BOSTON -- Sophomore goaltender
Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Mich.) of the UMass Lowell hockey team was one of two netminders tabbed to the 12-member New England All-Star Team, which was announced on Wednesday morning by the New England Hockey Writers Association.
Hellebuyck will be honored at the annual awards banquet on Wednesday, April 16th at the Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass.
He amassed a 18-9-2 record and a 1.79 GAA and .941 save percentage with six shutouts in his second season at UMass Lowell, starting in 29 of 40 games. His GAA and save percentage ranks first nationally among Division I goaltenders, while his shutout total ranks second in the nation. Hellebuyck was a First-Team All-Star, the Hockey East Tournament MVP, a two-time Hockey East Goaltender of the Month and was named one of five finalists for the inaugural Mike Richter Award, given to the best goaltender in Division I hockey.
Hellebuyck, who won four elimination games during the River Hawks' playoff run, played an integral role in UMass Lowell winning its second consecutive Hockey East Tournament Championship with back-to-back shutouts at the TD Garden against Notre Dame and New Hampshire. He became the first player in Hockey East tournament history to win the MVP award multiple times.
He notched 30+ saves 15 times during the season and allowed two goals or fewer in 19 starts for the River Hawks.
In two seasons with the River Hawks, Hellebuyck has posted a 38-12-2 record in 52 career starts to go along with a 1.60 GAA, .946 save percentage and a school-record 12 shutouts. His save percentage currently ranks first all-time in the Div. I career record book, while his GAA is third best all-time.