Ferris State Snags Star Rookie Goaltender
Published on March 16, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Indians News Release
(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) The Kewadin Casinos Indians hockey team announces that goaltender Derek MacIntyre (Standwood, MI) has accepted an offer to attend Ferris State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) beginning in the fall.
MacIntyre has exploded onto the scene this season putting together one of the finest campaigns in league history. In 34 league games this season, the 6'-3" netminder has a 30-1-2 record which places him second in the league in wins. He ranks first in the NAHL with a league leading 1.74 goals against average and fourth with a .926 saves percentage. MacIntyre's only loss this season was a 3-0 defeat to the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 squad. He avenged that defeat last weekend in a stellar performance in Ann Arbor earning the win in a 3-2 victory over the same USNTDP Under-18 team.
Coach Joe Shawhan gives sole credit to his rookie goaltender for his accomplishments. "Derek came to our program as an undrafted, untendered prospect. He was aware of the reputation we had with goaltenders and made our team in tryouts. He worked his way into a starting position and I wouldn't be honest if I said that he hasn't been a bit of a surprise."
MacIntyre is certainly a front-runner for many league awards. He should garner considerable attention for league first team all-star, as well as rookie of the year, and league MVP honors. The last Indian's player to receive rookie of the year honors was defenseman Jamie Milam in 2000-01, who is currently playing at Northern Michigan University. The last Indian's player to receive NAHL MVP honors was goaltender Ryan Miller during the 1998-99 season. Miller went on to win the Hobey Baker award while playing at Michigan State in 2000-01 and currently plays for Rochester in the American Hockey League, an affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.
MacIntyre is the fourth Indian's player to make a college commitment this season, joining Derek Punches (Air Force), Stavros Paskaris (Wayne State), and league-leading scorer Logan Bittle (Robert Morris),
The Indians will travel to Toledo for a rare Wednesday game this week scheduled on St. Patrick's Day, which was a late addition to the Indians game schedule. Wednesday's game will broadcast on Talk Radio 1400 AM at 7:30 p.m. The Indians will then return home to play the Youngstown Phantoms this coming Friday and Saturday. Game times are 7:00 p.m. at the Chi Mukwa Community Recreation Center.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2004
- U.S. National Team weekly report - U.S. National Team
- Ferris State Snags Star Rookie Goaltender - Soo Indians
- Dog Pound Weekly - Bozeman Icedogs
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