The Man in Net Happy to be There

What a difference a year can make?

Colorado Eagles goalie Andrew Penner came to the Loveland team last year after a shaky season the year before. But the 2008-2009 season could not have worked out better—thus far.

After starting off the season 21-1 and living through 97 days between loses the Simco, Ontario native couldn’t have been happier.

Penner has been playing professional hockey since 2003 and has made stops—literally—in ECHL cities Syracuse, Johnstown and Wheeling prior to playing his home games at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland.

The 27-year-old 6’2” southpaw spent the 2007-2008 season in the Colorado Avalanche camp prior to being sent down to Johnstown (ECHA). He played in 21 games while posting a 6-12-1 record

Statistically, this season was a great one for Penner and a much-improved turnaround as he finished with a 30-6 record in goal for the Eagles.

His adjustment to the CHL caliber of play was a very smooth one as Penner blocked 1,167 shots and allowed only 108 goals in 41 games for a .915 SPCT. But it’s clear the regular season is behind him and the team. It’s the playoffs and the quest for another Ray Miron President’s Cup that have become priority No. 1.

“As long as we take care of business at home we will clean some things up and show our stuff”, said Penner after a first round game.

Penner, who is engaged and will be married this June, loves living in Colorado.

“There is so much to do and I enjoy hiking, horseback riding and all the healthy things you can do here,” he said. “I love it here.”

Soon- to- be wife Lindsey and Penner said they would be happy to live in Colorado for the next few years. It’s also a bonus that he loves playing for a successful program.

The Eagles are giving him a chance to improve his hockey skills and progress to another level because of the strong competition in the CHL.

Penner played in the prestigious Ontario Hockey League while in high school before signing his first professional contract as a free agent.

“I have always been a goalie except when I was five years old I played forward for one season, but knew I would like to play in the net.”

It was obviously a good career decision at such an early age.

The Penner family hockey genes have not taken much time off as Andrew’s dad played when he was younger then went on to coach as an assistant in NHL.

In his six years in professional hockey the younger Penner has improved his blocked shots percentage each year. Lucky for the Eagles this year is no exception and they’ll need that kind of force in goal to carry them through the finals versus the Texas Brahamas.

When Penner is not in goal for the Eagles he shares his duties with Morgan Cey who played in 25 games for the Eagles.

Between both goalies the Eagles only lost 15 games going 45-15-4.

On back-to-back nights in early March, Penner stopped 83 of 87 shots (95.4 percent) and posted a GAA of 1.92 against the top teams in the Northeast Division.

He also came up with a 47–save performance in the Northwest Division clinching game.

Eagle coach Kevin McClelland enjoyed his best season putting 45 wins on the board and knows Penner was a big contributor to the season.

“I  know what to expect in the playoffs as everyone plays harder and that means I have to also,” said Penner, who also spent three weeks with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets in 2006.

And even having experienced some NHL rosters he is very impressed with the Central Hockey League’s caliber of players.

“While the ECHL has younger players, the CHL has more skilled and experienced guys across the board,” said Penner.

Playing against the older players will only help his learning curve and improve his own defensive skills.

His favorite goalie in the NHL is former Vancouver Cannucks goalie Dan Cloutier. Cloutier career began 1996 as first round draft pick of the N.Y. Rangers.

“I always admired Dan and the way he played,” said Penner. 

Penner’s choice in goalies is not bad as Cloutier played with the Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver and currently is with the Los Angeles Kings.

Surviving as a goalie for 13 years in the NHL says something for stamina.

Meanwhile Penner is hoping his Eagles get through the playoffs and bring another championship back to Loveland.

Life has been good for the Eagles’ goalie and it’ll only get better if he gets to hoist the Miron Cup. 

Eagle fans would all agree.