Ice Dogs add former NCAA star Grogan between the pipes

The Sydney Ice Dogs have announced experienced NCAA and ECHL goaltender Matthew Grogan will be the team’s starting netminder for the 2015 season.

26-year old Grogan comes with plenty of accolades from his five seasons playing NCAA Division 1 with the University of Connecticut, including being named Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) goaltender of the year and third All-Conference team in 2012/13.

In fact, Grogan’s 1.93 GAA and .937 save percentage for the 2013 season was good enough for eighth and tenth respectively in NCAA Division 1 nationally. Overall, in 59 games, Grogan had a 2.35 GAA and 0.924 save percentage in his college career.

Having graduated from college with a sociology degree in May 2014, Grogan joined the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. However, injury cut his time short, meaning he could only play four games before taking time off to recover.

“I was recovering from an injury and missed the season in the States,” Grogan said. “The AIHL season is during the off-season back in the States. I am recovered and itching to play. I asked my agent about AIHL and the Ice Dogs reached out with a great opportunity. I have also played against some other goalies from the States who have played in the AIHL. I thought what a great opportunity to travel to another continent and play hockey.”

Ice Dogs general manager Anthony Wilson said that Grogan was joining club at a pivotal time and that Grogan was a key to help develop young Australian goalkeepers, including new backup Jake Burgess.

“Grogan will mentor Burgess into developing into a number one goaltender in our league and there is no better person to do it,”  said Wilson. “I am very excited to have Matt join our team. Having played NCAA as well as East Coast Hockey, he is going to bring speed, poise and strength to our last line of defence, which is really important this season.”

Arriving over the weekend, Grogan hasn’t yet had the chance to meet Burgess but is looking forward to working closely with his 20-year old backup.

“I understand how important it can be to have a good Australian goalkeeper in the AIHL,” Grogan said. “I hear he also plays in the Coastal league, which is great. I hope we have some time to train together and help each other out. I'll help him in any way I can. I'm excited to see him at practice soon.”

With the new look Ice Dogs squad sporting a significantly younger average age and experience level, Grogan was keen to meet the entire team and get started.

“I am hoping the youth gives me some extra energy,” Grogan said. “Every season is a new challenge and I look forward to it. You never know what can happen during a season. Just going to take it one day at a time and try and give my team a chance every game. I would love to go on a run during playoffs, young or not.”

Having been a successful goaltender in his career so far, Grogan has had plenty of highlights including making two NCAA league final fours in his time at Uconn and playing in the ECHL. In that time, Grogan has developed a few ideas on what makes a good goalkeeper.

“A good goalkeeper stops pucks and manages the game,” Grogan said. “The timing, pressures, disciplines and a lot of training and puck luck also helps. But the goalkeeper is the last line of defence. The forwards and defence are pivotal to good team goaltending.”

While Grogan will only play for the Ice Dogs in 2015 before returning to the US to return to his pro career, he is open to opportunities and understands that he’s lucky to play the game he loves all over the world.

“[In the future, I want to] continue to build my game and see where hockey takes me,” Grogan said. “I want to take advantage of these times that I can travel and play hockey because I know it won't last forever.”

Grogan arrived in Australia over the weekend and could get his first start for the Ice Dogs in his new teams’ final Wilson Cup pre-season game against the Newcastle North Stars in Newcastle on Sunday April 12.