Former Penticton Vees goaltender and current Quinnipiac University sophomore Yaniv Perets has been named one of nine finalists for college hockey’s Mike Richter Award for the top goaltender in the NCAA.
The Hockey Commissioner’s Association announced the semifinalists yesterday after a vote by a panel of experts across the hockey community.
The 22-year-old netminder has played 30 games so far this year and owns a 24-3-3 record with an NCAA leading 1.61 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and a whopping eight shutouts, which is tied for the most in college hockey.
Perets was also a semifinalist for last year’s Richter Award after leading the nation with 11 shutouts on the year.
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 second BCHL alumnus to ever win the award after former Vee Jack LaFontaine took home the honour in 2020-21.
The other nominees are:
Ryan Bischel, Notre Dame
Magnus Chrona, Denver
Justen Close, Minnesota
Jakub Dobeš, Ohio State
Mitchell Gibson, Harvard
Devon Levi, Northeastern
Victor Ostman, Maine
Blake Pietila, Michigan Tech
