Gustafson Back In Goal For The Aces
Published on July 25, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Aces signed veteran goaltender Derek Gustafson, who lost just five of his last 35 regular season starts last year, to an ECHL contract for the 2007-08 season.
The 28-year-old Gustafson struggled to a 2-6 start in his first season in Alaska, but went 27-5-3 the rest of the way, including an ECHL Goaltender of the Month award-winning performance in January and five shutouts, one off the league lead. He finished second in the ECHL with a 2.37 goals against average while his 29 victories were bettered by only three other goalies. In Alaska's run to a third consecutive conference final, Gustafson's save percentage rose to .926 as he went 9-6 with two more shutouts, including a 44-save masterpiece in Game Three of the conference semi-finals at Bakersfield, a 1-0 overtime win for the Aces that gave them a stranglehold on the series. In the four-game sweep of the Condors (his third career playoff series victory), Gustafson allowed just three goals while posting an astonishing .977 save percentage.
Gustafson grew up in Gresham, Oregon, and attend St. Lawrence University in upstate New York, carrying the Saints to the 1999 Frozen Four with 72 saves in winning the longest game in NCAA tournament history, 3-2 over Boston University in four overtimes. He signed as a free agent with Minnesota in the NHL in June of 2000 and won a game for the Wild in March of 2001, beating the New York Islanders. He later earned an AHL All-Star Game bid with Minnesota's affiliate in Houston, and was part of the Aeros 2003 Calder Cup winners.
In 2006-07, Alaska became only the third team ever to record consecutive 100-point regular seasons, finishing 49-16-7. The first look at the 2007-08 edition will come at Sullivan Arena October 10-11, with a pair of pre-season games against South Division finalist Texas. Aces season tickets start at only $396 and are now available; please call 258-ACES or visit www.alaskaaces.com for more details. The Aces open next season on the road in Fresno on October 23, while their home opener has been scheduled for Friday, November 2, against American Conference finalist Florida at 7:15 p.m.
DEREK GUSTAFSON'S PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS (Regular Season)
Season Team League GP W L T GAA SPCT
2000-01 Jackson ECHL 7 4 3 0 2.23 .930
2000-01 Cleveland IHL 24 14 7 1 2.74 .906
2000-01 MINNESOTA NHL 4 1 3 0 2.51 .897
2001-02 Houston AHL 38 14 13 6 2.74 .904
2001-02 MINNESOTA NHL 1 0 0 0 0.00 1.000
2002-03 Louisiana ECHL 2 1 1 0 4.07 .895
2002-03 Houston AHL 41 23 14 2 2.82 .891
2003-04 Louisiana ECHL 43 28 14 0 2.09 .927
2004-05 Adirondack UHL 57 32 18 6 2.83 .899
2005-06 Providence AHL 10 5 3 2 2.28 .916
2005-06 Adirondack UHL 34 24 7 4 2.94 .901
2006-07 Alaska ECHL 43 29 11 3 2.37 .918
ECHL Stories from July 25, 2007
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