Mavericks Re-Sign Reigning ECHL Goalie of the Year
September 28, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL) - Kansas City Mavericks News Release
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Missouri Mavericks announced today that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Josh Robinson on a standard player contract for the 2016-17 season. Robinson had signed with Stjernen in Norway's professional league to begin the 2016-17 season and appeared in two games. Additionally, the Mavericks have agreed to terms with rookie forward Fabrizio Ricci.
"It is great to have a goalie of Josh's caliber back with the Mavericks, said General Manager Brent Thiessen. "We expect to have goalies sent by our affiliate, which will create amazing competition at the position. In order to succeed in this league strength in net is critical, and we will be strong in net."
"We are very excited to have Josh back," said Mavericks head coach John-Scott Dickson. "He is a proven goaltender that can really help this team, not only on the ice but with the younger guys in the locker room."
"Fabrizio is a young, hungry player who is very eager to get to Independence and compete. The work ethic he brings us is something we are really looking forward to," added Dickson.
Robinson, 26, returns to the Mavericks after a record-setting 2015-16 campaign for which he was named ECHL Goalie of the Year and a member of the All-ECHL First Team. His personal 21-game winning streak from Nov. 4 to Feb. 14 broke the ECHL record for the longest winning streak by a goalie. Robinson also established the fourth-best single-season goals-against average in ECHL history at 1.88, and he led the league with a .931 save percentage. Those two marks are also best in Mavericks team history.
"I'm really looking forward to coming back to the Mavs," said Robinson. "Going to Europe didn't work out how I would have liked, but I am thrilled to be back in Kansas City and to get the season rolling. I hope to have another great season as a team here. Our goal is to start right where we left off last season and be the top team in the league."
"And I think John-Scott Dickson will be a great coach to play for. He isn't too far removed from being a player so he knows what we go through day-to-day. Also, his mind and his work ethic are second-to-none," Robinson continued.
In Mavericks history only Shane Owen (35, 2013-14) and Charlie Effinger (32, 2011-12) have won more games in a season than Robinson's 28 in 2015-16. Robinson first came to the Mavericks in 2014-15 after beginning the season in Austria and went 6-10-2 with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. With 34 wins as a Maverick, Robinson only needs eight more to pass Effinger for the most wins by a goaltender in team history.
Robinson is entering his fifth season as a pro having also spent time with Idaho (ECHL), Texas (AHL) and Springfield (AHL). Including his two seasons with the Steelheads, Robinson has totaled a 74-27-8 ECHL record with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
Ricci is a 21-year-old rookie from Toronto who spent last season as an alternate captain with Baie-Comeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. A 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward, Ricci led the Drakkar with 43 points (19g, 24a) over 66 games. He also racked up 76 penalty minutes in his final year of junior hockey.
"I have heard nothing but positive things about the Mavericks organization and coaching staff," said Ricci. "After a hard summer of training I'm excited and ready to bring everything I have to the table day in and day out to help bring as much success to the Mavericks as I can."
Ricci played his first QMJHL season in 2014-15 with Blainville-Boisbriand and finished sixth on the team with 31 points (13g, 18a) over 67 games. His efforts helped the Armada to 41 wins (third most in the league) and a West Division championship.
Robinson and Ricci join Reed Seckel, Radoslav Illo, Samuel Noreau, Shawn Pauly, Rocco Carzo, Dane Fox, Darren Nowick, Kevin Tansey, Yuri Terao, Andrew Courtney, Bryce Aneloski and Dan Correale on the Mavericks' preseason roster.
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