Augusta signs goaltender

Augusta Lynx coach David Wilkie believes the season-long search for a No. 1 goaltender has ended with the signing of David Brumby on Wednesday.

Brumby, 27, split time last season with the Columbus Cottonmouths and Pee Dee Pride. He did not re-sign with Pee Dee after Pride coach Davis Payne opted for a younger tandem of third-year pro Ron Vogel and rookie Matt Underhill.

A native of Victoria, British Columbia, Brumby has a career record of 108-96-26 with a 3.14 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 248 pro appearances. Last season, he was 21-25-7 with a 3.11 GAA and .900 save percentage. Brumby also shares the East Coast Hockey League record for shutouts in a season with seven for the Jackson Bandits in 1999-2000.

"David Brumby his whole career has been a No. 1 goalie, and he comes highly recommended," said Wilkie, whose Lynx (7-15-1) have the worst record and second-worst save percentage in the ECHL.

"We've been plagued by inconsistent goaltending all year. We've been waiting for somebody to take the bull by the horns. I think Brumby can be that guy."

While Brumby was scheduled to arrive in Augusta late Wednesday, Wilkie said he probably won't be eligible to play this weekend because of his pending immigration status.

With Wilkie handing Brumby the top job, that leaves Curtis Cruickshank and Geoff Faulkner in a battle to be the backup.

A former Washington Capitals draft pick, Cruickshank signed with the Lynx on Dec. 2 and went 1-1-0 with a 3.50 GAA last weekend. He was solid in Saturday's 3-1 win over Pee Dee but wasn't as sharp in Sunday's 6-2 loss to Greenville. The 23-year-old struggled with rebound control, which led directly to three Grrrowl goals.

Wilkie said there also is a chance Phoenix Coyotes prospect Colin Zulianello will return from Springfield of the American Hockey League before Christmas.

"Whoever performs the best will get (the backup) job," Wilkie said.

ONE TIMERS: Rookie forward Jeff Szwez said Wednesday he will practice for the first time on Monday. Szwez has been out since suffering a concussion Nov. 27 at Jackson. ... Lynx vice president of corporate sales and marketing Sue Russell was a soldier for a day with the 93rd Signal Brigade at Fort Gordon's "Augusta in Army Boots" program on Wednesday. ... Lynx general manager Jim Burton has a fun fan promotion planned for Saturday's game against Columbia - 3-on-3 sumo hockey. Burton arranged to borrow the sumo suits from the Atlanta Thrashers. ... With another solid showing at the gate last weekend, the Lynx have climbed to eighth in the ECHL in attendance, averaging 4,053 fans in 11 games. Five of the seven teams ahead of Augusta play in some of the newest and nicest arenas in the league - Florida (1), Reading (2), South Carolina (3), Greenville (5) and Trenton (6).

Reach Rob Mueller at (706) 823-3425.