David Littman (ice hockey)

Last updated
David Littman
Born (1967-06-13) June 13, 1967 (age 56)
Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Right
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Tampa Bay Lightning
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL Draft 211th overall, 1987
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 1989–2000

David K. Littman (born June 13, 1967) is an American former ice hockey goaltender. He played three games in the National Hockey League: two with the Buffalo Sabres and one with the Tampa Bay Lightning between 1991 and 1993. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1989 to 2000, was mainly spent in the minor International Hockey League. He was drafted in the eleventh round, 211th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Sabres. Internationally Littman played for the American national team at the 1994 World Championships.

Contents

Playing career

Collegiate

Littman spent four years at Boston College studying communications. In his senior year, Littman served as one of three captains on the team as the Eagles qualified for the NCAA final eight. He ended his season with .912 saves and a .895 percentage. [1] In 2000, his BC record of 2,548 career saves was broken by Scott Clemmensen. [2] As a result, he was selected for the AHCA East Second-Team All-American. [3] He was drafted in the eleventh round, 211th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. [4]

Professional

Littman attended the Sabres training camp but was reassigned to their International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, to begin the 1989–90 season. [5] However, the 1990–91 would prove to be a breakout season for him. On January 29, 1991, Littman made his NHL debut by replacing Darcy Wakaluk in the second period. Littman saved 15 of 18 shots in an 8–3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. [6] Upon their return to the IHL, both Littman and Wakaluk also set a new Rochester record for most points and assists by a goaltender with seven each. [7] He was also selected for the 1991 All-Star Game. Littman shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding goaltender, with teammate Darcy Wakaluk. [8]

The following year, he was again the recipient of the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award. [9]

On August 28, 1992, Littman signed with the new NHL expansion team, the Tampa Bay Lightning. [10] Although he began the season in the minor leagues with the Atlanta Knights, Littman was recalled to the NHL in November 1992. [11] His stay in the National Hockey League was short-lived and he was reassigned to the IHL. He became a free agent at the end of the season. [12]

As a result of his successful stints with the Atlanta Knights, Littman was selected to compete with Team USA at the 1994 IIHF World Championship, where they finished fourth in the tournament. Before his retirement, Littman played with the IHL's Orlando Solar Bears, recording 53 wins over two years before a career-ending knee injury. [13]

Later life

After working for the Solar Bears as a color commentator, Littman joined EA Sports. He began as a quality assurance associate but later was promoted to producer on the NHL series of games. [14]

Personal life

Littman was born in Queens, New York, but grew up on Long Island. His family moved to Rhode Island prior to his acceptance to Boston College. [13] Littman was raised Jewish. [15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1984–85 New Hampton School HS-NH—————————————————
1984–85Oyster Bay GullsNYJHL—————————————————
1985–86 Boston College HE 74013121803.46—————————
1986–87 Boston CollegeHE21155011826803.45—————————
1987–88 Boston CollegeHE3011162172611604.03—————————
1988–89 Boston CollegeHE321994194510703.30—————————
1989–90 Rochester Americans AHL 145616813703.26.8791———————
1989–90 Phoenix Roadrunners IHL 1887210476403.67—————————
1990–91 Buffalo Sabres NHL 100036305.04.833————————
1990–91 Rochester AmericansAHL5633135315516033.04.8828423781602.54—
1991–92 Buffalo SabresNHL101060404.00.862————————
1991–92 Rochester AmericansAHL6028209349817232.95.90115878794312.94.901
1992–93 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL101046709.24.667————————
1992–93 Atlanta Knights IHL4423124239013403.36.879312178802.70.879
1993–94 Providence Bruins AHL251011313858303.60.889————————
1993–94 Fredericton Canadiens AHL168708726304.33.870————————
1994–95 Richmond Renegades ECHL 84203461312.25.910171249533732.33—
1995–96 Los Angeles Ice Dogs IHL4317165224514513.88.871————————
1996–97 San Antonio Dragons IHL4520165243713823.40.9014132301102.87.924
1997–98 Orlando Solar Bears IHL4421136230310202.66.91416889664812.98.892
1998–99 Orlando Solar BearsIHL5532171298114422.90.90020046405.22.810
1999–00 Orlando Solar BearsIHL2110119703.52.879————————
NHL totals30201421405.95.794————————

International

YearTeamEventGPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
1994 United States WC 101045608.00.818
Senior totals101045608.00.818

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-Hockey East Second Team 1987–88 [16]
All-Hockey East First Team 1988–89 [16]
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 1988–89 [3]

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References

  1. ↑ "Stars who will be missed after careers at BC". The Heights. May 1, 1989. Lock-green.svg
  2. ↑ "Hockey Prepares To Take On Harvard Saturday Night". bceagles.com. November 22, 2000. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "1988-1989 All-Americans". ahcahockey.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  4. ↑ "THERE'S NO BLUE-RIBBON TALENT DEVELOPING DOWN ON SABRES' FARM". The Buffalo News. February 25, 1992. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  5. ↑ DiCesare, Bob (September 22, 1989). "WAKALUK, LOEWEN, AUDETTE SENT TO AMERKS AS 27 ARE CUT". The Buffalo News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ Wechsler, Bob (2008). Day by Day in Jewish Sports History. KTAV Publishing House, Inc. p. 29. ISBN   9780881259698.
  7. ↑ "2018 AHL Affiliate Media Guide" (PDF). sabresmedia. p. 350. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  8. ↑ "A HALL OF FAME NIGHT TO REMEMEBR". amerks.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "HARRY "HAP" HOLMES MEMORIAL AWARD". ahlhalloffame.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Transactions". Joplin Globe. August 28, 1992. p. 15. Lock-green.svg
  11. ↑ "Transactions". Frederick News Post. November 3, 1992. p. 14. Lock-green.svg
  12. ↑ "Hockey:Free Agents List". Gettysburg Times. Pennsylvania. June 16, 1992. p. 10. Lock-green.svg
  13. 1 2 Roman J. Uschak (December 2013). "From Crease To Console: From NHL'er to Video Gamer". USA Hockey Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  14. ↑ Littman, David (November 12, 2008). "GOING FROM HOCKEY PLAYER TO VIDEO GAME PRODUCER". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  15. ↑ Rosen, Harvey (October 21, 2009). "HANDFUL OF JEWISH SKATERS START NHL SEASON". Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  16. 1 2 "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Hap Holmes Memorial Award
1990–91 (with Darcy Wakaluk)
1991–92		Succeeded by
Preceded by Hockey East Goaltending Champion
1988–89 		Succeeded by
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