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Driscoll Named USA Goalie of the Year

May 22, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL) - Omaha Lancers News Release


Ralston, NE - Lancers goaltender, Zach Driscoll was named USA Goalie of the Year on Tuesday Afternoon. After the regular season, Driscoll was ranked third among all goalies in the USHL.

"I am humbled by USA Hockey's decision to give me this Award," said Zach Driscoll. "Receiving this honor would not have been possible without the opportunity the Omaha Lancers organization, and especially Coach Wilkie gave me this season. Coach and I had a great talk at the beginning of the season, and he knew I wanted the opportunity to prove myself on and off the ice. He gave me that chance and I was fortunate enough to have a good year."

Driscoll finished the regular season playing 38 games with a record of 23-9-1-1. The Apple Valley, MN native led the USHL in shutouts this season with eight, ranked second in save percentage with a .934 and third in goals-against average at 1.90. Driscoll finished his Lancer career being third all-time in recorded shutouts behind Dan Ellis (11), and Marty Magers (10).

Driscoll was the backbone of the Lancers success throughout the season earning back-to-back shutouts in April on the road against the Tri-City Storm and the Des Moines Buccaneers. In the season finale and with a first-round playoff bye on the line, Driscoll pushed the Lancers past Sioux City to secure the bye to play in the second round of the 2018 Clark Cup Playoffs. In addition, Driscoll was also named the USHL Goaltender of the Week honor four times during the season (Nov. 13, Jan. 8, Jan 29, April 9).

Driscoll was an enormous piece to the historic 2017-18 season under first-year Head Coach, David Wilkie, as the Lancers made it to the postseason for the first time in three years. The Minnesotan was named to the USHL Second All-Star Team.

"This is a tremendous honor for a tremendous athlete and person. Zach did an unbelievable job this past season for our hockey team on and off the ice," Head Coach David Wilkie said. "Our entire organization is extremely proud of Zach for receiving this great recognition of his hard work and performance."

Driscoll is the fourth Lancer to receive the award following Drew Palmisano (07-08), Jeff Lerg (04-05), and Dominic Vicari (02-03).

"When you look back at some of the goalies who received the Dave Peterson Award in the past, you can't help but be grateful to even be mentioned in that group of goalies. It's crazy," Driscoll said. "These are all guys I watched and tried to learn from when I was a younger, and still do today. It is a special feeling to be recognized as being worthy of being in that group. It makes me want to work that much harder to earn the recognition USA Hockey has given me."

Other recipients of the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award include NHL Players Jimmy Howard (2001-02), Cory Schneider (2003-04) and John Gibson (2010-11).

Driscoll will return to the ice next season at Bemidji State University (WCHA).

"During this season, I worked hard and focused on the parts of my game that weren't where they needed to be to compete at the next level," Driscoll said. "I feel better prepared for the next level now, and am fortunate and very excited to get that chance with Coach Serratore and Bemidji State this fall."

The recipient of the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award is chosen from the pool of goaltenders who play at the junior level each year. The award, presented by Bauer Hockey, is named in honor of the late Dave Peterson, a passionate leader in goaltender development who twice coached the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.

The Omaha Lancers invite the public to watch the 2018 Lancers Main Camp starting on Tuesday, June 5th. A full itinerary will become available as soon as times are set.


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