The Pittsburgh Penguins obtained goaltender Jocelyn Thibault from the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Thibault, 30, had spent the past five-plus seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2003-04 he missed significant time following hip surgery and appeared in only 14 games. The veteran went 5-7-2 with a 2.85 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.
Overall, Thibault has appeared in 536 NHL games (514 starts), posting a 227-217-68 record, 2.69 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. Originally selected 10th overall by Quebec in the 1993 Draft, he has also spent time with the Nordiques/Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens.
Thibault, who became expendable when Chicago signed Nikolai Khabibulin, gives the Penguins a veteran presence in net to complement young backstop Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury was picked first overall by the club in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Pittsburgh has been busy this offseason, beginning with the selection of phenom Sidney Crosby with the top pick in last month's draft. The Pens have also added defenseman Sergei Gonchar and forward Zigmund Palffy via free agency.