BOISE, Idaho -
Nicholas Grabko, former goalie for the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, has signed his first professional deal with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. Grabko has already made one appearance for the Steelheads since signing.
"Nick is someone who has been a great competitor for us," said head coach
Erik Largen. "We are looking forward to seeing him make his mark in the pro ranks."
Grabko spent just one season with the Nanooks, coming north after four seasons with Bentley Univ. (NCAA). There he played in 56 games, posting a 19-35-2 record with two shutouts. This season, he made a career-high 20 appearances and had a 5-11-4 record in net for Alaska. He also posted one shutout while having a 2.74 GAA and .899 save percentage. Grabko was the Nanooks lone Hobey Baker nominee, and 13 20-save performances and five 30-save performances, including a 37-save shutout win at No. 18/18 Notre Dame on Oct. 19, and a 39-save, one-goal win at Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 4. The 39 saves made at UMD was a single-game high for the Nanooks this season.
From 11/29-1/4, Grabko made an average of 31.4 saves per game, and had a .925 save percentage in that five-game span. On Oct. 31, Grabko was named the October 2024 NCAA Division I Independent Hockey Co-Goalie of the Month. Grabko had a solid start to his first season as a Nanook, posting a 2.37 goals against average and .922 save percentage in his first five contests with Alaska. His save percentage at the time was atop all independent goaltenders this season.
Grabko's 37-save shutout against No. 18/18 Notre Dame helped the Nanooks pull off the upset and earn their first win this season. The performance was highlighted by a spectacular diving save with 5:55 remaining in the second, with the netminder diving across the crease to make a second save after an initial save moments before. The diving stop kept Notre Dame off the board and helped secure the victory.
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