Jeff Jakaitis Earns Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award; Ties ECHL Record
April 17, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL) - South Carolina Stingrays News Release
North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, along with the ECHL, announced today that goaltender Jeff Jakaitis has been named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year for the 2013-14 season. The award marks the second consecutive season a Stingrays goaltender has claimed the highest individual honor and the third time in the last five campaigns.
Jakaitis, who was named to the All-ECHL First Team last week, finished third in the league with 24 wins and .924 save percentage, fifth with a 2.16 goals-against average and tied for sixth with three shutouts. Overall, the Rochester, Minnesota, native held a 24-12-1-2 record in 40 games and was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month in October and December, setting a new league record with four monthly awards in his career. Jakaitis allowed two goals or less in 28 of his 40 appearances this season. The ECHL Goaltender of the Year selection is Jakaitis' second in his career, receiving the honor as a member of the Gwinnett Gladiators in 2011-12 and joins Scott Stirling (2000-01, 2003-04) as the only two-time winners in the award's history. Last week, he was also awarded the Stingrays' Jerry Zucker Community Service Award for the 2013-14 season.
"We are incredibly happy for Jeff Jakaits," said Stingrays Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Spencer Carbery. "He wishes he could be on the ice helping the team win games right now and the team always comes first with him. This award is well deserved for how much he gave this team this season."
The award is the Stingrays' third in team history, tying an ECHL record. Ryan Zapolski won the honor last season and Todd Ford earned the top spot for the 2009-10 season. The Stingrays share the record with the Alaska Aces, who won in 2010-11, 2008-09 and 2005-06.
Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award Winners
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 Stingrays kick off the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs and the #rays4thecup with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Wheeling Nailers tomorrow, Friday, April 18 at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum. Game 2 is Saturday, April 19. Tickets are on sale NOW at the Coliseum Box Office and online at Ticketmaster.com.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 17, 2014
- Solar Bears Drop Playoff Opener to Cincinnati - Orlando Solar Bears
- Royals Fall in Game One on Late-Game Tie-Breaking GWG by Fort Wayne, 2-1 - Reading Royals
- Cyclones Claim Series Opener over Orlando, 4-2 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Walleye Attendance Tops 200,000 For Fifth Consecutive Year - Toledo Walleye
- Matczak Returns to K-Wings for Playoffs - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - April 17 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Cincinnati - April 17 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Hat Trick Playoff Packs Are Ready to Reign - Ontario Reign
- Jeff Jakaitis Earns Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award; Ties ECHL Record - South Carolina Stingrays
- South Carolina's Jakaitis Named Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Year - ECHL
- Cyclones Playoff Game Preview - Cincinnati at Orlando - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Gudlevskis Named MeiGray Group ECHL Alumnus of the Month - ECHL
- ECHL Today - April 17 - ECHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.