USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

Caps off to Croteau

Published on March 20, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa - Hawks netminder Emmett Croteau earned #1 Star recognition in a hostile building Thursday, then again on Saturday; under those circumstances, it's no surprise the veteran was named the United States Hockey League Goaltender of the Week Monday.

The Montreal Canadiens draft pick was in the crease for a pair of Waterloo Black Hawks victories. In the process, Croteau stopped 79 of the 82 shots he faced (a .963 save percentage). It is the second Goaltender of the Week award in his career; the Bonnyville, Alberta native was previously recognized following the final weekend of the 2021/22 regular season last April.

Facing the Fargo Force on Thursday, the Black Hawks never led during regulation, but Croteau kept the visitors close enough to eventually claim a 3-2 shootout win. He made 20 saves in the second period alone and a career-high 42 for the night. His last seven stops came in overtime, and then Croteau turned away two of Fargo's three shootout attempts. The career-best performance was crucial to Waterloo's eight-for-eight penalty-killing effort.

Back between the pipes Saturday, the Hawks staked Croteau to an early lead, eventually pulling away for a 7-1 final. Although the margin of victory was comfortable, Croteau was the busier goaltender. The 19-year-old made 37 more saves. He has now won five of his last six starts, with four of those wins coming on the road.

Croteau's current goals-against average (2.52) and save percentage (.915) are the best marks during his three-season USHL career. They rank fourth and third in the USHL respectively. In 21 appearances, Croteau is 12-9-0, four wins shy of matching his 16 victories from 2021/22.

Earlier this season, Croteau became the 10th junior era Black Hawks goalie to earn 30 career wins. Now 35-31-3, he needs just one more victory to match C.J. Motte for fifth on the organization's wins list.

Last summer, the Montreal Canadiens chose Croteau during the 6th Round of the NHL Draft. That made him the first Black Hawks goaltender to be picked since Jared Moe (Winnipeg Jets) in 2018 and the first player with Waterloo ties to be selected by the Canadiens since Brady Vail in 2012.

Croteau and creasemate Jack Spicer (January 9th) have now each been recognized as USHL Goaltender of the Week this season. In total, a Black Hawk has now won the league's weekly award for his position eight times in 2022/23.

The Black Hawks return home for a pair of games at Young Arena on Friday and Saturday. Waterloo hosts the Des Moines Buccaneers, then the Omaha Lancers. Good seats are available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2023


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