ALL-STAR SELECTION PROVES GROSENICK IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Jan 6, 2017

On Thursday morning, the AHL league offices announced 2017 AHL All-Star selections. Both Troy Grosenick and Danny O’Regan were given the nod for the Barracuda to represent the Pacific Division in Lehigh Valley on Jan. 29-30.

Neither selection came at much of a surprise. O’Regan has been a model of consistency for San Jose in his first professional season. Amongst AHL rookies, O'Regan ranks second in points (31) and assists (21) and is third in points per game (1.15). He also ranks first on the Barracuda in points, T-first assists and second in goals (10).

For Grosenick his selection wasn’t a shocker either, the fourth-year pro is having a career season posting a 9-5-1 record in 19 games played and leads the AHL in shutouts (5), is 12th in wins, sixth in save percentage (2.06) and T-third in goals-against average (.929).

Four months ago, an All-Star nomination for Grosenick may have seemed farfetched after the Brookfield, WI, native turned in his worst statistical season of his professional career in 2015-16. In 28 games played, Grosenick went 11-10-4 with a 3.16 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage in 28 games played.

The Barracuda sit at second place in the Pacific Division for the first time this season due in large part to the play of the 6-foot-1, 185 pound netminder. No one was more excited about the news of Grosenicks’s selection than Barracuda Head Coach Roy Sommer.

"He’s a guy your root for,” said Sommer. “When he is in the net he makes stuff happen. Down the stretch, there have been games we’ve won, and he was the reason, and him making the All-Star game was well deserved.

Besides two NHL games with the San Jose Sharks in 2014, Grosenick has had Sommer as his head coach throughout his professional career, so it was no wonder Sommer was so excited.

“It hasn’t been an easy road for him, and he has become our number one guy this year, and he deserves it. He’s who we are leaning on, and I’m just really happy for him,” said Sommer.

When asked about being selected to the All-Star team, Grosenick said, “It confirms I’m on the right track and the changes I made are starting to pay off. It’s a great honor, and it should be a lot of fun.

Heading into a pivotal fourth year as a pro, the 27-year-old didn’t set statistical goals this offseason and instead took a day-by-day approach. That philosophy has paid off in a large way through a third of the season.

“I didn’t set statistical goals, but instead I decided to grade myself every day. I ask myself if improved today,” said Grosenick.

The goaltender had a stretch earlier this year where he did not allow a goal in 247 minutes and eights seconds and was named CCM/AHL Player of the Week on Dec. 12. In between that stretch Grosenick sat out for two weeks with a lower-body injury and returned to the lineup only to earn three-straight shutouts.

When the Barracuda take on the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday most likely Grosenick will get the nod, and the former Union College product will look to continue his great campaign and lead the Barracuda to their sixth straight home win.