After impressing Vancouver Canucks brass two years ago, Michael Garteig never left their radar.
Just a few weeks after Garteig’s season ended with a loss in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Frozen Four championship, the Canucks signed him to a one-year entry-level contract on April 29.
“I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve been in contact with Vancouver since our season ended. It was just a matter of time before it got done,” said Garteig, who because of his age, 24, could only sign for one year.
According to generalfanager.com, his deal is for $925,000 if he plays in the NHL and $70,000 in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets. He also received a $92,500 signing bonus. The one-year, two-way entry level contract begins next season.
“Obviously, really excited about the opportunity with Vancouver. To come back to a B.C. team, it’s pretty special for me and my family,” said Garteig, who played in the BCHL for the Powell River Kings and won a national championship with the Penticton Vees in 2012.
While there were other NHL teams interested in Garteig’s services, the Prince George native said there were several things that factored into him signing with Vancouver, though he didn’t get into details. When it came to the signing process, he said the Canucks handled it well and kept in touch with him throughout the two years after he attended their development camp.
“That really helped out with my decision,” said Garteig, adding the organization had a regional scout who watched several Bobcats games.
The former two-time BCHL goalie of the year admitted there is some pressure to perform so he can earn another contract with the Canucks, but he intends to “turn some heads.”
“Obviously they know who I am by now. I want to go to camp and I want to show them what I can do,” said Garteig. “I have confidence in my ability to do well. I just think that given the opportunity, I can succeed.”
Garteig and the Bobcats lost the Frozen Four championship 5-1 to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. For the season, Garteig was 32-4-7 with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage with eight shutouts. Garteig’s 32 wins and eight shutouts were Quinnipiac records. For his career, Garteig posted a 78-25-16 record across three seasons as the Bobcats’ starting goalie, breaking Quinnipiac’s career records in wins (78), shutouts (19) and goals-against average (1.96).
Garteig also finished his career as just the fourth player in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey history to record 19 shutouts for his career joining Ryan Miller (26), Joe Fallon (20) and Ben Scrivens (19). In addition, Garteig’s 78 career wins rank 15th all-time while his 1.96 career GAA ranks 11th all-time.
His most recent honour came in the NCAA tournament when he was named the NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player after back-stopping the Bobcats to a pair of wins against RIT and UMass Lowell to send Quinnipiac to its second NCAA Frozen Four in four seasons. Garteig was also the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Hockey Goalie of the Month in October, November and December and was also honoured by the Hockey Commissioner’s Association as the National Player of the Month for November.
“Michael Garteig has cemented himself in the history of our program and college hockey,” Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold said in a team statement after the signing. “He came in and knew what he had to do to be great, and he was just that. His work ethic and overall talent will help him to be successful in his professional career. We’re thrilled for Michael, and wish him all the best with the Vancouver Canucks.”
Garteig was also among the finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s best player. He said it was nice being nominated, but his focus was on a national championship.
“To me winning is more important than any individual accolade,” he said.
When talking about his highlights as a Bobcat, they are all about the team. Advancing to the Frozen Four twice, making the NCAA playoffs every year and winning the ECAC championship three of four years. The berths into the Frozen Four were the first in the program’s history.
“I played with an amazing group of people here at Quinnipiac,” he said. “Without the opportunity that Quinnipaic has given me I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m very grateful for everything here.”
