In 1996-97, made his North American debut on Oct. 5 at Milwaukee with Michigan,losing in a shootout, 5-4 Was recalled to Dallas for the first time on Nov. 14 Played in his first NHL game on Nov. 20 at Calgary, stopping 25 of 26 shots to earn his first NHL victory Was reassigned to Michigan on Nov. 23 Recalled to Dallas for the second time on Dec. 14, but did not see any action and was reassigned to the K-Wings on Dec. 16 Was recalled to Dallas for the third time on Dec. 31 Earned the second victory of his career on Jan. 3 at Detroit, turning back 38 of 39 shots and earning First Star of the Game honors Played the next night, Jan. 4 at Boston, suffering a 3-2 loss in the game’s final minute Started his third consecutive game on Jan. 8 at home vs. Detroit He stopped 26 of 29 shots for the 6-3 victory, but suffered a groin strain after a goal-mouth collision with Brendan Shanahan Was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 10 and taken off on Jan. 20 He was assigned to Michigan on Jan. 26 Reinjured the groin on Feb. 16 at Milwaukee and missed the next 14 games Was recalled to Dallas for the final time of the season on Mar. 29 Got the start on Mar. 31 at Edmonton and left the game with an injured knee in the first period Had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Apr. 2 and was out the remainder of the regular season and playoffs
