USHL’s general managers name Filip Larsson the Goaltender of the Year

The United States Hockey League announced today that Tri-City Storm goaltender Filip Larsson has been named the 2018 USHL Goaltender of the Year as determined by a vote of League general managers.

Larsson played in 30 games for the Storm and had one of the best goaltending seasons in USHL history. He made 736 saves throughout those 30 games, and posted a 1.65 GAA and a .941 SV% in that span. Both of those marks led the league, and the .941 SV% is the best mark in USHL history, dating back to 1979. Larsson’s 1.65 GAA is the second-highest mark in the history of the USHL, behind only Marty Magers (Omaha Lancers), who posted a 1.62 GAA during the 2001-02 season. Larsson’s GAA is the highest such mark in the Tier 1 era, dating back to the 2002-03 season. He also posted seven shutouts this season, the fourth highest total in the history of the USHL and the second most among goaltenders this season.

Larsson, a native of Sweden, posted a five-game winning streak from Oct. 20th to Nov. 4, picking up a victory over Omaha and two wins each against Lincoln and Muskegon. He picked up his first career USHL shutout during that stretch, a whitewash of the Lincoln Stars on Oct. 21. Larsson then posted back-to-back shutouts on Dec. 2 and 7 against Madison and Lincoln, respectively. He allowed two goals or fewer in 24 of his 30 appearances this season and allowed one goal or fewer in 17 games.

Larsson was named USHL Goaltender of the Week twice, Oct. 23 and Dec. 4. He also represented his home country of Sweden in the World Junior Championship, appearing in one game and allowing just two goals to help the Swedes to a silver medal.

On Dec. 12, Larsson announced that he will be attending the University of Denver to play his college hockey. Larsson was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round, 167th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Larsson is the first goaltender in the history of the Tri-City Storm to be named USHL Goaltender of the Year.