Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Who's the Best Player in College Hockey?

Eric Sorenson of ESPN has his mid-season rundown of college hockey. First I realize that ESPN is stationed in Bristol, Connecticut and they have a hard time seeing past Michigan when it comes to college hockey.

Second, I want to be clear,  Michael Garteig is a great goaltender, but is he really the best player in the NCAA?
Best player: Michael Garteig, G, Quinnipiac

Garteig has been a block of granite for the Bobcats in their 17-1-3 start. The senior broke QU records for career wins (62) and longest shutout streak (194 minutes, 49 seconds) so far this season. His goals-against average is 1.35, which is within striking distance of the D-I record of 1.19, held by Maine's Jimmy Howard in 2004.
For comparison sake: Michael Garteig is ranked fifth in the NCAA, Cam Johnson is first overall. Yes, you read that correctly. Johnson leads the nation in goals-against average and save percentage.
Johnson is currently the top ranked goalie in division I college hockey (9-0-1, 1.07 GAA and .957 save percentage). Since returning from injury, Johnson is (8-0-0, 0.50 goals-against average, .981 save percentage).

Yesterday, Johnson was also named the NCHC Player of the Month for December. Today, Johnson was named the Hockey Commissioners’ Association (HCA) National Division I Player of the Month for December.
All things aside, who's the best player in college hockey?

No comments:

Post a Comment