Former ECHL Goalie of the Year Cloutier signs with IceHogs
September 22, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson announced on Friday that the United Hockey League club has signed goaltender Frederic Cloutier for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Rockford's goaltending tandem is set for the fast approaching campaign, as Cloutier will partner will second-year pro Brenden Cuthbert. Cloutier, a former ECHL Goaltender of the Year ('01-02) and Rookie of the Year ('01-02) brings plenty of American Hockey League experience to Rockford with him. Cloutier played his first three seasons in the Minnesota Wild (NHL) system and the past two campaigns in the New York Islanders (NHL) system.
In five professional seasons, Cloutier has played 36 games in the AHL, and has a record of 10-15-4 with a 2.79 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. Cloutier skated with the Houston Aeros (AHL) during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons and last year played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL). The St. Honore, Quebec native received the most career playing time in the "A" last season in Bridgeport when he played 896 minutes for the Sound Tigers.
"Frederic has outstanding numbers in AA and has certainly proved that he can play in the AHL," said Martinson. "When you combine Nashville prospect Pekka Rinne being out four months and the fact that we loaned our goalies seven times last season to the AHL, it creates an excellent opportunity for our goaltenders."
Cloutier broke into the pros in 2001-02 with the Louisiana IceGators and torched the ECHL as a rookie. During his first season, Cloutier led the coast with a 1.84 GAA and a .945 SPCT. In his first 15 contests, Cloutier went 13-0-2 with five shutout victories. After losing four of five decisions, Cloutier closed out the regular season going 14-1-1 in his last 16 games. The first year goalie also recorded seven shutouts overall for the IceGators.
Last season, the fifth year puck stopper split time between Bridgeport and the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Cloutier will attend Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) training camp, which opens on Sunday. The goalie is one of 11 IceHogs skaters attending AHL camps before coming to Rockford on Monday, Oct. 2 for the beginning of IceHogs camp.
Other skaters in AHL camps include Jesse Bennefield, Jared Bourassa, Nicolas Corbeil, Matt Gens, Erick Lizon and Steve Yetman with Milwaukee; Brenden Cuthbert, Lee Jacobson and Mike Letizia with the Chicago Wolves and a player not yet announced by the IceHogs is in camp with the Manitoba Moose. Milwaukee's camp also includes winger Robin Big Snake, who is under contract with the Admirals, and defenseman Nathan Lutz, who will sign in Rockford if he doesn't start the season in the AHL.
With the IceHogs training camp just over a week away, the Western Division champs have 17 players signed and announced for the upcoming season. Joining the above mentioned skaters are forwards Francis Belanger, Mike Doyle, Preston Mizzi, Kevin Ulanski and Rob Voltera and defensemen Dan Boeser and Tom Zabkowicz.
Tickets Going On Sale Monday: Individual game tickets go on sale Monday morning. Fans can call (815) 968-5222 beginning at 9 a.m. or can stop down to the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office starting at 10 a.m. to purchase tickets for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets.
Season Tickets Still Available: The Rockford IceHogs wrapped up its most successful campaign in club history in 2005-06 and we want you along for the ride in 2006-07. Season ticket packages are now available for the Hogs' 8th season in Rockford by calling (815) 986-6465. Ticket packages start as low as $95
International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 22, 2006
- Former ECHL Goalie of the Year Cloutier signs with IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
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