Chad Richard Alban (born April 27, 1976) is an American former professional ice hockey player.

Chad Alban
Born (1976-04-27) April 27, 1976 (age 47)
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb)
Position Goaltender
Shot Right
Playing career 1991–2009

Career edit

After receiving an epic beatdown by a local detroit amateur hockey goalie, Alban started his college career at Michigan State in 1994. He became the starter in his sophomore season and held the job for the next three years. Alban's senior season saw the goaltender post program records in most goaltending categories including goals against average (1.57), save percentage (.926), shutouts (6) and was one win behind Jason Muzzatti for the most in team history.[1] Alban became just the fourth college goaltender to be credited with a goal near the end of the season but he was the first to have actually shot the puck on goal. He led the Spartans to their first conference championship in eight years and allowed only five goals in four games as MSU won the CCHA Tournament.[2] Unfortunately, in the first game of the NCAA Tournament, the team they defeated for the conference crown (Ohio State) won 4–3 in overtime, ending Alban's college career. As of 2020 Alban is still the career leader in wins for the Spartans. He finished as the runner up to Chris Drury for the 1998 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best college player.

Alban played minor league hockey for several teams over the next few years and was eventually signed to a contract by the Dallas Stars. While he stayed mostly with the Utah Grizzlies, Alban was called up twice to serve as a backup, riding the bench for three games in the early 2000s.[3] Because he did not play in the games he isn't considered an NHL player. After leaving the Stars organization, he joined the Kalamazoo Wings for three years before heading to Russia and played in the Russian Super League for two seasons. Alban ended his playing career in 2009 after two more years with the Flint Generals.

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1991–92 Kalamazoo Jr. Wings NAHL
1992–93 Kalamazoo Jr. Wings NAHL
1994–95 Michigan State University CCHA 13 8 2 0 636 29 0 2.73 .893
1995–96 Michigan State University CCHA 40 26 13 1 2286 117 3 3.07 .876
1996–97 Michigan State University CCHA 39 23 11 4 2272 103 3 2.72 .894
1997–98 Michigan State University CCHA 40 31 4 5 2438 64 6 1.57 .926
1998–99 Mobile Mysticks ECHL 34 16 14 3 1960 111 1 3.40 .902 2 0 2 119 9 0 4.53 .897
1998–99 Houston Aeros IHL 5 1 3 1 284 14 0 2.96 .898
1999–00 Mobile Mysticks ECHL 39 25 13 1 2334 114 0 2.93 .914 5 2 3 299 20 0 4.01 .889
1999–00 Utah Grizzlies IHL 1 0 1 0 35 3 0 5.16 .813
2000–01 Utah Grizzlies IHL 11 2 4 4 597 23 0 2.31 .926
2000–01 Grand Rapids Griffins IHL 3 2 1 0 180 4 1 1.33 .953
2000–01 Idaho Steelheads WCHL 20 14 5 1 1121 56 1 3.00 .900 10 6 4 596 33 0 3.32 .904
2001–02 Utah Grizzlies AHL 42 17 15 1 2103 103 2 2.94 .908
2002–03 Kalamazoo Wings UHL 54 21 25 5 3084 175 1 3.40 .896
2002–03 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 2 1 0 0 77 3 0 2.34 .893
2003–04 Kalamazoo Wings UHL 54 34 13 6 3200 122 8 2.29 .913 5 2 3 308 12 1 2.33 .919
2004–05 Kalamazoo Wings UHL 54 33 16 5 3227 132 2 2.45 .907 3 0 3 157 11 0 4.19 .866
2005–06 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk RSL 16 5 4 3 850 29 2 2.05 .909 5 2 3 298 11 0 2.21 .909
2006–07 Traktor Chelyabinsk RSL 11 2 6 2 646 31 0 2.88 .898
2007–08 Flint Generals IHL 14 9 3 2 799 33 1 2.48 .927 5 1 4 318 19 0 3.59 .894
2008–09 Flint Generals IHL 51 15 29 6 2927 213 1 4.36 .882
RSL totals 27 7 10 5 1496 60 2 2.40

Awards and honors edit

Award Year
CCHA All-Tournament Team 1996–97 [4]
All-CCHA First Team 1997–98 [5]
AHCA East First Team All-American 1997–98 [6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Michigan State Spartans 2018-19 ice hockey media guide" (PDF). Michigan State Spartans. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  3. ^ "Chad Alban". NHLBackups.com. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  5. ^ "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  6. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.

External links edit

Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Player of the Year
1997–98
Succeeded by