Once a hated foe and then a cult hero, Tom McCollum is now a Milwaukee Admiral

A career minor-leaguer, Tom McCollum reached cult status last year as an integral part of one of the most compelling human-interest stories of the 2017-'18 hockey season.

His career took another quick twist Tuesday, when the Milwaukee Admirals announced they had signed the longtime Grand Rapids Griffin to a one-year American Hockey League contract.

McCollum became the rare opposing goaltender Admirals fans were reluctant to taunt after he lent his truck to then-Admiral Pierre-Cedric Labrie so the tough guy could drive through a blizzard to get home for the birth of his son, Lionel, on New Year's Eve.

Labrie was later traded, so the two won't be teammates, but nonetheless McCollum stands to be cheered at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena rather than jeered or, at best, tolerated.

McCollum, 28, has played most of the past nine seasons with the Griffins and has compiled an AHL record of 135-107-13, a 2.72 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 281 regular-season games. He has three games of NHL experience, all with Detroit.

Against the Admirals, McCollum is 13-5-2 lifetime with a 2.14 goals-against average and last season allowed just eight goals in five games while going 4-0-1. That included a 29-save performance in a 5-2 victory in January in his first start against the Admirals in Milwaukee after coming to Labrie's aid.

Anders Lindback, the Admirals' primary goaltender last season, is not expected to re-sign. Brookfield native Troy Groesnick, obtained in a trade in March, has one year remaining on his contract.