The league is two steps down from the NHL, but that doesn’t stop professional hockey players from pursuing its championship (and acting like boys when they win it all).
That’s the case of Prince George’s Michael Garteig, who was the all-star goaltender for the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL, helping his team claim the 2019 Kelly Cup by beating the Toledo Walleye in six games.
The 27-year-old alum of Prince George’s Minor Hockey Association (PGMHA) was already a B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) and National Junior ‘A’ champion with the Penticton Vees in 2012 and a United States college champion with Quinnipiac University entering the finals.
“It’s really indescribable and it’s been so much fun the last couple of days,” said Garteig to PrinceGeorgeMatters. “I’m really lucky to play [in St. John’s, Newfoundland] with a lot of passionate and caring people. Not to discredit anything I’ve done in the past and any other championship I’ve won because each one is different and they’ve all been amazing. I think, at this moment, this ranks up there as the highest feeling; we played 98 games this year which is insane. And this is professional hockey, you know, you get paid to play and you’re with guys that have been through the ranks. We’re all just so excited to win.”
ECHL Champions. It’s been a long road, but I’m so thankful for this journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador. pic.twitter.com/eSNnkwtenY
— Michael Garteig (@michaelgarteig) June 5, 2019
Taking the top prize of the ECHL, which is the official ‘AA’ minor hockey league in North America, came with 16 wins for Garteig as he started in all 23 playoff games and recorded three shutouts, a 2.19 goals-against-average (GAA), and a .928 save-percentage (SV%).
Newfoundland also won the title in their first full season has a hockey club, and are the ‘AA’ affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The atmosphere in St. John’s was anything but quiet all year long, according to Garteig.
“That’s what makes it so special. You’re not in a big city where you’re lost in the crowd, everyone knows who you are, it’s a small-town feel, but they love their hockey and they love their sports. We sold-out every game, even though we lost some times, and we had such crazy fans. People honked their horns downtown and people cheered in the streets. We even had Kyle Dubas [General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs] was here regularly watching games, like, about 15 to 20 times in the year. All of it was really cool.”
Garteig’s career has taken him to many places after college.
The undrafted goaltender was signed by the Vancouver Canucks in April 2016 to a one-year, entry-level contract before being sent to Utica in the American Hockey League (AHL), and after eight starts there, he was then sent down to the Canucks’ ‘AA’ club in Alaska.
In 2018, Garteig signed an ECHL contract with Newfoundland where he played 43 regular-season games this past year ahead of the championship playoff run.
He explains, regardless of where hockey takes him next, he’s always grateful for the grassroots program in B.C.’s northern capital that kickstarted his passion.
“I’m a very proud person of where I’m from,” he said. “I grew up my whole life in Prince George; I’ve got great hockey friends and coaches and a couple of us are still playing. I think I’m the only 1991-born player that’s still going, so I take a lot of pride in Prince George. It’s a great program.”
Garteig also made history with the Growlers as they’re the first Canadian team to win the ECHL Kelly Cup in its 22-year history.
He plans on returning to Prince George for the summer visiting family and friends, but doesn’t know when or if he’ll be able to bring the 80-pound trophy with him.
