Lehtonen Among World's Top Three NHL Prospects
February 26, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves goaltender Kari Lehtonen has been named the No. 3 National Hockey League prospect in the world by The Hockey News behind left wing Alexander Ovechkin and defenseman Dion Phaneuf. The 21-year-old netminder was named the top NHL prospect by the publication in 2003 and 2004.
Lehtonen, who was the starting goaltender for the American Hockey League¹s PlanetUSA All-Star Team in the 2005 AHL All-Star Classic, ranks third in the league with 25 wins, 2,473:26 minutes played and 1,232 saves. He has registered a 25-15-2 mark with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage in 42 games this season.
The Atlanta Thrashers¹ first pick and second overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft has also been recognized by The Hockey News this season as the league¹s first-half MVP and the No. 1 AHL prospect. He was named the AHL¹s goaltender of the month for December after recording a 9-1-0 mark, a 1.70 goals-against average, a .948 save percentage and two shutouts.
Last year, Lehtonen accrued a 20-14-2 record, a 2.41 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 39 games with the Wolves during his rookie season. He also recorded a perfect 4-0-0 mark in as many games with Atlanta last season, including his first NHL shutout on March 27 against the Florida Panthers.
The Helsinki, Finland, native was honored by the The Hockey News as the 2004 minor pro prospect of the year and served as the backup goaltender for runner-up Finland in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
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