Nicola Riopel
Encyclopedia
Nicola Riopel is a Canadian professional ice hockey
goaltender
who plays for the Greenville Road Warriors
of the ECHL
.
in 2005–06, appearing in 5 games. He shared starts with the older Jhase Sniderman in his rookie season in 2006–07 before taking the starting position in 2007–08
. In his third season with the Wildcats, Riopel emerged with a record-setting and award-winning campaign. Along with his 43 wins, which helped Moncton to an Atlantic Division title, and .930 save percentage
, he established a league record with a 2.01 goals against average
, far surpassing Martin Houle
of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
previous record of 2.32, set in 2003–04. Riopel was awarded the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy
for having the lowest GAA in the league and the Michel Briere Memorial Trophy
as player of the year. Selected in the 5th round, 142nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Riopel began the 2009-2010 season by claiming a spot in training camp with the Flyers' top AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms
. After posting a 4-6-0 record with a 3.35 GAA and a 0.893 save percentage in back-up duty to Johan Backlund, Riopel was loaned back to his Junior club, the Moncton Wildcats, on December 17, 2009.
After attending both the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp and then the Adirondack Phantoms' training camp, Riopel was assigned to the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL. However, after performing extremely well in "AA" hockey, he was recalled after Greg Gilbert was released as head coach of the Phantoms to replace Brian Stewart. Since, he has become the starting netminder for the Glens Falls team after an injury to starter Johan Backlund.
After Flyers Stanley Cup goaltender Michael Leighton
was waived and sent to the Adirondack Phantoms on January 4, 2011, the logjam at the position saw Riopel returned to Greenville.
Since Riopel wasn't signed to an entry-level contract by June 1, 2011, the Flyers no longer hold his NHL rights.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who plays for the Greenville Road Warriors
Greenville Road Warriors
The Greenville Road Warriors are a professional ice hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. The team is a member of the ECHL and play their home games at the BI-LO Center in downtown Greenville. The franchise had previously played as the Johnstown Chiefs from the ECHL's inception in...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
.
Playing career
Riopel began his major junior career with the Moncton WildcatsMoncton Wildcats
The Moncton Wildcats are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They play at the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada....
in 2005–06, appearing in 5 games. He shared starts with the older Jhase Sniderman in his rookie season in 2006–07 before taking the starting position in 2007–08
2007–08 QMJHL season
The 2007–08 QMJHL season was the 39th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. At the season-opening press conference, the QMJHL announced in partnership with Telus, all 630 regular season games would be available by internet broadcast. The regular season started on September...
. In his third season with the Wildcats, Riopel emerged with a record-setting and award-winning campaign. Along with his 43 wins, which helped Moncton to an Atlantic Division title, and .930 save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
, he established a league record with a 2.01 goals against average
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
, far surpassing Martin Houle
Martin Houle
Martin G. Houle is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, who is currently playing with the Sorel-Tracy GCI of the LNAH.-Playing career:...
of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Their home rink is Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.-Franchise history :...
previous record of 2.32, set in 2003–04. Riopel was awarded the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy
Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy
The Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltender in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the best goals-against average. It is named for Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante.-Winners:-External links:...
for having the lowest GAA in the league and the Michel Briere Memorial Trophy
Michel Brière Memorial Trophy
The Michel Brière Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. It is named for former QMJHL and NHL player Michel Briere, who was killed in a car accident....
as player of the year. Selected in the 5th round, 142nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Riopel began the 2009-2010 season by claiming a spot in training camp with the Flyers' top AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms
Adirondack Phantoms
The Adirondack Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , who began play in the 2009–10 AHL season. The Phantoms are based in Glens Falls, New York, playing home games at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Phantoms are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers...
. After posting a 4-6-0 record with a 3.35 GAA and a 0.893 save percentage in back-up duty to Johan Backlund, Riopel was loaned back to his Junior club, the Moncton Wildcats, on December 17, 2009.
After attending both the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp and then the Adirondack Phantoms' training camp, Riopel was assigned to the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL. However, after performing extremely well in "AA" hockey, he was recalled after Greg Gilbert was released as head coach of the Phantoms to replace Brian Stewart. Since, he has become the starting netminder for the Glens Falls team after an injury to starter Johan Backlund.
After Flyers Stanley Cup goaltender Michael Leighton
Michael Leighton
Michael "Mike" Leighton is a professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
was waived and sent to the Adirondack Phantoms on January 4, 2011, the logjam at the position saw Riopel returned to Greenville.
Since Riopel wasn't signed to an entry-level contract by June 1, 2011, the Flyers no longer hold his NHL rights.
Awards
- Won the Jacques Plante Memorial TrophyJacques Plante Memorial TrophyThe Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltender in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the best goals-against average. It is named for Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante.-Winners:-External links:...
(QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
's lowest GAA) in 2008–092008–09 QMJHL seasonThe 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008....
. - Won the Michel Briere Memorial TrophyMichel Brière Memorial TrophyThe Michel Brière Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. It is named for former QMJHL and NHL player Michel Briere, who was killed in a car accident....
(QMJHL player of the year) in 2009.
Records
- QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
league record; lowest goals against average, single-season - 2.01 in 2008–092008–09 QMJHL seasonThe 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008....
Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | Moncton Wildcats Moncton Wildcats The Moncton Wildcats are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They play at the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.... |
QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
37 | 17 | 12 | 0 | 1914 | 107 | 1 | 3.35 | .894 |
| 2007–08 2007–08 QMJHL season The 2007–08 QMJHL season was the 39th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. At the season-opening press conference, the QMJHL announced in partnership with Telus, all 630 regular season games would be available by internet broadcast. The regular season started on September... |
Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 47 | 15 | 29 | 10 | 2662 | 135 | 1 | 3.04 | .910 |
| 2008–09 2008–09 QMJHL season The 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008.... |
Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 59 | 43 | 15 | 4 | 3487 | 117 | 5 | 2.01 | .931 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 QMJHL season The 2009–10 QMJHL season was the 41st season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season, which consisted of eighteen teams playing 68 games each, began on September 10, 2009, and ended on March 14, 2010.... |
Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 25 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 1455 | 50 | 3 | 2.06 | .918 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Adirondack Phantoms Adirondack Phantoms The Adirondack Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , who began play in the 2009–10 AHL season. The Phantoms are based in Glens Falls, New York, playing home games at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Phantoms are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 573 | 32 | 0 | 3.35 | .893 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 AHL season The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011... |
Adirondack Phantoms | AHL | 11 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 591 | 35 | 1 | 3.55 | .874 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 ECHL season The 2010–11 ECHL season is the 23rd season of the ECHL. The regular season schedule runs from October 15, 2010 to April 2, 2011. The Kelly Cup playoffs followed the regular season, with the first playoff game held on April 4, 2011, all the way to late May or early June... |
Greenville Road Warriors Greenville Road Warriors The Greenville Road Warriors are a professional ice hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. The team is a member of the ECHL and play their home games at the BI-LO Center in downtown Greenville. The franchise had previously played as the Johnstown Chiefs from the ECHL's inception in... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
38 | 24 | 12 | 2 | 2301 | 107 | 2 | 2.79 | .906 |
| QMJHL totals | 168 | 94 | 61 | 14 | 9518 | 409 | 10 | 2.58 | .915 | ||
| AHL totals | 21 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 1164 | 67 | 1 | 3.45 | .884 | ||
Playoffs
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 4 | 1 | 3 | 185 | 16 | 0 | 5.19 | .842 |
| 2008–09 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 10 | 5 | 5 | 620 | 21 | 2 | 2.03 | .936 |
| 2009–10 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1291 | 46 | 3 | 2.14 | .930 |
| 2009–10 | Moncton Wildcats | M-Cup 2010 Memorial Cup The 2010 Memorial Cup was a 4-team round-robin format tournament played during May 14–23, 2010 in Brandon, Manitoba. It determined the 92nd major junior champions of the Canadian Hockey League . The Western Hockey League announced on October 15, 2008, that the Brandon Wheat Kings were chosen to... |
2 | 0 | 2 | 119 | 9 | 0 | 4.54 | .862 |
| 2010–11 | Greenville Road Warriors | ECHL | 7 | 4 | 3 | 436 | 18 | 0 | 2.48 | .910 |
| QMJHL totals | 35 | 22 | 12 | 2096 | 83 | 5 | 2.38 | .923 | ||