ECHL All-Rookie Team Selections

Today the ECHL announced the players selected for the 2013-2014 All-Rookie team. Those who made the list were determined by a vote of ECHL Coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and  the media.

A rookie is defined as a player who has played in less than 25 professional games prior to the start of the current season.

2013-14 ECHL All-Rookie Team

G –Laurent Brossoit, Bakersfield Condors (36 gp, 24-9-2, 2.05 GAA, .924 save pct.)
D – Michal Cajkovsky, Reading Royals (63 gp, 13g, 22a, 35 pts., +5)
D –Brad Richard, Alaska Aces (59 gp, 6g, 24a, 30 pts., +21)
F –Matt Caria, Kalamazoo Wings (63 gp, 24g, 30a, 54 pts., Even)
F –Jeremy Langlois, Stockton Thunder (53 gp, 17g, 39a, 56 pts., +3)
F –William Rapuzzi, Idaho Steelheads (58 gp, 16g, 41a, 57 pts., +1)

Since the ECHL began naming the All-Rookie Team in 2000-01, 15 players selected have gone to play in the National Hockey League:Richard Bachman(2009-10), David Desharnais (2007-08), Cedrick Desjardins (2006-07), Kevin Doell (2003-04), Brian Fahey (2003-04), Vern Fiddler (2002-03), Simon Gamache (2001-02), Mike Glumac (2002-03), Philipp Grubauer (2011-12), Adam Hauser (2002-03), Jason Jaffray (2002-03), Anton Khudobin (2007-08), Ben Street (2010-11), Joey Tenute (2004-05) and Zenon Konopka (2002-03).

The ECHL will announce its First-Team All-ECHL and Second-Team All-ECHL teams on Thursday.

Laurent Brossoit, Bakersfield Condors
photo: Condors

Laurent Brossoit of the Bakersfield Condors is 24-9-2 and has tied the ECHL single-season record with eight shutouts. His three consecutive shutouts from Nov. 2 through Dec. 18 tied the league record and his 211:17 shutout streak ranks fourth all-time. Brossoit, who is under an NHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers, ranks second in the league with a 2.05 goals-against average and is tied for second with a .924 save percentage. He is the fourth Condor to make the ECHL All-Rookie Team. His stellar in-net performance has garnered him ECHL Goaltender of the Week on 3 occasions this season (Nov 3, Dec 29, Jan 19)

Michal Cajkovsky of the Reading Royals leads rookie defensemen, and is tied for 10th among blueliners, with 35 points (13g-22a) in 63 games while his 13 goals are tied for third among league defensemen. Under contract to the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears, Cajkovsky’s four game-winning goals are tied for second among defensemen and tied for fifth among rookies.

Brad Richard, Alaska Aces
photo: Alaska Aces

Brad Richard of the Alaska Aces is tied for third among rookie defensemen with 30 points (6g-24a) in 59 games and is third among rookies in plus-minus with a +21 rating.He leads the Aces in scoring among defencemen and has 11 power play points (3g-8a). Richard is the sixth Alaska Aces player to make the ECHL All-Rookie Team and the first defenceman since Mark Isherwood did so in 2010-11.

Matt Caria of the Kalamazoo Wings is tied for second among first-year players with 24 goals and is fourth with 54 points. His eight power-play goals are third among rookies, he is tied for third with 15 power-play points and he is tied for second with five game-winning goals.

Jeremy Langlois, under an AHL contract with Bridgeport, started the season with Evansville before his contract rights were traded in March and he was reassigned to Stockton. He ranks second among ECHL rookies with 56 points (17g-39a) in 53 games with the IceMen and Thunder. He is second among first-year players with 17 power-play points and third with 185 shots on goal.

William Rapuzzi, Idaho Steelheads
photo: Nate McIntyre/ Idaho Steelheads

William Rapuzzi of the Idaho Steelheads is an Anchorage, Alaska native and leads all rookies with 41 assists, 57 points, 15 power-play assists and 21 power-play points. His four game-winning goals are tied for fifth among first-year players and he is second among rookies with a .778 shootout shooting percentage (7-for-9). His 57 points are also good for tops among all Steelheads players.Rapuzzi is the fifth Idaho player to earn All-Rookie honors, joining Kael Mouillerat (2011), Evan Barlow (2010), Richard Bachman (2010) and Frank Doyle (2005).