THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday that Fort Frances Lakers netminder Nathan Park has been named the SIJHL’s top goaltender award recipient for the 2014-15 season.
Park narrowly edged out fellow top goaltender nominees Tate Sproxton of the Dryden GM Ice Dogs and Greg Harney of the English River Miners for the accolades in voting done by each of the league member clubs.
The 20-year-old native of Edmonton, Alta., led all SIJHL netminders in goals-against average at 1.92. He also paced all stoppers in the league in save percentage at .931 while his three shutouts were also tops among league goalkeepers.
Park was earlier named a CCM first team all-star for his efforts between the pipes for the Lakers.
He becomes the fifth Fort Frances-based netminder to garner SIJHL top goaltender honours in the 14-year history of the SIJHL.
The last to do so was Jameson Shortreed back in 2009-10; a year after Ryan Faragher accomplished the feat in 2008-09.
Rob Hrabec and Dan Hoehne of the then Borderland Thunder took home the award the first two seasons of the SIJHL back in 2001-02 and 2002-03 respectively.
Other former SIJHL top goaltender award winners include current Nashville Predators netminder Carter Hutton.
The following is the list of the all-time SIJHL top goaltender award recipients:
2014-15: Nathan Park, Fort Frances Lakers
2013-14: Eric Mann, Thunder Bay North Stars
2012-13: Gordy Defiel, Minnesota Wilderness
2011-12: Tanner Milliron, Wisconsin Wilderness
2010-11: John McLean, Wisconsin Wilderness
2009-10: Jameson Shortreed, Fort Frances Lakers
2008-09: Ryan Faragher, Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
2007-08: Drew Strandberg, Thunder Bay Bulldogs
2006-07: Kyle Cantlon, Marathon Renegades
2005-06: Carter Hutton, Fort William North Stars
2004-05: Viktor Saari, Fort William North Stars
2003-04: Daniel Beardy, Fort William North Stars
2002-03: Dan Hoehne, Borderland Thunder
2001-02: Rob Hrabec, Borderland Thunder