Hawks re-sign McCarthy, Anderson

[IlliniKrush]

Now if only Sutter would play McCarthy when healthy and not abuse him when he's trying to come back from injury...

 

Blackhawks Re-Sign McCarthy, Anderson

 

July 30, 2004

 

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have re-signed defenseman Steve McCarthy to a two-year deal and goaltender Craig Anderson to a one-year deal.

 

McCarthy, 23, was the Blackhawks' 1st round pick (23rd overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He will be entering his fifth season as a member of the Blackhawks.

 

Last season, McCarthy appeared in 19 of the first 22 games for the Blackhawks before suffering a groin injury that sidelined him for 54 games. McCarthy returned to the lineup to play the final six games. Overall last season, he appeared in 25 games scoring a goal and four points with eight penalty minutes.

 

In his NHL career, McCarthy has played in 134 games scoring three goals while adding 13 assists for 16 points with 45 penalty minutes. He had the distinction of recording his first NHL point with an assist in his first NHL game on his first NHL shift back on October 4, 1999, at San Jose.

 

Anderson, 23, was the Blackhawks' 3rd round pick (73rd overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Anderson had re-entered the draft after having been chosen in the 3rd round by the Calgary Flames two years prior.

 

Last season, Anderson split time between the Blackhawks and the Norfolk Admirals in the American Hockey League. In 21 games for the Blackhawks, Anderson posted a record of 6-14-0 with one shutout, a 2.84 goals against average, and a .905 save percentage. He has a career mark of 6-17-2 with one shutout, a 3.05 goals against average, and a .897 save percentage.

 

Anderson recorded his first NHL win and his first NHL shutout on the same night defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-0 on January 22 in Columbus. He stopped a career-high 43 of 44 shots in Toronto on February 3 on his way to a 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs. He recorded a personal career-high three consecutive victories with that win in Toronto followed by a 5-2 win over Nashville on February 11th and a 2-1 overtime win over Boston on February 14.

[BridgeportHeather]

Though he isn't a #1 or #2 blueliner on a contending team, McCarthy definitely should be on THIS squad. There is no reasy for Sutter's shinanigans last season, as he was the hardest working blueliner we had. Thankfully he's resigned.

 

And Anderson is an up-and-coming net minder who should be Tbo's backup, meaning Leighton spends time down in Norfolk. Anderson displayed flashes of brilliance, especially in that game in Toronto, this past season, and I only see even more imporvement on his part.

[EvilJester99]

I am very surprised they resigned Mac. Sutter just didnt seem to care for him very much. Plus working him like a dog and having him get reinjuried. Hopefully he will be fully healed and get good playing time. He is going to be a very good Dman.

[Mathew]

i followed the Kootenay ice very closely in McCarthy's era and he just always seemed to have somethong s***ty happen to him at the worst time. he should be a decent offensive d-man bit he has never ever shown that at the NHL level.