Sparks makes history in NHL debut

Wednesday December 2, 2015

Guelph Storm graduate Garret Sparks experienced a game he’ll never forget on Monday in Toronto.

The 22 year-old who spent last season with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears made 24 saves to record a shutout in his NHL debut, a 3-0 Leafs victory over the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

Sparks became the first goaltender in Leafs franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut.

“That was a completely new experience and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Sparks told reporters following the win. “I’m sure it’ll hit me at some point. It just hasn’t yet.”

The Elmhurst, Illinois native enjoyed an underrated OHL career, playing three seasons in Guelph from 2010-2013, going 71-48-1-8 in his career with a 2.97 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and 12 shutouts.

His 36 wins and seven shutouts as a 19 year-old in 2012-13 remain a Storm franchise record.

“They’ve been playing hockey here for a long time, so I think that’s pretty cool,” Sparks said of the historic element to his accomplishment. “From the second I walked in this morning, to the second I walked in here (after the game) they were the most supportive group I ever encountered.”

Sparks is one of 17 OHL graduates to make his NHL debut so far this season, being joined by such prominent names as Max Domi (London Knights/Arizona Coyotes) and fellow Guelph Storm alumnus Robby Fabbri (St. Louis Blues).

OHL graduates to make their NHL debuts so far in 2015-16:
Andreas Athanasiou (Barrie Colts/Detroit Red Wings)
Dylan DeMelo (Mississauga Steelheads/San Jose Sharks)
Max Domi (London Knights/Arizona Coyotes)
Robby Fabbri (Guelph Storm/St. Louis Blues)
Radek Faksa (Sudbury Wolves/Dallas Stars)
Kurtis Gabriel (Owen Sound Attack/Minnesota Wild)
Brendan Gaunce (Erie Otters/Vancouver Canucks)
Nikolay Goldobin (Sarnia Sting/San Jose Sharks)
Jared McCann (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Toronto Maple Leafs)
Connor McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers)
Brock McGinn (Guelph Storm/Carolina Hurricanes)
Colin Miller (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Boston Bruins)
Andrey Pedan (Guelph Storm/Vancouver Canucks)
Adam Pelech (Erie Otters/New York Islanders)
Tyler Randell (Kitchener Rangers/Boston Bruins)
Nick Ritchie (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Anaheim Ducks)
Garret Sparks (Guelph Storm/Toronto Maple Leafs)