Jason LaBarbera
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Jason LaBarbera (born January 18, 1980 in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays goalie for the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings. He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He was the chosen 66th overall in the 3rd round.
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[edit] Playing career
His first NHL action came with the New York Rangers in relief of Kirk McLean in the 2000-01 NHL season, with 2 saves in 10 minutes of play in an 8-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 2003-04 NHL season brought a bit more playing time for LaBarbera with the New York Rangers. LaBarbera, in the midst of a spectacular season with the Rangers' AHL affiliate Hartford Wolfpack, was called up for 4 games; he went 1-2-0 with a 4.85 GAA and a .824 save percentage. His lone NHL victory that season was a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals on March 5, 2004.
Despite his award-winning performance with the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL, the Rangers did not sign LaBarbera to a contract for the 2005-06 NHL season, likely due to the highly-touted Ranger draft picks, goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist and Al Montoya. The Los Angeles Kings quickly inked the netminder prior to the start of the season.
LaBarbera's first full season in the NHL has been spent backing up Kings starting goalie Mathieu Garon. He got off to a quick start with the Kings, going undefeated in his first seven starts. LaBarbara earned his first NHL shutout on April 17, 2006, blanking the San Jose Sharks in a 4-0 victory; incidentally, this was also Luc Robitaille's final game before his retirement.
[edit] Awards
- WHL - All-Star team (1999-00)
- AHL - All-Star First Team (2003-04)
- AHL - Baz Bastien Award - Top Goaltender (2003-04)
- AHL - Les Cunningham Award - MVP (2003-04)
- AHL - Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Trophy - Fewest goals against (2003-04)
[edit] Records
- AHL - Most shutouts in one season - 13 (2003-04)
