Blues Acquire Turek From Stars

The St. Louis Blues acquired Dallas Stars backup goalie Roman Turek on Sunday in hopes he'll challenge 37-year-old Grant Fuhr for the starting job.

Turek, 29, the backup to Ed Belfour in Dallas, cost the Blues a third-round pick in the Entry Draft. He was 16-3-3 with one shutout and a 2.02 goals-against average last season for the Stanley Cup champions and tied for 10th in the NHL with a .925 save percentage.

Â"We believe Roman has the ability and character to be a No. 1 goaltender, and he'll get the chance to prove that,Â" general manager Larry Pleau said. Â"Roman should be an excellent fit for our club.

Â"His experience playing for a Stanley Cup champion should benefit us next season and into the future.Â"

Fuhr likely will be exposed in the expansion draft on Friday. Pleau said he'd only protect one goalie when he submitted his list Monday, but wouldn't say which one.

Fuhr, who makes $3 million, said he would understand the tactic. In the middle of last season, he announced plans to retire at the end of next season.

Â"Old, high salary, I'd say I'm pretty safe,Â" Fuhr said.

Whatever happens, Pleau said Fuhr has always carried too much of the load in St. Louis.

Â"Right from the start, we never expected him to play 50-60-70 games,Â" Pleau said. Â"We've been looking for a goaltender to take the opportunity and run with it.Â"

The Blues used five goaltenders last season, with many of them receiving auditions when Fuhr was out with a knee injury. Jamie McLennan was the backup most of last season and the team also used rookie Brent Johnson, Rich Parent and Jim Carey.

Â"We've got a load of goalies right now,Â" Pleau said. Â"We'll see what happens the rest of the summer.Â"

Down the line, Pleau believes Johnson, 21, has the ability to be the starter. But Johnson likely will play with Worcester of the American Hockey League next season.

Â"We feel he's got a bright future,Â" Pleau said. Â"We also feel it's important to give him that extra development time.Â"

Turek made his NHL debut in 1996-97 with the Stars, going 3-1 with a 2.05 goals-against average. The following season he was 11-10-1 with a 2.22 goals-against and one shutout.

He also was a member of the Czech Republic team that won the World Cup in 1996.

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