Wild recall former IceGator, 2001-02 ECHL MVP
February 14, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Saint Paul/Minneapolis, MN â Frederic Cloutier, last season's ECHL Most Valuable Player who began the 2002-03 campaign with the Louisiana IceGators, has been recalled by the NHL's Minnesota Wild, the teams announced today. Cloutier will wear No. 29 and is expected to back up Manny Fernandez tonight when the Wild play host to the Phoenix Coyotes. Goalie Dwayne Roloson sprained his ankle Wednesday and is likely out of tonight's contest. If Cloutier were to dress in Saturday's game in Colorado, he would find himself opposite boyhood idol Patrick Roy.
In a corresponding move, the IceGators announced that goaltender Derek Gustafson has rejoined the AHL's Houston Aeros. Louisiana has signed Jody Green to back up Kyle Kettles when it plays Baton Rouge at 7:05 p.m. today.
The 21-year-old Cloutier has been with the Aeros for the past six weeks. Cloutier becomes the third youngest goalie on a current NHL roster. New York Ranger Dan Blackburn is 19 (born May 20, 1983), while New York Islander Rick DiPietro is 21 (born September 19, 1981). Cloutier was ranked No. 2 behind Blackburn coming out of the Canadian junior ranks two years ago but went undrafted. Of all the goaltenders chosen in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, only five have seen action in the NHL.
The St. Honore, Que., native sparkled with the Aeros since being recalled from Louisiana, going 4-1-1 with a 1.91 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in seven games. He yielded two goals or less in each of his first four starts.
Prior to his recall to Houston, the 6-foot, 185-pound Cloutier went 16-6-4 with a 3.04 goals against average and a .899 save percentage with the IceGators.
Last season, Cloutier became the most decorated player in ECHL history, winning MVP, Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. Cloutier, who went 28-5-3 with a league-record 1.84 goals against average and .945 save percentage, was also an All-Star starter and was named to the post-season All-ECHL First Team and the All-Rookie team.
In 69 career games at all levels, Cloutier sports an impressive 48-12-8 mark with a 2.31 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Should Cloutier see action in a game, he would become the fifth IceGator to advance to the NHL. Rob Valicevic, Justin Kurtz, Kyle Freadrich and Evgeny Konstantinov also advanced to the NHL. Konstantinov actually played in the NHL before coming to Louisiana, then went back to the NHL.
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