Thursday, March 27, 2008

O'Keefe leaves Bulldogs for AHL

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Ferris State goaltender Mitch O'Keefe signed an amateur tryout contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League Tuesday.

For the 2007-08 season, O'Keefe turned in a 10-8-5 record between the posts with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage as a starter in 22 of 24 outings. He received CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors on Oct. 29 as a result of making 37 saves in a 3-0 league home triumph over nationally-ranked Notre Dame (Oct. 27). Among the 2007-08 national statistical leaders to date, O'Keefe currently ranks 17th in save percentage, 22nd in goals-against average, and 28th in winning percentage.

In his three seasons (2005-08) at Ferris State, O'Keefe compiled a 31-39-15 career mark with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in 86 appearances.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound netminder concluded his collegiate career ranking second among Ferris' career leaders in goals-against average, tied for second in shutouts (six), third in save percentage, fifth in both victories and minutes played (5,073), tied for fifth in games played, sixth in total saves. and eighth in winning percentage (.453).

In his initial season at FSU, O'Keefe was selected the Bulldogs' 2005-06 Rookie of the Year Award winner after his 14 victories in net tied for the sixth most single-season wins in the program's history. His 828 saves for the campaign represented the sixth highest output in Ferris State annals.

O'Keefe played an integral role in helping Ferris State to an 18-16-5 overall record for the 2007-08 season as the Bulldogs captured fifth-place in the CCHA with a 12-12-4 league mark. Ferris' 18 victories and fifth-place league finish were the program's highest since the 2002-03 season.

Photo courtesy Ferris State Athletics

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Does this leave Nagle as the undisputed #1 or does FSU have someone else waiting to challenge?