Hawkey Named 2013-14 USHL Goaltender of the Year
May 9, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - As determined by a league-wide poll of USHL Head Coaches and General Managers, rookie Omaha Lancers goalie Hayden Hawkey was named the 2013-14 United States Hockey League Goaltender of the Year, the team announced Friday. A 6'2", 175 lb. native of Parker, Colorado and a Providence College recruit, Hawkey plans to return to Omaha in 2014-15 for his final junior campaign.
"We're extremely proud for Hayden to be named goalie of the year," said Lancers Head Coach and General Manager Brian Kaufman on Friday. "He took full advantage of every opportunity he was given this year and was a big reason for our success this season." In 33 games played in the regular season, Hawkey posted a 22-6-3 record and finished the year ranked sixth league-wide in wins, tied for fourth in shutouts (3) and first in both goals-against average (1.99) and save percentage (.926).
"I definitely didn't see this coming," said Hawkey Friday. "It's a huge honor to be recognized for all the hard work.It's a great feeling." Originally selected in the ninth round, 127th overall by the Lancers in the 2013 Phase II USHL Draft, Hawkey won each of his first 12 starts in the USHL and his first eight at Ralston Arena. With his terrific showing in 2013-14, Hawkey became the only goaltender in the USHL's Tier 1 era (2002-present) to finish a season with a sub-2.00 goals-against average and Hawkey's league-best save percentage was the best for a Lancers goaltender since 2002.
Despite his own efforts, Hawkey says, without his teammates, it would have been a very different season. "Without the team we had this year, there's no way I'd be receiving this award," explained Hawkey on Friday. "The D-corps we had and our defensive forwards were huge day in and day out and I couldn't have done any of this without them."
With Friday's announcement, Hawkey became the ninth Lancers goaltender to win the USHL's Goaltender of the Year award, joining the likes of Drew Palmisano (2006-07), Jeff Lerg (2004-05), Dominic Vicari (2002-03), Dan Ellis (1999-2000), Tony Zasowski (1998-99), Mike Correia (1995-96), Aaron Vickar (1994-95) and Bob Petrie (1992-93).
In 2014-15, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 29th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' third campaign at the state-of-the-art Ralston Arena are available now starting at just $12.50 per game! To reserve your seats, contact the Lancers' ticket office today at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or log on to www.lancers.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Omaha Lancers" fan page on Facebook.
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