BROOKS, AB – After a record-breaking playoff run, 1995-born goaltender Garret Hughson (Foremost, AB) has committed to attend and play for the University of Lethbridge, beginning in the 2016-17 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) season, it was announced today by the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
Located less than two hours’ drive from Hughson’s most recent hockey home in Brooks, and just over an hour from his hometown, the Pronghorns compete in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) under two-year head coach Spiros Anastas.
“Lethbridge was a good fit for me because they are an organization on the rise that needed a starting goalie,” said Hughson. “It’s going to be nice to be close to home, get an education, and continue playing hockey.”
The 21-year old goaltender joined the Bandits in January of this year after being acquired from the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 17 regular season games, Hughson registered a 14-3 record, 2.23 goals against average (GAA), and .918 save percentage, with 3 shutouts.
It was in the playoffs when he truly shone, however, going 12-0-1 en route to the Bandits’ third AJHL championship, setting a new AJHL record for playoff goals against average at 1.10, recording a .957 save percentage, and tying the AJHL record for playoff shutouts with 4.
“Garret did an unbelievable job for us this season and gave our team a chance to win every night,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “He was instrumental in our run to the RBC Cup and will leave the Bandits with one of the more memorable playoff performances in my time.”
“He will have an opportunity at Lethbridge to compete for big minutes as a freshman and will no doubt provide stellar on-ice performances for the Pronghorns just as he did here,” he added. “We wish Garret all the best in Lethbridge.”
Hughson was also named the Top Goalie of the 2016 Western Canada Cup, and named to its All-Tournament Team, going 4-1 with a 2.28 GAA and .917 save percentage as Brooks earned the tournament’s second RBC Cup berth.
Prior to his time with the Bandits, Hughson spent his entire 112-game Western Hockey League (WHL) career with the Spokane Chiefs, posting a 41-38-7 regular season record with a 3.07 GAA and .895 save percentage, with a playoff record of 2-2-2, GAA of 2.42, and save percentage of .912.
“I had a lot of fun in Brooks and it’s a playoff run that I will never forget,” Hughson added. “I’d like to thank the fans and the organization for giving me the opportunity.”
With Hughson’s commitment, a total of 18 players on the Bandits’ final 2015-16 roster have secured commitments to post-secondary institutions.