Nicola Riopel

Nicola Riopel
Born	February 20, 1989 (1989-02-20) (age 22) St. Pie, QU, CAN
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	167 lb (76 kg; 11 st 13 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
ECHL team	Greenville Road Warriors
NHL Draft	142nd overall, 2009 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	2009–present

Nicola Riopel (born February 20, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL.

Playing career

Riopel began his major junior career with the Moncton Wildcats 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,^[1] 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

Awards

• Won the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy (QMJHL's lowest GAA) in 2008–09.
• Won the Michel Briere Memorial Trophy (QMJHL player of the year) in 2009.

Records

• QMJHL league record; lowest goals against average, single-season - 2.01 in 2008–09

Career statistics

Regular season

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2006–07	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL		37	17	12	0	1914	107	1	3.35	.894
2007–08	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL		47	15	29	10	2662	135	1	3.04	.910
2008–09	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL		59	43	15	4	3487	117	5	2.01	.931
2009–10	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL		25	19	5	0	1455	50	3	2.06	.918
2009–10	Adirondack Phantoms	AHL		10	4	6	0	573	32	0	3.35	.893
2010–11	Adirondack Phantoms	AHL		11	3	7	0	591	35	1	3.55	.874
2010–11	Greenville Road Warriors	ECHL		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		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

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Wildcats goalie Nicola Riopel captures QMJHL player of the year award". Canadian Online Explorer. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2009/04/01/8970511-cp.html. Retrieved 2009-05-23. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ Bill Meltzer (2011-06-05). "Meltzer's Musings: Goaltending Prospects (Part I of II)". Hockey Buzz. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=36215. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 

External links

• Nicola Riopel's career stats at Eliteprospects.com
• Nicola Riopel's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Nicola Riopel's NHL player profile
• Nicola Riopel at TSN.ca

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Bobby Nadeau	Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy 2009	Succeeded by Jake Allen
Preceded by Francis Paré	Michel Briere Memorial Trophy 2009	Succeeded by Mike Hoffman

Persondata
Name	Riopel, Nic
Alternative names
Short description	Canadian ice hockey goaltender
Date of birth	February 20, 1989
Place of birth	St. Pie, QU, CAN
Date of death
Place of death