Blades’ Maier named WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades has been named the WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month for March 2019.
In nine appearances during the month of March, Maier posted a 9-0-0-0 record while maintaining a 1.64 goals-against-average, a .930 save percentage, and two shutouts. Maier’s play helped the team clinch a WHL Playoffs spot in February, ultimately claiming second place in the East Division and sweeping the Moose Jaw Warriors in the first round.
The Yorkton, Sask. product began March with back-to-back shutouts against the Regina Pats and Red Deer Rebels and later earned a victory against the Prince Albert Raiders on the final weekend of the regular season. Maier hasn’t suffered a regulation loss on home ice since January 12, 2019.
Maier was originally selected by the Blades in the second round, 25th overall, of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. He put forth a strong follow-up to his rookie campaign, posting a 36-10-6-0 record, 2.64 GAA, .910 SV%, and four shutouts in 53 games. In 96 WHL regular season games for his career, Maier has a 59-27-7-1 record, 2.94 GAA, .903 SV%, and six shutouts. In four WHL Playoff games, Maier has a 4-0 record, 1.94 GAA, and a .916 SV%.
Up next for the Blades is a matchup in the second round of the 2019 WHL Playoffs against the Prince Albert Raiders. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will take place Friday, April 5 (7:00 p.m. MT) at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask.
WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month
March: Nolan Maier, Saskatoon Blades
February: Shane Farkas, Portland Winterhawks
January: Todd Scott, Edmonton Oil Kings
December: Dustin Wolf, Everett Silvertips
November: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders
September/October: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.