Goaltender Maxine Gingras has joined the Mobile Mysticks from the East Coast Hockey League's Richmond Renegades in exchange for future considerations.
Gingras, 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds, has posted a 11-5-3 record for the Renegades in 22 games this season with a 3.24 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage.
"I try to move fast and get in front of the puck," Gingras said. "Even if I'm 5-6 and not too heavy, I still try to play big in front of the puck so I move my feet pretty quick to get in front of the play."
This third-year pro complied a 30-13-3 mark during the 1998-99 season in which Richmond lost to the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the seventh game of the Kelly Cup Finals.
He set several ECHL records that season, including goals-against average (2.26), shutouts (seven) and save percentage (.924). Two years ago in the playoffs, Gingras set an ECHL post-season record with five shutouts.
This 22-year-old was also named ECHL Rookie and Goaltender of the Year for the 1998-99 season and started in the 1999 ECHL All-Star Game in Biloxi.
"The bottom line is that we saw an opportunity to improve our hockey team," said Mysticks general manager Steve Chapman. "Gingras is one of the best goaltenders in the ECHL. With this Mobile team, we believe that we have a solid opportunity to win in the playoffs and we need to take advantage of every opportunity that we can."
The Mysticks will carry three goaltenders on the roster for now - Chris Wickenheiser and Dave Haimson, who have been with the club for the entire season, will remain.
"We had a situation where we weren't totally happy with the goaltending that we had right now," said Mysticks head coach Jeff Pyle. "Gingras is coming in with the opportunity to show what he can do and we're going to give him the chance to be our number one goaltender."
Pyle adds that he recruited Gingras for the Mysticks during his first year with the organization but there was no room for him on the roster along with Chad Alban and Steve DeBus.
Gingras said he can adjust quickly to working with new teammates - last season he went back and forth nine times among four teams.
He competed for the American Hockey League's Providence Bruins (3-9-1), the International Hockey League's Houston Aeros (0-1-0), Orlando Solar Bears (0-0-0) and the Renegades (5-1-1).
"I am excited to be here and it's the first time I'll get to play regularly against Southern Conference teams," Gingras said. "There's a lot of talent here and most of the guys I've never played against so it's going to be a new challenge and I'm looking forward to it.
"From everything I hear, Mobile has a solid club with good playoff potential and the organization has a great reputation with players in the league."
Gingras is scheduled to start in goal for the Mysticks Friday at 7 p.m. on the road against the Jackson Bandits.
(C) Mobile Register.