Ty Conklin

Ty Conklin (born March 30, 1976, Phoenix, AZ; grew up in Anchorage, AK) is a goaltender with the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins. He went undrafted, despite repeated honours in the United States Hockey League as a member of the Green Bay Gamblers and the NCAA, while playing for the University of New Hampshire.

He was signed by the Oilers in the summer of 2001 to challenge for the backup role. He spent the bulk of his time with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the then-shared American Hockey League affiliate for the Oilers and Montreal Canadiens. In the 2003/04 season, he spent the entire year in the NHL as first the back-up to Tommy Salo, and then the joint starter with Jussi Markkanen following Salo's trade to the Colorado Avalanche. During the NHL lockout he played in the German Elite League.

He has also played net for the United States twice at the World Championships. In the 2004 World Championship, he was selected as best goaltender.

Following the lockout, Conklin entered the new season as Edmonton's probable starting goaltender, backed up by Jussi Markkanen. Given the prevalent idea that either goaltender could assume the starting job, local media began using the nickname "Conkkanen" (which likely originated on internet message boards) to describe Edmonton's starting goaltender. However, during the 2005-06 season, both goaltenders proved to be ineffective, forcing the Oilers' General Manager Kevin Lowe to acquire Dwayne Roloson from the Minnesota Wild.

Conklin has participated in both of the NHL's regular-season outdoor games. He was the goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers when they lost 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003. He was also the goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their 2-1 Shootout win against the Buffalo Sabres in the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 1st, 2008.

2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
In the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Conklin was called in to play in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals in relief of an injured Dwayne Roloson. Late in the third period, he (and former Oiler Jason Smith) committed a blunder that gave the Hurricanes an easy empty-netted goal that cost the Oilers the game. Conklin did not return to the ice again as an Oiler as his team option for the 2006-07 NHL season was subsequently declined. 

Post-Edmonton career
Conklin was subsequently signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was expected to compete for the Blue Jackets' backup goaltending position, however coach Gerard Gallant opted to go with internationally-experienced Fredrik Norrena. Conklin was subsequently waived and sent to the American Hockey League. An injury to Blue Jackets' starter Pascal Leclaire prompted the team to recall Conklin to the NHL on December 11, 2006.

On February 27, 2007, Conklin was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres for a 5th round draft pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Conklin in his first start with the Sabres made 42 saves in a win over the Panthers. 

On July 18, 2007 Conklin was signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a $500,000, one-year contract. He is currently 7-0 with the Penguins in the 07-08 season.