Vanecek is Bellevue University/ECHL Alumnus of the Month

Former South Carolina Stingrays’ goaltender Vitek Vanecek of the New Jersey Devils is the Bellevue University ECHL Alumnus of the Month for November.

The 26-year-old went 8-1-0 in nine appearances during the month with a 2.13 goals-against average and a save percentage of .930. He allowed two goals or less seven times while making at least 28 saves in five appearances, including three games of 30 or more saves.

A second-round selection (39th overall) of the Washington Capitals in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Vanecek was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team in 2015-16 when he appeared in 32 games for South Carolina with a record of 18-7-6 with four shutouts, a 2.03 goals-against average and a save percentage of .917.

Vanecek has appeared in 94 career NHL games with New Jersey and Washington with an overall record of 52-24-10 with seven shutouts, a 2.59 goals-against average and a save percentage of .910.

There have been 729 players who have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL including two who have made their debut in 2022-23. The ECHL has had 537 players reach the NHL since 2002-03 when it changed its focus to become the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL. The ECHL had 97 players reach the NHL in its first 10 seasons and 215 in the first 15 years. There have been 473 ECHL players who have played their first game in the last 17 seasons for an average of more than 27 per year.