The ECHL announced on Thursday that Toledo Walleye goaltender John Lethemon had won the Nick Vitucci Goaltender of the Year award. Lethemon had a crazy good year in net for the Walleye putting up a record of 18-1-3 with a 1.99 GAA and .930, along with four shutouts in 26 appearances for the Walleye. The Michigan native ended the season with a win in 14 straight decisions and allowed two goals or less in 15 appearances. Lethemon also saw action in nine games in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but his numbers aren’t as great as his ECHL numbers. Lethemon wasn’t the only Toledo goaltender nominated for the award, as Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa finished fourth in the voting. Cossa scored 26-16-1 with a 2.56 GAA, a .913 save percentage, and four shutouts. Lethemon was also named to the All ECHL First Team. Goaltending was a vital part of the Walleye’s 18-game win streak, the second longest in ECHL and history, and 20-game point streak, which lasted from February 5th till March 24th when they lost to the Reading Royals. Lethemon and the Walleye will begin their Kelly Cup Playoff run on Friday when they face the Indy Fuel
Adam Sheel (Idaho Steelheads), Remi Poirer (Idaho Steelheads), and Luke Cavallin rounded out the top five in voting. It can easily be argued that Lethemon was better than both of the Steelheads goalies this season.
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