After an outstanding season as a rookie in 2023-24, goaltender Matt Vernon is returning to the Jacksonville Icemen, agreeing to terms with the club for the 2024-25 season.
A resident of Calgary, AB, Vernon put up impressive numbers for the Icemen last season, earning ECHL All-Rookie Team and All ECHL Second Team honors after setting a team record for wins in a season with 25. He posted a 2.67 goals-against average, .904 save percentage and a regular season shutout to go along with two shutouts in the playoffs.
In addition, the 26-year-old Vernon was named ECHL Goaltender of the Month for February and also named ECHL Goaltender of the Week for the week of November 20-26.
Vernon played collegiate hockey at Colorado College, recording 19 wins, five shutouts, a 3.02 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. He also played two seasons with the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings, posting 57 wins, including a 40-win season with seven shutouts during the 2018-19 campaign.
Vernon is the son of longtime NHL goaltender Mike Vernon who won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989 and with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997. The Icemen hope those winning genes will translate into a second season of success for the netminder.
Vernon joins fellow goalie Justen Close, who signed with the club in late August. Close compiled 48 wins with ten shutouts, a 2.19 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage during the past two seasons at the University of Minnesota.
Jacksonville opens the 2024-25 season on Saturday, October 19 against the Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades.
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