Goaltender Vanecek Returned to South Carolina
April 18, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
HERSHEY, Pa. - The Hershey Bears announced today that the organization has reassigned goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. The announcement was made by Bears President/General Manager Doug Yingst.
Vanecek, 20, joined the Chocolate and White on Sunday morning, April 17 and got the start in his first American Hockey League game that same night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He allowed just one goal on 26 shots faced, and went on to deny both Penguins' shootout attempts to garner his first AHL victory.
The native of Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic returns to the Stingrays, who lead their best-of-seven opening round series against the Kalamazoo Wings two games to none. Game Three is slated for tonight in Kalamazoo.
Vanecek orchestrated an outstanding rookie regular season in North America. He posted a record of 18-7-6 in 32 appearances with four shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.03 and save percentage of .917 with the Stingrays, ranking second among all ECHL goaltenders in goals-against average during the regular season and tied for second in shutouts.
Vanecek was recently named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team, and added two league monthly honors: the Warrior Hockey/ECHL Goaltender of the Month of March and the CCM/ECHL Rookie of the Month of November. He brings abundant experience on the international stage, having represented his native Czech Republic at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships held in Finland and the 2015 World Juniors held in Toronto and Montreal. He earned the silver medal at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 World Championships, posting a 4-2-0 record.
Vanecek was selected by the Washington Capitals in the second round (39th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
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