With a new 3-year contract extension in place, 4th year goaltender John Gibson(36) is set to assume full-time net minder duties with the only team he’s known thus far, Anaheim Ducks.
Last season the big backstop posted a 21-13 record through 40 NHL games with a 2.07 GAA and .920 SV% plus 4 shutouts.
He quickly ascended to the full-time role appearing in his first 3 contests as a rookie, winning all three appearances and posting a jaw-dropping 1.33 GAA and .954 SV% that included one blanking.
The still super-young 23-year old split time in the parent club’s cage through the last pair of campaigns but now will shoulder a good 50+ starts and be their go-to-guy to help capture another Stanley Cup.
Before the start of his latest campaign though he was named to take part in the upcoming 2016 World Cup Of Hockey for Team USA.
John Gibson(43) Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2o11 draft (#39 overall) goaltender John Gibson(43) got the ultimate call-up in his young career when he was chosen to be the starting net minder for Team USA at the IIHF World Championships.
He helped backstop the team to a bronze medal, their first ranking in almost ten years at the competition.
After participating in two NHL training camps, including the shortened 2013 camp, the still only 19-year old was sent back to rejoin his junior club Kitchener Rangers.
Signed to a three-year entry level deal at the end of the 2012 season, the parent club elected to wait and used a first year slide based on his age.
The sizable 6’3″ 209 lbs. backstop is highly touted in a Ducks‘ system that is already very deep at the goalie position but he already looks to be capable to stealing a job in his first year with the team.
If that doesn’t happen, he’ll likely shoulder a lot of the playing time with AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, a team he joined briefly, appearing in one game before their 2012/2013 season concluded.