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Atlantic City's Stirling Named ITECH HOCKEY ECHL Goalie of the Year

Published on April 8, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release


PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL announced on Thursday that Scott Stirling of Atlantic City is the 2003-04 ITECH HOCKEY ECHL Goaltender of the Year as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches.

Stirling becomes the first goaltender in league history to be named Goaltender of the Year twice, having earned the honor as a rookie with Trenton in 2000-01 when he was also named Rookie of the Year and All-ECHL First Team.

Named to the All-ECHL First Team for the second time last week, Stirling was 31-13-5 with four shutouts while leading the league with a goals against average of 1.91 and a save percentage of .933 in 49 regular season games. Under contract to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, Stirling surpassed his team record of 24 wins set in 2001-02 and tied the team record for shutouts.

Derek Gustafson of Louisiana (43 gp, 28-14-0, 2.09 GAA, .927 save pct.) finished second in the voting followed by Trevor Koenig of San Diego (53 gp, 27-7-8, 2.17 GAA, .920 save pct.), Brian Eklund of Pensacola (62 gp, 38-17-7, 3.01 GAA, .921 save pct.), and Marc Magliarditi of Las Vegas (48 gp, 29-14-4, 2.35 GAA, .927 save pct.).

Stirling's goals against average of 1.91 is a team record and ties Curtis Sanford of Peoria (2000-01) for the second-lowest goals against average in league history. His save percentage of .933 is a team record and ties Jeff Salajko of Columbus (1997-98) for the third-highest save percentage in league history. Stirling, who won 32 games as a rookie with Trenton, is one of only four goaltenders in ECHL history to win more than 30 games twice.

Returned from a call-up to the AHL on Tuesday, Stirling is 1-0-0 with a goals against average of 0.00 and a 1.000 save percentage with Bridgeport, making 21 saves in a 6-0 win against Albany on April 4. He is also 1-0-0 with a goals against average of 0.00 and a save percentage of 1.000 with Portland after making 21 saves, including two in overtime, of a 1-0 win at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on February 13.

Named to replace injured Arturs Irbe as the starter for the Eastern Conference in the 2004 ECHL All-Star Game, Stirling holds the record for most ECHL All-Star Game appearances and starts by a goaltender. He was named the MVP in 2003 after making 11 saves in the first period of an 8-2 win.

In his fourth professional season, Stirling is 108-39-15 with 13 shutouts, a goals against average of 2.33 and a save percentage of .921 in 169 career regular season ECHL games. In the ECHL postseason, he is 24-11 with a goals against average of 2.15. He helped Atlantic City win the Kelly Cup in 2003 and advance to the Northern Conference Finals in 2002 while helping Trenton advance to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2001. In 13 career regular season games in the AHL, Stirling is 11-2-0 with two shutouts, a goals against average of 2.14 and a save percentage of .922.

The ECHL will announce the recipient of the Sher-Wood ECHL Most Valuable Player award for 2003-04 on Friday, April 9.

ITECH HOCKEY ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award Winners

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

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