KHL or SHL, Treutle will get a shot at playing for the Springfield Falcons in the AHL with the possibility of growing into a role.

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Arizona’s scouts must have their eye on the DEL, because in June they signed Sudbury-native and 2008 2nd round draft pick (Dallas Stars, #59 overall) Tyler Beskorowany to an AHL contract with Springfield.

While Beskorowany is a Canadian and has spent a lot of time in the AHL and ECHL, he spent last season playing for Düsseldorfer EG in the DEL, where he had a 26-15-0 record with a .923 Sv%.

Beskorowany and Treutle will be competing with Louis Domingue for time in Springfield. The 23-year-old Domingue was a 2010 5th round pick for the Coyotes and played seven NHL games last season, posting a .911 Sv% over that span.

The ‘Yotes also signed goaltender Anders Lindback this summer to serve as backup for Mike Smith.

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