Paul Fricker

Last updated
Paul Fricker
Born (1960-10-20) October 20, 1960 (age 62)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Michigan
Binghamton Whalers
Oklahoma City Stars
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
NHL Draft 176th, 1980
Hartford Whalers
Playing career 1979–1985
Coaching career
Biographical details
Alma mater University of Michigan
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1986–1987 Delta Flyers
2004–2011 Seattle Thunderbirds (goalie)
2011–2013 Vancouver Giants (goalie)
2014–PresentVancouver Giants (goalie)
Head coaching record
Overall29–23–0 (.558)

Paul David Allen Fricker is a Canadian retired ice hockey goaltender who was an All-American for Michigan. [1]

Contents

Career

While born in Toronto, Fricker played his junior hockey in British Columbia, reaching the WHL for 1 game 1979. Because it was just a single game, Fricker was able to retain his college eligibility by not receiving payment for his services. That fall he began attending Michigan in the final recruiting class for Dan Farrell. Fricker played 35 games and helped the team recover from a dismal season the year before by winning 20 games and lifting the Wolverines up to 4th in the conference. [2] Though the team was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, Fricker had made enough of a name for himself to be drafted by the Hartford Whalers. [3]

Entering his second season, Fricker got a new head coach in Wilf Martin, however, the bench boss lasted just 4 games due to ill health and was replaced by John Giordano. [4] [5] The change didn't seem to bother Fricker as he posted very similar marks to what he had the year before and was named an All-American. This time he was able to help the Wolverines win their first round matchup but were helpless against Michigan Tech in the second round and lost 2–9 on aggregate. After the season Fricker passed on his final two years of eligibility and signed a professional contract with the Whalers.

He began the next season in Hartford's minor league system, playing the bulk of the year with the Oklahoma City Stars before transitioning to the AHL in 1982. Fricker showed promise in his first full season with Binghamton, splitting time in net, but his numbers ballooned in 1984 and he was released by Hartford after the year. Fricker played 4 games the following year before calling it a career and returned home.

Fricker became the head coach for the Delta Flyers in 1986 but lasted just a season behind the bench. A few years later he founded 'The Goalie Store' a small business that manufactured custom ice hockey and lacrosse goaltending equipment. On the company website, Fricker would post articles giving tips about how to play the position and he was able to parlay that knowledge into eventually becoming the goaltending coach for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Fricker remained with Seattle for seven years before taking the same job closer to home with the Vancouver Giants. [6] He was let go 11 games into his third season after the team's terrible start. [7] Fricker was only gone from the Giants for a short time and he was brought back to his former post when there was no sign of improvement from the team's two starters. He continues to serve in that capacity as of 2021.

Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1977–78 Vancouver Jr. Canucks PJHL ————180017405.80—————————
1978–79 Richmond Sockeyes PJHL ————163010003.68—————————
1978–79 Victoria Cougars WHL 110040304.50.842————————
1979–80 Michigan WCHA 3520122203214804.37.883————————
1980–81 Michigan WCHA 3418150195512803.93.891————————
1981–82 Oklahoma City Stars CHL 4412280236318704.75.8762———————
1981–82 Binghamton Whalers AHL 200080705.25—————————
1982–83 Binghamton Whalers AHL 3913183212713013.67.8852———————
1983–84 Binghamton Whalers AHL 3010172173114935.16.854————————
1984–85 Salt Lake Golden Eagles IHL 4————————————————
NCAA totals6938272398727604.15.887————————
AHL totals7123355393828644.36—————————

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular season
GWLTPtsFinish
Delta Flyers 1986–87 5229230583rd in Coastal Conference

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WCHA Second Team 1980–81 [8]
AHCA West All-American 1980–81 [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Through The Years" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Paul Fricker". Hockey Draft Central. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Michigan hockey coach steps down". The Milwaukee Sentinel. November 28, 1980.
  5. ↑ Martha Crall (February 11, 1981). "It's official: Giordano named permanent icer coach". The Michigan Daily.
  6. ↑ "Paul Fricker Named Giants Goaltending Coach". Vancouver Giants. May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Vancouver Giants part ways with goalie coach Paul Fricker after lacklustre start to WHL season". The Province. October 21, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  8. ↑ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
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