UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Freshman goaltender Josh Fleming (Montreal, Quebec) was named to the Mike Richter Award “Watch List” as announced by the Hockey Commissioners Association on Wednesday.
The Richter Award is presented annually to the top goaltender in NCAA men’s Division I ice hockey and Fleming is one of 29 net-minders across the country who have been recognized on the initial “Watch List”.
Goalies qualify for the watch list by meeting the following criteria: a goals-against average less than 2.40 and a save percentage above .917. Other names may be added for consideration before the first formal vote.
A committee of voters — made up of a cross section of coaches, administrators, scouts and media — will pare this list down to approximately a dozen semifinalists within the next three weeks and then ultimately choose a winner from three finalists who will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four.
Fleming secured his second shutout of the season last Friday, a 3-0 victory over Minnesota, marking the first-ever shutout of the Gophers for Penn State.
The rookie is currently tied for the national lead with a .938 save percentage while his 1.91 goals-against average is good for second in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation.
Fleming along with sophomore Kevin Reidler (Gavle, Sweden) have combined for a .918 team save percentage ranking third in the Big Ten and tied for seventh in the nation.
The Nittany Lions are back in action this weekend with a Big Ten Conference series against Notre Dame in Hockey Valley. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday and 8 p.m. on Saturday.
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