Kyle McClellan (ice hockey)

Kyle McClellan
McClellan with the Wisconsin Badgers in December 2023
Born (1999-03-18) March 18, 1999 (age 25)
Manchester, Missouri, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
AHL team Iowa Wild
NHL draft Undrafted

Kyle McClellan (born March 18, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL). He played college ice hockey at Mercyhurst and Wisconsin. He won the Mike Richter Award as a senior in 2024.

Playing career

College

McClellan began his college ice hockey at Mercyhurst during the 2020–21 season. During his freshman year he made six starts for the Lakers, and posted a 2–4–0 record, with a 2.03 goals against average (GAA) and .932 save percentage. He recorded his first career shutout on February 19, 2021, against Niagara. During the 2021–22 season, in his sophomore year, he made 26 starts, and posted a 12–13–2 record, with a 2.56 GAA and .932 save percentage.[1]

In April 2022, McClellan transferred to Wisconsin.[2] During the 2022–23 season, in his junior year, he served as backup goaltender to Jared Moe, and posted a 3–6–0 record in 12 starts, with a 3.57 GAA and .883 save percentage.[3]

During the 2023–24 season, in his senior year, he posted a 24–12–1 record, with a 1.94 GAA, and .931 save percentage. He helped lead Wisconsin from last place in the conference the previous year to the Big Ten Conference's runner-up and earned an NCAA Tournament berth. He led the NCAA with a .931 save percentage and seven shutouts, ranked second with a 1.94 GAA and fourth with 24 victories. His seven shutouts ranks second on Wisconsin's single-season list, one shy of the program record eight set by Brian Elliott in 2006. Following an outstanding season he was named All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.[4][5] He was also named the Mike Richter Award winner and a AHCA West Second Team All-American.[6] He became the first Badger goaltender to be named an All-American since Brian Elliott in 2006.[7]

He finished his collegiate career with an overall record of 41–35–3, with a 2.35 GAA and .926 save percentage in 82 games.[8]

Professional

On April 8, 2024, McClellan signed an amateur tryout (ATO) with the Iowa Wild of the AHL for the remainder of the 2023–24 AHL season, and a one-year, one-way contract for the 2024–25 season.[9][10][11]

Personal life

McClellan was born to Rich and Julie McClellan, and has one brother, Chase. He earned an undergraduate degree in personal finance and is pursuing a master's degree in real estate.[1][12]

Career statistics

Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2018–19 Austin Bruins NAHL 44 22 17 4 2,547 98 5 2.31 .915
2019–20 Omaha Lancers USHL 32 16 7 4 1,657 66 3 2.39 .909
2020–21 Mercyhurst University AHA 6 2 4 0 355 12 1 2.03 .932
2021–22 Mercyhurst University AHA 27 12 13 2 1,617 69 3 2.56 .932
2022–23 University of Wisconsin B1G 12 3 6 0 571 34 0 3.57 .883
2023–24 University of Wisconsin B1G 37 24 12 1 2,198 71 7 1.94 .931
NCAA totals 82 41 35 3 4,741 186 11 2.35 .926

Awards and honors

Award Year
College
All-Big Ten First Team 2024 [13]
Big Ten Goaltender of the Year 2024
Mike Richter Award 2024 [6]
AHCA West Second Team All-American 2024

References

  1. ^ a b "Kyle McClellan". hurstathletics.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (April 2, 2022). "Why this goalie thought the Wisconsin men's hockey team was the right transfer destination for him". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "Kyle McClellan". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Stewart, Mark (March 19, 2024). "Wisconsin hockey's Kyle McClellan named Big Ten goalie of the year". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "McClellan a top-10 Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist". uwbadgers.com. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "McClellan wins Mike Richter Award, named All-American". uwbadgers.com. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Stewart, Mark (April 13, 2024). "Wisconsin goaltender Kyle McClellan wins the Mike Richter Award". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Sheridan, Mathieu (April 12, 2024). "Wisconsin's Kyle McClellan wins Mike Richter Award". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Iowa Wild Signs Goaltender Kyle McClellan". iowawild.com. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Stewart, Mark (April 8, 2024). "Wisconsin men's hockey loses Kyle McClellan, Cruz Lucius, adds a transferring goaltender". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (April 7, 2024). "Award-winning Wisconsin men's hockey player signs pro contract". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Shah, Jashvina (March 27, 2024). "McClellan Flipped His Fortunes". collegehockeynews.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "Big Ten Conference Announces Hockey Postseason Awards". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. March 19, 2024. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Big Ten Goaltender of the Year
2023–24 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Mike Richter Award
2023–24 		Succeeded by
Incumbent