After the Arizona club hockey team beat ASU in a 4-3 shootout on Feb. 21, Icecats goaltender Nick Boddy was sure that he had played his last game as a collegiate hockey player.
It turned out he was wrong.
Boddy will get another opportunity to represent Arizona as he is one of the players selected to participate in the second annual American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I All-Star game in Wooster, Ohio on April 4.
“”My roommate was randomly on the Web site the day that they announced the roster, and he pointed that my name was on the roster,”” Boddy said. “”I was pretty shocked. … I didn’t really expect to make the team because we weren’t ranked at all and there were plenty of goaltenders that played in nationals. It’s great that they took more of a look (at achievements rather) than just wins and losses.””
Boddy owned a 14-13-2 record on the year, but that wasn’t what earned him the nomination to the All-Star team. He faced 1,304 shots in 29 games this season and he turned away 1,204 of them, good enough for a save percentage of .923. Boddy was also tied for sixth in the country with five shutouts on the season and was fifth in the nation in total minutes played.
The Bozeman, Mont., native completed his Icecat career in dominant fashion as he led the team to a 9-4-1 record in the second half of the season. Two of those wins were shutout victories against the Sun Devils.
He finished his career with the highest save percentage (.919) and the most career points (12) of any goaltender in Icecats’ history.
“”I wasn’t surprised he made (the All-Star team),”” said Icecats head coach Leo Golembiewski. “”He was a four year project and he turned out to be one of the greatest goaltenders we ever had.””
As the season progressed, Boddy became the leader of the team and a player who a lot his teammates respected for his play.
“”He’s definitely one of the best goalies in the league. That’s why he made the All-Star team,”” said Icecat forward Jordan Schupan. “”He helped us become better shooters.
“” … When you have to go up against the best in practice, it helps you’re shooting.”” Schupan added. “”It’s something that he really deserves and it’s going to be really hard to replace him next year.””
Boddy will receive his degree in civil engineering in December, but hopes to continue his hockey career.
This weekend may present a great opportunity to impress potential scouts in attendance and perhaps lengthen his competitive playing days as a goaltender.
“”I wouldn’t be surprised if there are scouts there,”” Boddy said, “”but with this potentially being my last game I just want to go out there and have fun playing against some of the top guys in the league.””
