The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed a rookie European netminder for the second year in a row as Brian Burke has signed Finnish keeper Jussi Rynnas. The Leafs GM had made a trip to Finland over the last few weeks with assistant Dave Nonis to meet the Finn and then made another unexpected visit to the keeper in Montreal as he was touring NHL cities last week. The soon to be 23 year old keeper was considered to be the best available goalie in Europe this season, which makes Burke, two for two the past couple of seasons after acquiring Jonas Gustavsson last off season. Rynnas played 31 games for Finnish club Assat Pori where he posted a .929 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average. There has been no official announcement from the Leafs on contract but it is rumoured to be a 3 year entry level contract and Rynnas should start the season with the Toronto Marlies next season. Francois Allaire is said to have been a major influence in Rynnas signing with the Leafs, as he is regarded as the best goalie coach in the world at the moment.
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