NORTH CHARLESTON, SC- Coach Jared Bednar may have startled a few South Carolina fans when he started rookie goaltender James Reimer and watched him win game three of the ECHL Kelly cup finals 4-2 against the Alaska Aces last night. Reimer’s start was not however, a surprise to long-term watchers of Bednar. Importantly, it was also not a surprise to his team and his two goalies.
Bednar, 36 is in his 14th season with the South Carolina Stingrays having helped the Stingrays win the Kelly Cup in 1997 and 2001 playing defense on those championship teams. He is in his second year as the South Carolina Stingrays’ Head Coach and General Manager after serving five years as an assistant coach for the team.
Jared Bednar%2C photo courtesy South Carolina Stingrays
In a world filled with exceptions Bednar stayed true to what he told his two goalies, Jonathan Boutin and James Reimer before the playoffs started. Once they started they would keep starting until they lost. Bednar has always been vocal that he thought most successful playoff runs come when teams are two deep in the goalie position.
Both Boutin and Reimer came as late season acquisitions to fill behind the loss of two excellent goalies lost in mid season to a call up and a signing in Europe. Since their arrival Boutin and Reimer have played equally well. The edge might go to Boutin simply because he was with the ‘Rays for more games appearing in 21 contests in the regular season for South Carolina. Reimer played in five regular season games with South Carolina after joining the team in mid March.
Boutin, age 24, who turned pro in 2005, also has the edge in experience over Reimer, a rookie, who is on loan the Stingrays’ from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Reimer had split his time playing mainly with the ECHL’s Reading Royals and had a cup of coffee with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies prior to coming to the low country.
The Victoria Salmon Kings provided Boutin to the Rays via a trade for future considerations. He was the odd man out on a roster with three goalies. The other two goalies were under AHL contracts and were given priority over Boutin who was on an ECHL contract even though many fans thought he may have been the strongest of the trio. It was an amicable trade to give a good team player a chance to play for a contender. It has worked well.
His arrival solidified the goal tender position for South Carolina that had went from a strength to a major weakness as the team lost two of the ECHL goal tending leaders including Michel Neuvirth who has helped propel the Hershey Bears into the Calder Cup finals in the AHL. The addition of Reimer provided Bednar with his ideal, two equally strong interchangeable goalies.
Bednar served his coaching apprenticeship under former ‘Rays’ coach Jason Fitzsimmons who retired from coaching two years ago. He has demonstrated that he learned quickly as a rookie coach by piloting the Stingrays to last year’s ECHL American Conference where they lost to the eventual Kelly Cup winner the Cincinnati Cyclones.
This year the ‘Rays have gone deeper by ousting Charlotte, the heavily favored Cup contenders the Florida EverBlades and in sweet revenge sweeping the Cyclones to win the American Conference Championship and move to the finals against the Alaska Aces.
Reimer’ s s tart in goal in game three on home ice came after Boutin had reeled off seven straight wins in the playoffs before losing game two of the series with Alaska. Despite the loss Boutin had played extremely well in the 3-1 loss allowing two goals. The third goal came on an empty netter.
More than one local observer expected Bednar to stay with Boutin as he was hot and had been extremely steady. However, the coach had given his commitment to his two athletes. He was very clear that he had complete confidence in both, would play both and his approach was simple absent injury or something unexpected he would stay with a goalie as long as he won. Once a loss occurred he would go with the second member of his goalie tandem again until they lost.
Easy to say and some would say hard to do especially since Boutin has played so well and Reimer’s readiness after not playing since May 1 could be questionable. Bednar demonstrated a trait many bosses should emulate. He told his “employees” what he was gong to do and stuck by his word even when conventional wisdom may have been to not mess with what was working.
Reimer has been patient and has been one of the hardest workers in practice recognizing that Boutin was winning and Bednar had been up front with his approach. To Bednar’s credit he didn’t waiver and kept his word. Reimer responded by out dueling the ECHL goal tender of the year Jean Philippe Lamoureux of the Aces and showing no signs of rust.
In the post game on ice victory celebration Boutin was one of the most excited well wishers around the 21 year old rookie. Both goalies are contributing and have what pro athletes want, a coach who is up front and does what he promises.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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