Photo: Harvard Men’s Hockey
The Hockey Commissioners’ Association announced on Thursday that Capitals goaltending prospect Mitchell Gibson has been named on the initial watch list for the 2023 Mike Richter Award given annually to the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division I hockey since 2014.
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Senior goaltender Mitchell Gibson was named on the initial watch list for the 2023 Mike Richter Award as the nation’s top goaltender, the Hockey Commissioners’ Association announced Thursday (Jan. 12).
Semifinalists for the award will be announced in February, with the field further narrowed to three finalists in March before the winner of the award is announced in April at the 2023 Frozen Four in Tampa.
Gibson (7-3-1, 2.22 GAA, .921 Save%) has been one of the nation’s best in net over the first half of the season, starting 11 of 15 games in net for the Crimson.
He entered the year as one of the most experienced goaltenders in the nation and he currently has a career 36-21-5 mark in 63 games played, including a 2.33 GAA and .918 Save %.
Gibson led Harvard’s late season run in 2021-22, notching a career best 47 saves in the team’s ECAC Hockey title game win against Quinnipiac.
The 41 goalies on the “watch list” come from the United States (18), Canada (13), and Sweden (6), along with one each from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia and Russia. Of the U.S. goalies, Michigan and Pennsylvania lead the way with four each. Of the goalies from Canada, the leading provinces were Alberta and Quebec with three each. There are five freshmen, 10 sophomores, 8 juniors, 14 seniors and four graduate students among those recognized.
Gibson, a 6’1”, 187 lb left-handed netminder, was selected by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round (#124 overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Phoenixville, Pennsylvania native has spent the last three seasons as the number one netminder at Harvard.
Gibson will graduate this spring, but has one year of eligibility remaining due to the Covid-shutdown for the 2020-21 season. He remains unsigned by the Capitals.
By Jon Sorensen
I gotta think if Caps haven’t signed Gibby by now, he’s gonna go free agent.
Sign him and release MIA Garin Bjorklund
I wonder if he will even attempt to play hockey at the next level. He has always been committed to getting his degree at Harvard and may want to use that next. he’ll make a lot more money that way.
I remember when Fitzpatrick signed his first “big” NFL contract and was asked how he felt. His response was something along the lines of “poor. Still put me in the bottom % of earnings from my graduating class.”
Can’t fault him if he decides to pass on hockey, with a Harvard degree in his back pocket. I gotta think he wants to see how far he can take his hockey career, though. Playing all your life with thoughts of playing in the NHL. Caps prospect pool in goal is pretty stout. I m leaning that he decides to test free agent wagers. Will be interesting to see how it unfolds.