Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Whalers’ Alex Nedeljkovic named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2014 NHL Draft prospect Alex Nedeljkovic of the Plymouth Whalers is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending March 2 after posting a 2-0-0-1 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.97 and save percentage of .973.

Nedeljkovic made 110 saves in three games last week to claim the award for the second time this season.  His play helped the Whalers earn a crucial five of a possible six points last week inching them closer to clinching an OHL Playoff berth for the 23rd consecutive season.  Last Tuesday night he made 35 saves as part of a 4-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers, then made 49 saves on Friday in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Barrie Colts.  He finished the week by recording his first shutout of the season and third of his career on Saturday stopping all 26 shots he faced as third star of a 5-0 win over the Windsor Spitfires.

Nedeljkovic, an 18-year-old from Parma, Ohio, is playing in his second OHL season with the Whalers.  Eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft, Nedeljkovic was ranked fifth among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting in their Midterm list released in January.  He leads all OHL goaltenders in minutes played and in saves with a season record of 23-25-0-7 and a goals-against-average of 2.91 and save percentage of .925.

Also considered for the award this week were fellow 2014 NHL Draft prospects Austin Lotz of the Everett Silvertips who went 3-0-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 1.33 and save percentage of .944, and Louis-Philip Guindon of the Drummondville Voltigeurs who went 3-1-0-0 with two shutout victories posting a goals-against-average of 1.26 and save percentage of .946.


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

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