For the second year in a row, former Penticton Vees goaltender and current Quinnipiac University netminder Yaniv Perets was named a top-10 finalist for the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award this week, given to college hockey’s top player at year end. A week prior, Perets was also named a top-three finalist for the Mike Richter Award for NCAA hockey’s top goaltender for the second consecutive season.
The 23-year-old is once again enjoying a remarkable season at Quinnipiac, posting a record of 30-3-3 with an NCAA-best 1.52 goals-against average and 11 shutouts, which ranks second among all college netminders. His .927 save percentage also ranks fifth among his peers.
Last season, Perets was named the ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Year after recording 11 shutouts in 31 games and registering a .939 save percentage.
The Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. native played the 2019-20 season in Penticton, posting the third-best goals-against average in the league at 2.19, the second-most shutouts with five and a .918 save percentage.
Perets is looking to become the first BCHL alumnus to win the Hobey Baker Award since former Salmon Arm Silverback Ryan Duncan took home the honour with the University of North Dakota in 2007. He would also be the second league alum to ever win the Mike Richter Award after former Vee Jack LaFontaine took home the honour in 2020-21.
