Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced that the team has signed goaltender Nathan Lieuwen to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Lieuwen (6’5”, 189 lbs., 8/8/91) finished the 2011-12 season ranked third among all Western Hockey League goaltenders with a 2.50 goals against average and ranked fifth with a .914 save percentage. In his second season as the starting goaltender for the Kootenay Ice, Lieuwen went 27-20-6-2 with three shutouts.
In parts of five WHL seasons with Kootenay, Lieuwen posted a regular season record of 85-59-8-7. He backstopped the Ice to a Memorial Cup Championship in 2010-11, earning WHL Playoff MVP honors after going 16-2-1 with a 2.24 goals against average and .923 save percentage.
The Abbortsford, British Columbia native was Buffalo's sixth-round pick (167th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Lieuwen is a remarkable young man of faith. Listen to his testimony. He was raised in a Christian household and he lives a virtuous life today, both on and off the ice. His story is very similar to that of Maple Leafs goalie, James Reimer. He's equal parts competitor and equal parts religious faith.
Look for the Sabres to place Lieuwen in Rochester in 12/13, along with Williamsville native David Leggio. Drew MacIntyre's Rochester days appear to be over now that Lieuwen is signed and sealed.
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The Sabres will have a decision to make on their other sky scraping tender, Connor Knapp, who just completed his impressive four year career at the University of Miami of Ohio.
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Of Lieuwen and Knapp, I saw each goalie up close and personal last Summer at the Sabres rookie/prospect camp at Niagara University. We're talking about two towers of power. two tremendously gifted, agile, and athletic goaltenders.
I like Lieuwen to challenge for Buffalo's back up job in 2013/14.He's THAT good!
Buffalo may consider trading Jhonas Enroth this Summer, in a deal that can fetch Buffalo a pure #1 centre.
Imagine a deal of Enroth, Roy, and a first round pick in 2012 to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jordan Staal.
Brent Johnson is not the answer as the back-up to MA Fleury in Da Burgh. They need to upgrade their net with a proven commodity.
In case you missed it, here's the Alex Ovechkin charge on Dan Girardi that has the hockey world abuzz right now. Ovechkin clearly leaves his feet to drill the Ranger Dman in the head with an intentional high hit.
Ovechkin was assessed a charging minor for his jackassery, however, the Rangers feel like he deserved more of a penalty. Preliminary word out of the league office is that Sheriff Shanahan will NOT be reviewing the Ovechkin hit. For what reason, I don't know. Didn't Raffi Torres waste Marian Hossa with a similar hit in round one?
The hit occurred midway through period two. Ovechkin only received a minor penalty. Were he give a five or more, the Rangers certainly could have taken advantage of the matter with their power play. No such luck for Ranger fans who feel that their team was screwed by a chinsy call by the on ice officials.
After Game 4, Dan Girardi took the high road in describing the blatant head hit.
You know that John Tortarella is spitting mad right now, however, he had to bit his tongue rather than lambaste the referee's call on the ice on the Ovechkin hit. Torts has already been fined $50,000 ($30K and $20K, respectively) by the NHL in the past month for his criticism of the league's officiating practices, and lack thereof.
thanks, rangers.com
Ovechkin's take on the questionable hit to Girardi's head?
“In the head? No,” said Ovechkin, who appeared stunned that he was questioned about the hit after the game.
“I think it was the shoulder.”
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Rest In Peace, Adam Yauch,
I'll never forget the first time that I dropped the needle on the vinyl "License To Ill" at my college radio station. The phones melted from the call-in requests.
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