(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017-18 Meridian Game Saving Goalie Award as voted by the player Membership of the PHPA. 

The PHPA – Meridian Game Saving Goalie Award is presented to one goaltender from the American Hockey League Eastern and Western Conferences and ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences, who is known to consistently make the big save at the biggest moment of the game.  He can steal a win for his team, frustrate opponents, and is regarded as the hardest goaltender to play against.

ECHL Eastern Conference: Mitch Gillam, Worcester Railers

The Peterborough, Ontario native was outstanding in his rookie season for the Worcester Railers, posting an impressive 23-14-2 record with five shutouts in 41 games. On top of his impressive record, Gillam lead all rookie goalies with a 2.15 GAA and a .925 save percentage. The 25-year-old spent four seasons playing at Cornell University where he was twice named to the NCAA All-Ivy League Second Team before making the jump to professional hockey this season.

“It’s great to get recognition from fellow players and goalies around the league,” said Gillam. “There are numerous goalies around the league who could have received this award, so it’s pretty shocking and humbling to have received it myself.”

ECHL Western Conference: Michael Houser, Fort Wayne Komets

In his sixth season split between the ECHL and AHL, the 25-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio had a dominant season for the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.  In 2017-18, Houser posted a 28-11-0 record including an impressive 2.73 GAA and .909 save percentage, helping the Komets to a second-place finish in the Central division.  The OHL’s Goaltender of the Year and Most Outstanding Player in 2012, Houser has never had less than a .900 save percentage throughout his professional career.

“It’s cool to know that guys I play against feel like they’re playing against a good goalie and that guys on my own team feel like they’re playing in front of one too,” said Houser. “We have such a deep team defensively in Fort Wayne, that playing behind those guys helps makes my job much easier.”

AHL Eastern Conference: Garret Sparks, Toronto Marlies

Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Elmhurst, Illinois native led all AHL goalies in wins (31), goals against average (1.79), and save percentage (.936) during the regular season, backstopping the Marlies to a first place overall finish and eventual Calder Cup Championship.  The fifth-year pro has also spent time in the ECHL and NHL, including a 17-game stint with the Leafs in 2015-16 where he posted a shutout in his NHL debut.   

“I think player voted awards definitely speak a lot as to what other players around the league think of you, and I certainly appreciate being recognized and respected by the guys I compete against all year long,” said Sparks. “I like to think I play the game the right way and give the best effort I can every time I’m out there.”   

AHL Western Conference: Michael Hutchinson, Manitoba Moose

The 28-year-old Boston Bruins draft pick has had a stellar professional hockey career to date. With 102 games played in the NHL, Hutchinson has a career 2.65 GAA and .910 save percentage with a 43-39-11 record. In 26 games with the Manitoba Moose during the 2017-18 season, the Barrie, Ontario native had 17 wins and posted a 2.08 GAA and .935 save percentage while also splitting time in the NHL with Winnipeg.

“Any award that is voted on by the players is definitely an honour to receive,” said Hutchinson. “There was a bunch of good goalies throughout the league and Western Conference this year so for players on your own team and other teams to recognize your game and the season you had is something special.”