Fukufuji Named ECHL Rookie of the Month
February 3, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
Bakersfield, Calif. - The ECHL office today announced that Bakersfield Condors goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji is the CCM Vector ECHL Rookie of the Month for January. He becomes the second Condor to win the monthly bid during the 2004-05 campaign.
Fukufuji, 22, began the month with a loss at home against the Las Vegas Wranglers on January 1st, but after that was nearly unbeatable. The Tokyo native reeled off seven straight wins after that, including road victories in Idaho, Trenton, Johnstown and Atlantic City - all winning teams this season. It was the longest winning streak of the season for either Condors goaltenders, and it came to a halt with a strong 39-save effort in an overtime loss to Long Beach at home on January 28th. Fukufuji turned in a 20-save performance for his first professional shutout in North America against Fresno on January 24th.
Fukufuji is 16-5-3 with a goals-against average of 2.49 and a save percentage of .918 in 25 games for Bakersfield. He is fifth in the league in wins and tied for 15th in goals-against average. The Los Angeles Kings drafted Fukufuji in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and assigned him to the Condors after being released from training camp with their American Hockey League affiliate in Manchester. LW Connor James, who is currently on recall to Manchester and also contracted by the Kings, was the other Condor to be select the CCM Vector ECHL Rookie of the Month, getting the nod in October.
The Condors continue their three-game series in Alaska with tonight's game at 8:15 (PST) and Saturday afternoon's 3:05 p.m. (PST) start. The Condors return home to host the Fresno Falcons on Friday, February 11th at 7:00 p.m. That night will feature a free concert after the game from national recording artists Hawk Nelson, courtesy of KKEY-TV 11 and Island Style.
"The Condors Coach's Show" will air tonight one hour later from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (PST) immediately before "Condors Countdown" live from the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Tune in to KGEO AM 1230 to listen in!
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