The Utah Grizzlies have announced that they have signed Goaltender Vincent “Vinny” Duplessis for the 2024-25 Season. Duplessis, hailing from Quebec City, Quebec, stands at 6’1″ and weighs 170 pounds. He joined the Grizzlies for the final weekend of the 2023-24 regular season. In his two appearances with Utah, he posted a record of 0-1-1, achieving a .905 save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.07.
During the 2023-24 season, Duplessis played for Quinnipiac University as a graduate student. While there, Duplessis achieved a few accolades as a standout goaltender for the Bobcats. he was named a Mike Richter Award Semifinalist and a finalist for the 2024 ECAC Hockey Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year Award. The Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year Award is presented annually to the top goaltender in the ECAC Hockey conference, named after Ken Dryden, a notable Cornell goaltender who led the Big Red to their first national title in 1967. Additionally, Duplessis earned the title of ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week on January 29 and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player at the CT Ice tournament, where he made 42 saves to help secure their team’s third consecutive trophy.
Duplessis finished the 2023-24 season with a collegiate-best 21 wins and a 2.02 goals-against average, ranking fourth nationally in win percentage, fifth in GAA, and ninth with three shutouts. His performance also included a personal best of 40 saves in a game against Northeastern on January 6, 2024. Overall, he maintained a 2.02 and a save percentage of .914 across 30 games.
Prior to that, he spent three seasons at Boston University from 2020 to 2023 and achieved recognition once more, being named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month in February 2022 and earning Rookie of the Month honors in February 2021. He was also recognized multiple times as Goaltender of the Week and Rookie of the Week throughout the 2021-2022 season. Duplessis was honored as the Defensive Player of the Week in February 2021 and has been a two-time member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team. Highlighting his impactful performances, he made 19 saves in the Beanpot final, leading his team to a victory against No. 18 Northeastern. The goaltender had an impressive 40 saves in his collegiate debut against the top-ranked Boston College, contributing to a 3-1 win. In his his three seasons with BU, the goaltender recorded a goals-against average of 2.20 and achieved a save percentage of .915. He secured 14 wins, three shutouts, and faced six losses over the course of 40 games.
The Grizzlies have announced the following signings for the 2024-25 season to date, which include the following forwards: Aaron Aragon, Craig Armstrong, Dylan Fitze, Cole Gallant, Luke Manning, Mick Messner, Max Neill, Nick Pastorious, and Blake Wells. In addition to their forward group, they have signed defensemen Kade Jensen, Kabore Dunn, Gianni Fairbrother, Chase Hartje, , Kyle Pow, and James Shearer, along with the addition of goaltender Vincent Duplessis.
