Checkers' Westlund Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Saver Of The Week

May 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. - Charlotte goaltender Alex Westlund is the Reebok Hockey ECHL Saver of the Week for the second round of the 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Westlund previously was named Reebok Hockey ECHL Saver of the Week for the week of February 28-March 6.

Westlund rebounded from a 2-1 loss in Game 1 at Gwinnett to post three straight victories over the Gladiators in the American Conference Semifinals. Westlund had 51 saves in regulation and one in overtime of a 4-3 win in Game 2 at Gwinnett and stopped 33 shots in a 4-1 win at home in Game 3. The native of Chatham, N.J. closed out the series with 50 saves in a 4-0 win in Game 4, finishing 3-1 with a goals-against average of 1.50 and a save percentage of .970 in the semifinals. Westlund is 6-3 and leads the postseason in save percentage (.948), minutes (566) and saves (330). He is tied for the postseason lead in wins and tied for second in shutouts (1) while ranking fifth in goals-against average (1.90). During the regular season, Westlund was 27-15-5 with a goals-against average of 2.72 and a save percentage of .911 in 51 games with the Checkers.

The 5-8 and 181-pound Westlund was not drafted by the National Hockey League following a four-year career at Yale University. Westlund holds the Yale career record for victories by a goaltender (42) and in 1998 was the recipient of the Ken Dryden Award presented to the outstanding goaltender of the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

He has played parts of five seasons in the ECHL with Dayton, Toledo, Cincinnati, Trenton and Charlotte while also playing in both the International Hockey League and the American Hockey League and he was a member of the United States team that won a bronze medal at the 2004 IIHF World Championships.

Runners Up: Craig Kowalski, Florida (2-0-0, 0.68 GAA, .971 save pct.) and Peter Aubry, Alaska (3-0-0, 1.33 GAA, .959 save pct.).

Also Nominated: Mike Brodeur (Greenville), Adam Berkhoel (Gwinnett), Barry Brust (Reading), and Andrew Allen (Trenton).

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