THE Winnipeg Jets picked up a two-for-one North Shore special Friday, agreeing to free agent contracts with both forward Ben Maxwell and goaltender Mark Dekanich of North Vancouver.
Maxwell, 24, played nine games with the Jets last season, scoring one goal and adding four assists. The six-foot centre spent most of the season with the St. John's IceCaps, Winnipeg's American Hockey League affiliate, where he notched 25 points and 35 penalty minutes in 43 games.
Maxwell has scored two goals and six assists in 47 career NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets and Anaheim Ducks.
Dekanich, 26, joins the Jets after a frustrating year with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Slated to start the 2011-12 season as the team's backup goalie, Dekanich suffered a high ankle sprain before seeing a minute of action with the team. While rehabbing the injury, the Colgate University product missed more time with an injured groin, finally making it back onto the ice only to re-injure his ankle, forcing season-ending surgery.
Dekanich played only five games all season, all with the AHL's Springfield Falcons. His lone NHL appearance came with the Nashville Predators in the 2010-11 season. Through four seasons of AHL play with the Falcons and Milwaukee Admirals, Dekanich has compiled a record of 66-40-6-12 with strong numbers in goalsagainst average and save percentage.
