Gibson Recognized by USA Hockey

Press Release

USA Hockey announced Wednesday that goaltender John Gibson is the recipient of the Bob Johnson Award, given annually to recognize excellence in international hockey competition during a specific season of play. Gibson will receive the award at USA Hockey’s President's Awards Dinner on June 7. Previous recipients of the Bob Johnson Award include Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller and Minnesota Wild stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Gibson enjoyed unprecedented success on the international stage in 2013 and has quickly built an impressive resume with Team USA. He began the year by backstopping the U.S. National Junior Team to the gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. He posted a 5-0-0-2 record and was selected Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Gibson also received the directorate award as the tournament’s best goaltender, was selected to the Media All-Star Team and was named one of Team USA’s best three players of the tournament. He set the U.S. record for save percentage (.955) for a single World Junior Championship and his 1.36 goals-against average ranks as the third-best by a U.S. goalie in any single tournament.

Earlier this spring, the 19-year-old netminder also helped the U.S. Men’s National Team earn a bronze medal at the 2013 IIHF Men’s World Championship, where he finished second amongst goaltenders with a 1.56 goals against average and .951 save percentage. He became the second-youngest netminder in world championship history to win a playoff game with an 8-3 victory over Russia in the quarterfinals before backstopping Team USA to a bronze medal shootout win over Finland.

In addition to two medals this season, the Anaheim Ducks prospect also earned gold medals with the Americans at the Under-17 World Hockey Championship in 2010 and the 2011 Under-18 Championship.

In two seasons with the Kitchener Rangers, Gibson has posted a 38-19-0-1 regular season record with a 2.60 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. He has twice been recognized with the Charles Chalkin Memorial Trophy as the Rangers’ most valuable player in the postseason, and finished the 2013 playoffs with a .946 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average in 10 games.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)