Goaltending Coach Waite Leaves Blackhawks, Joins Canadiens
CHICAGO (CBS) -- After helping develop two Stanley Cup-winning goalies with the Blackhawks, goaltending coach Stephane Waite is moving on to the Montreal Canadiens.
Waite, who spent 10 seasons with the Blackhawks, helped turn Crawford into one of the league's best goalies over the past three seasons, culminating in the team's 2013 Stanley Cup championship, during which Crawford was arguably their best player. He also helped make Antti Niemi become an elite goalie during the team's 2010 Stanley Cup season.
"We would like to thank Stephane for his 10 years of service with the Blackhawks organization and the quality of work he put in with many goaltenders over that period of time," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said. "We wish him and his family the best in his new position."
Waite helped Crawford and backup Ray Emery become the league's best goaltending duo this season, when they won the Jennings Trophy as the team with the best goals-against average.
Crawford was tied for 5th in the NHL with a .926 save percentage and ranked 4th with a 1.942 GAA during the regular season. He led all playoff goaltenders with a 1.84 playoff GAA, and was 5th among playoff goalies with a .932 save percentage.
Emery compiled a 17-1 record as Crawford's backup during the regular season, ranking 3rd with a 1.935 GAA and ranked 11th in save percentage at .922.
