SHREWSBURY, N.J. – The ECHL on Thursday announced that Cam Johnson of the Florida Everblades is the recipient of the Nick Vitucci Award as the ECHL Goaltender of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

Johnson joins Jeff Jakaitis (2013-14 and 2014-15) as the only back-to-back winners of the award since it was introduced for the 1993-94 season.

The Nick Vitucci ECHL Goaltender of the Year award is presented annually to the goaltender selected to be the best at his position as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members.

In 2022, the award was named in honor of Nick Vitucci, who was part of the first-ever induction class into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008. Vitucci enjoyed a 26-year association with the League, beginning in the inaugural season of 1988-89 when he backstopped the Carolina Thunderbirds to the Riley Cup title, the first of his ECHL-record five championships, and received the Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award.

Jack LaFontaine of Kansas City finished second, followed by Wheeling’s Taylor Gauthier, Brad Arvanitis of Maine and Atlanta’s T.J. Semptimphelter.

The winner of the Warrior Hockey Most Valuable Player award will be announced on Friday.

Johnson, who was named to the All-ECHL First Team last week, led the ECHL in wins (31), minutes played (2,965) and goals-against average (1.84) while ranking fourth in save percentage (.923) and tied for ninth in shutouts (3). His 1.84 goals-against average is tied as the third-lowest in a single-season in the League’s 38-year history and he became just the eighth goaltender in ECHL history to win at least 30 games in multiple seasons.

He allowed two goals or less in 37 of his 49 appearances, was named ECHL Goaltender of rhe Week on two occasions and moved into a tie for third place on the League’s career shutout list with 20.

Nick Vitucci ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award Winners
2025-26    Cam Johnson, Florida Everblades
2024-25    Cam Johnson, Florida Everblades
2023-24    Taylor Gauthier, Wheeling Nailers
2022-23    John Lethemon, Toledo Walleye
2021-22    Francois Brassard, Jacksonville Icemen
2020-21    Jake Hildebrand, Florida Everblades
2019-20    Tomas Sholl, Idaho Steelheads
2018-19    Michael Houser, Cincinnati Cyclones
2017-18    Parker Milner, South Carolina Stingrays
2016-17    Riley Gill, Allen Americans
2015-16    Josh Robinson, Missouri Mavericks
2014-15    Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays
2013-14    Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays
2012-13    Ryan Zapolski, South Carolina Stingrays
2011-12    Jeff Jakaitis, Gwinnett Gladiators
2010-11    Gerald Coleman, Alaska Aces
2009-10    Todd Ford, South Carolina Stingrays
2008-09    Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, Alaska Aces
2007-08    Anton Khudobin, Texas Wildcatters
2006-07    Adam Berkhoel, Dayton Bombers
2005-06    Matt Underhill, Alaska Aces
2004-05    Chris Madden, Florida Everblades/Long Beach Ice Dogs
2003-04    Scott Stirling, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
2002-03    Alfie Michaud, Peoria Rivermen
2001-02    Frederic Cloutier, Louisiana IceGators
2000-01    Scott Stirling, Trenton Titans
1999-00    Jan Lasak, Hampton Roads Admirals
1998-99    Maxime Gingras, Richmond Renegades
1997-98    Nick Vitucci, Toledo Storm
1996-97    Marc Delorme, Louisiana IceGators
1995-96    Alain Morissette, Louisville RiverFrogs
1994-95    Chris Gordon, Huntington Blizzard
1993-94    Cory Cadden, Knoxville Cherokees

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