Lindros signs one year deal as new Wiarton Willy

WIARTON, July 17 (DELEUTERS) - The Town of Wiarton, Ontario has signed talented but injury-plagued centre Eric Lindros to a one-year contract to serve as the new Wiarton Willy groundhog, replacing the previous Willy who died of natural causes last week.

After a roller-coaster hockey career with three different NHL teams, the 33-year-old Lindros will have few duties under his new contract. Apart from the occasional public appearance, his main assignment will be to emerge from a hole on February 2nd, and declare whether or not he sees his shadow.

Some have questioned whether Lindros' health will permit him to fill this role. "Forget shadow," said one groundhog expert. "If he bumps his head on the way out of the hole, he'll be seeing stars. This was a risky move on Wiarton's part."

Lindros missed 49 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season with a wrist injury, and has been plagued by ailments, including eight concussions, throughout his career.

The financial terms of Lindros's contract have not been released.