(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce that ECHL players have voted Jeff Jakaitis of the South Carolina Stingrays as the inaugural recipient of the 2014-15 PHPA – ECHL Top Goaltender Award Presented by Scotiabank.

The PHPA-ECHL Top Goaltender Award Presented by Scotiabank is awarded to the goaltender considered by his peers to be the most dominant in the league during the regular season.  He has the ability to steal games for his team with his strong play.

Jakaitis, who was named Top Goaltender and Most Valuable Player by the league, set multiple goaltending records during the 2014-15 season.  Jakaitis went 15-0-0 with four shutouts, a 1.67 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .937 during South Carolina’s ECHL record 23-game winning streak from February 7 – March 27, 2015.  He set a league record with four consecutive shutouts from March 7 – 20, and his 321:46 shutout streak set both an ECHL and a minor-league professional hockey record, falling just 10:16 shy of the modern-era pro hockey record.  Jakaitis led all ECHL goaltenders with a 1.96 goals-against average and seven shutouts.  He finished the season second in the league with a .924 save percentage and was sixth with 23 wins, while establishing an ECHL record 16-game personal winning streak.

“It means a lot to me to have the respect of the players who you are battling with night in and night out,” said Jakaitis. “Goaltending awards are often a reflection of the team and I am fortunate to have great teammates who play a solid defensive system.”

The PHPA-ECHL Top Goaltender Award is presented by Scotiabank, the Official Financial Institution of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. 

“Jeff had a remarkable season, and I am proud that his peers recognized the significance of his accomplishments,” added PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon.  “On behalf of the PHPA Membership, I offer my most sincere congratulations to Jeff on an outstanding season.”

The 2014-15 season marked the first time players from the ECHL voted on a series of season ending individual awards.

2014-15 PHPA Player Voted Awards 

ECHL Top Goaltender Award Presented by Scotiabank

Jeff Jakaitis

Height: 5’10” Weight: 165 lbs.

Age: 31

Hometown: Rochester, MN

Career Achievements:

All-CCHA First Team, 2005-06

All-CCHA Second Team, 2006-07

Central Hockey League All-Star Team, 2011

ECHL Goaltender of the Year, 2011-12, 2014-15

ECHL First All-Star Team, 2013-14, 2014-15

ECHL Most Valuable Player, 2014-15