UNIONDALE, N.Y., Sept. 13 -- The New York Islanders filled their need for a veteran presence on defense Wednesday by signing unrestricted free agent Garry Galley to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 37-year-old Galley is a 16-year veteran who spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.
"Galley brings experience, versatility and depth against injuries," said Islanders General Manager Mike Milbury. "He still has some mileage left and he's an excellent skater and competitor."
Last season, Galley was second among Kings' defensemen in scoring with nine goals and 21 assists in70 games. His best season came with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1993-94, when he had 10 goals and established career bests with 60 assists and 70 points.
Galley also has played with Washington, Boston and Buffalo and has 119 goals and 461 assists in 1,093 NHL games. He is the third defensemen acquired by the Islanders in the offseason, joining Kevin Haller and Roman Hamrlik. That trio joins holdovers Kenny Jonsson, Zdeno Chara, Eric Cairns and Mathieu Biron, all of whom are 26 or under.
"Off the team that finished last season pretty well, we have added Hamrlik, Haller and Galley without losing anyone off our roster," Milbury noted. "Thanks to ownership, this is a far cry from any season the team or the fans have had to endure in a long time. Last season, we were building hope. This year, we are building a team."
