2008 Woodie Awards
Lapointe Sends A Message At Red Wings Camp
Brad HollandAssistant Editor
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: Sports
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Meet Kevin Lapointe.
Kevin Lapointe, welcome to the NHL.
This past week, in Traverse City, Michigan, the NHL's Detroit Red Wings welcomed former SHU goaltender Kevin Lapointe to their annual training camp.
Lapointe, or "Lappy," as he is affectionately known to his teammates, competed for a spot on one of the NHL's oldest and most storied franchises. He faced the likes of AHL regulars, NHL fringe players, NHL regulars, and even some NHL superstars.
"It sends shivers up my spine," SHU Men's Ice Hockey coach Shaun Hannah said, when he thinks of those kinds of shooters throwing pucks at his former number one goaltender. "It's the chance of a lifetime, and one he'll never forget."
Lapointe signed a contract earlier this summer to be a part of the Muskegeon Fury of the United Hockey League. But he was as surprised as anyone that he would be getting an opportunity like this one so soon after leaving college hockey.
"I was pumped to hear about the news myself...my agent had been talking to (the) Florida (Panthers) all summer and then this happened," Lapointe said, just before training camp. "I wasn't expecting it, but I'm very excited to get this opportunity and hopefully I can make the most of it."
Making the most of opportunities is Lapointe's forte; if there's one thing he enjoys, it's a challenge.
He even has a history of being a giant slayer.
He was the first goalie from the MAAC (now Atlantic) Hockey Conference to defeat a CCHA opponent. As a sophomore, he defeated the University of Miami-Ohio 2-1.
Coach Hannah considers the Miami-Ohio game to be one of Lapointe's finest moments as a member of the Pioneers.
"The Miami-Ohio game stated to everyone on our team that he would be a real starting goaltender," Hannah said. "He was a sophomore that year, playing behind Ferhi, and that game solidified his role and really gave everyone in the locker room the sense that we had something not only for the present, but for the next 2 years after Ferhi left."