NAHL Alumni Update
November 12, 2014
It was another great week for NAHL alumni, but this week the goalies took center stage of those that were recognized across the hockey landscape. Not only did two pick up NCAA honors, but another was recognized in the NHL.
Do you know of an NAHL alum doing something special in the NCAA or in professional hockey? Send us an email and let us know!
Here is a look at those honored this week:
Former Bismarck Bobcats and NAHL goaltender Tommy Burke was named as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week. Burke backstopped Bowling Green to a pair of victories at Alaska, the Falcons' first sweep in Fairbanks since 1995-96. The junior from Chaska, Minn. turned away 62-of-66 shots (.939 save percentage), posting 26 saves in a 3-2 victory Friday evening and a season-high 36 stops in a 3-2 triumph Saturday night. Burke's finest effort came late Saturday, as he protected a one-goal lead by stopping all 17 Nanooks shots in the third period. Burke played in the NAHL from 2010-12.
Former Wenatchee Wild and NAHL goaltender Robert Nichols was named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week. The UConn sophomore goaltender and Dallas native posted his first shutout of the season and third of his career as UConn knocked off No. 3 Boston College, 1-0, Wednesday. In the Huskies home opener at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, Nichols turned away all 35 shots, including a 16-shot barrage in the second period. Nichols came back to make 30 saves Saturday night as the Huskies earned a 4-4 tie at No. 5 Boston University. Nichols played in the NAHL from 2011-13 and shares the NAHL record for most shutouts in one season with 10.
Former Chicago Freeze and NAHL goaltender Craig Anderson was named the #2 Star of the Week in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators netminder went 2-0-1 with a 0.65 goals-against average, .981 save percentage and one shutout to help the Senators (7-4-3, 17 points) gain five out of a possible eight standings points. He made 31 saves, including 16 in the second period, in a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Nov. 4. Anderson then stopped all 35 shots he faced to record his 28th career shutout (and second of the season) in a 3-0 win over the Minnesota Wild Nov. 6. He closed the week by posting 36 saves – and denying five of six shootout attempts – in a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Nov. 8. The 33-year-old Park Ridge, Ill., native is 4-4-2 in eight appearances this season, leading the NHL with a .951 save percentage and ranking fourth with a 1.72 goals-against average. Anderson played in the NAHL during the 1998-99 season.
