Jason LaBarbera

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Jason LaBarbera (born January 18, 1980 in Langley, 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.

Contents 1 Playing career 2 Awards 3 Records 4 See also

[edit] Playing career

His first NHL action came with the New York Rangers in relief of Kirk McLean (his childhood hero) in the 2000-01 NHL season, with two saves in 10 minutes of play in an 8-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 2003-04 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 Wolf Pack, was called up to the Rangers. He played in four games that season, playing to a record of 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 Wolf Pack of the AHL, the Rangers did not sign LaBarbera to a contract for the 2005-06 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 was 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.

As of now, LaBarbera is playing for the Kings' minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Although there have been injuries to Kings goalies Mathieu Garon and Dan Cloutier during the 2006-07 season, the Kings have been hesitant to call LaBarbera up due to the fact that he does not have a two-way contract, therefore requiring him to clear waivers in order to be called up and sent back down and making it likely that he would be claimed by another team before he could clear and return to Los Angeles.

[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)

[edit] See also

• List of NHL players