BY: Alex Reed, Jacksonville Icemen
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers, and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack are proud to announce that Francois Brassard of the Jacksonville Icemen is the recipient of the ECHL’s Nick Vitucci Goaltender of the Year Award for 2021-22.
The Goaltender of the Year award is presented annually to the goaltender selected to be the best at his position as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors, and media members.
The award is named in honor of Nick Vitucci, who was part of the first-ever induction class into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008. Vitucci enjoyed a 26-year association with the League, beginning in the inaugural season of 1988-89 when he backstopped the Carolina Thunderbirds to the Riley Cup title, the first of his ECHL-record five championships, and received the Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award.
MORE ON BRASSARD
Last week, Brassard, who was named to the All-ECHL First Team, went 19-9-3 with one shutout in 31 appearances for the Icemen. He led the ECHL with a 2.19 goals-against average and was tied for 11th with a .911 save percentage. Brassard allowed two goals or less in 20 of his 31 appearances.
Under contract to Hartford of the American Hockey League, Brassard has also seen action in three games for the Wolf Pack this season. Overall, he has appeared in 60 career ECHL games with Jacksonville, Wheeling, and Maine posting a record of 30-23-5 with one shutout, a 2.51 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .909.
Nick Vitucci Goaltender of the Year Award Winners
2021-22 Francois Brassard, Jacksonville Icemen
2020-21 Jake Hildebrand, Florida Everblades
2019-20 Tomas Sholl, Idaho Steelheads
2018-19 Michael Houser, Cincinnati Cyclones
2017-18 Parker Milner, South Carolina Stingrays
2016-17 Riley Gill, Allen Americans
2015-16 Josh Robinson, Missouri Mavericks
2014-15 Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays
2013-14 Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays
2012-13 Ryan Zapolski, South Carolina Stingrays
2011-12 Jeff Jakaitis, Gwinnett Gladiators
2010-11 Gerald Coleman, Alaska Aces
2009-10 Todd Ford, South Carolina Stingrays
2008-09 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, Alaska Aces
2007-08 Anton Khudobin, Texas Wildcatters
2006-07 Adam Berkhoel, Dayton Bombers
2005-06 Matt Underhill, Alaska Aces
2004-05 Chris Madden, Florida Everblades/Long Beach Ice Dogs
2003-04 Scott Stirling, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
2002-03 Alfie Michaud, Peoria Rivermen
2001-02 Frederic Cloutier, Louisiana IceGators
2000-01 Scott Stirling, Trenton Titans
1999-00 Jan Lasak, Hampton Roads Admirals
1998-99 Maxime Gingras, Richmond Renegades
1997-98 Nick Vitucci, Toledo Storm
1996-97 Marc Delorme, Louisiana IceGators
1995-96 Alain Morissette, Louisville RiverFrogs
1994-95 Chris Gordon, Huntington Blizzard
1993-94 Cory Cadden, Knoxville Cherokees
The Icemen open the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs tonight for Game 1 of the South Division Semifinals against the Atlanta Gladiators. The following is the complete series schedule:
#2 Atlanta Gladiators vs. #3 Jacksonville Icemen (Best-of Seven Series)
Game 1: Thursday, April 21, Atlanta at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)
Game 2: Friday, April 22, Atlanta at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)
Game 3: Wednesday, April 27, Atlanta at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)
Game 4: Thursday, April 28, Atlanta at Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m. (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena)
Game 5: Sunday, May 1, Jacksonville at Atlanta, 3:00 p.m. (Gas South Arena) **
Game 6: Monday, May 2, Jacksonville at Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. (Gas South Arena) **
Game 7: Wednesday, May 4, Jacksonville at Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. (Gas South Arena) **
**If Necessary
Tickets may be purchased on Ticketmaster, or call the Icemen office at 904-602-7825.
Fans may also catch all Icemen game broadcasts online at www.mixlr.com/jaxicemen and FloHockey.TV.
The 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by Bold City Tattoo.
#WeAreBold
