Former CC goalie Zaba signs with Rangers

After an entire summer spent anticipating free agency, it only took four days for former Colorado College goaltender Matt Zaba to find a home with an NHL organization.

A free agent since Wednesday, Zaba signed a one-year two-way contract with the New York Rangers on Saturday and expects to attend the Rangers’ training camp which begins Sept. 8.

“It’s a huge relief,” said Zaba, from his home in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. “That was really stressful waiting for the phone to ring. I had no control over the situation and it was very hard.”

Zaba, who graduated in May, started for the Tigers for the past two seasons and split time during his freshman and sophomore years.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2003 (eighth round, 231st overall), Zaba knew since mid-July that the Kings would not sign him before the Aug. 15 free agency deadline, confirming doubts that began in April 2006 when the organization replaced general manager Dave Taylor with Dean Lombardi.

With just four goaltender prospects in the Rangers’ system including Zaba, he will be competing for a spot for either the Rangers’ American Hockey League or East Coast Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford (Conn.) Wolf Pack or the Charlotte (N.C.) Checkers, respectively.

The Rangers used their second pick in the 2007 draft to select goaltender Antoine Lafleur, who plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, in the second round (48th overall) and have just two goaltending prospects in the system left from the 2006-07 season, Al Montoya and Chris Holt.