Curtis Joseph

THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs have turned to a familiar face to fill their backup goaltending vacancy.

Curtis Joseph has returned to the Maple Leafs after signing a US$700,000, one-year deal.

The 41-year-old enjoyed his finest seasons in blue and white, twice leading Toronto to the Eastern Conference final between 1998 and 2002.

Joseph broke into tears at a news conference when he announced he was leaving the Leafs to sign with Detroit in July 2002. He returns now to serve as Vesa Toskala's backup.

Joseph sat out most of last season before signing with the Calgary Flames and putting up a 3-2-0 record in nine regular-season appearances. He also got into two playoff games.

The veteran goalie has appeared in 922 NHL games for St. Louis, Edmonton, Toronto, Detroit, Phoenix and Calgary.