[irbefan4life]

Here is our newest piece for the goalie collection. Again, on our quest to get to 1000 likes, don't forget to "LIKE" Bruce C. Goaltending Museum on Facebook and give us a "FOLLOW" on Twitter!

Born on April 11, 1980 in Boisbriand, Quebec in Canada, Mathieu Chouinard was a standout starting goaltender for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. He was initially drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1998 NHL entry draft, however, after he was named MVP of the entire QMJHL consecutively in both 1999 and 2000, he re-entered the draft and was once again selected by the Ottawa Senators, this time 45th overall in the 2000 draft. Chouinard transitioned to the pro ranks in 2000-01, appearing in 28 games (with 17 wins) for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the IHL. He also earned a call-up to the Sens, however, did not see game action. The following season, he remained with the Griffins (now in the AHL), winning the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award along with two other goalies for being the goalies on the team with the fewest goals against. Though playing fewer games in 2002-03 in both the AHL and ECHL, he recorded continually strong numbers. In 2003-04, Chouinard was signed by the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent. Boasting strong numbers in the AHL with Manchester, he earned himself a call-up to the NHL, and even though he appeared predominantly as a back-up on the bench, he got his chance. On February 29, 2004, Chouinard replaced Cristobal Huet against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. In just under three minutes of ice time, Chouinard stopped both shots he faced in his team's 6-3 defeat. He never played an NHL game again as he bounced between the AHL and ECHL during the 2004-05 lockout, and he appeared one final season in 2005-06 in the ECHL and LNAH before retiring from play. He then took on a coaching role in Quebec's junior hockey leagues.

In his NHL career, Mathieu Chouinard appeared in one NHL game, recording a 0-0-0 record with a 1.000% save average. He appeared in zero playoff games.

What you are looking at right now is a 2003-04 Los Angeles Kings Third Set 2 jersey worn by Chouinard in a back-up role around the time of his call-up prior to his NHL debut (wearing the white jersey) on February 29. It is a beautiful, gigantic size 60G jersey with minimal game wear visible, the most pronounced of which is notable salt deposits in the fight strap buttons.

Acquired from: Thomas Terrett, includes Meigray LOA

Dates of Game Use: TBA

Photomatched: No, referenced only