*Rangers sign free-agent G Kirk McLean*
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NEW YORK (Ticker) -- In search of a veteran backup for
goaltender Mike Richter, the New York Rangers today signed free
agent Kirk McLean.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

As a backup to Sean Burke with the Florida Panthers, the 
33-year-old McLean posted a 9-10-4 record with a 2.74 
goals-against average in 30 games last season, but the Panthers 
failed to make the playoffs with a 30-34-18 record. 

McLean, who made $2.55 million last season, also has played for 
the Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey 
Devils in his 14-year career, compiling a 230-244-67 record with 
a 3.25 GAA.  He led the Canucks to the Western Conference title 
in 1994, when they lost to the Rangers in seven games in the 
Stanley Cup Finals.

McLean was named to the NHL's Second All-Star team in 1992 and
played in the 1990 and 1992 All-Star Games.

The Rangers were in the market for a backup netminder after 
trading Daniel Cloutier to the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of a 
draft-day trade.  

The signing was another in an active offseason for New York, 
which already inked unrestricted free agents Theo Fleury, Valeri 
Kamensky and Stephane Quintal.

st 07-13-99 17:14 et