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JORDAN PEARCE
Jordan Pearce
Position: Goaltender
Catches: Left
Vitals: 6'1'' / 201 lbs.
Birthdate: October 10, 1986
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Acquired: Signed as a free agent by Detroit on April 10, 2009
CSS Ranking: 22nd North American Goaltender (2005)
Contract: 2011
RWC Says: Dependable Goaltender

STORIES

AWARDS
  • 2007-08 ESPN The Magazine academic second-team all-American
  • 2007-08 Central Collegiate Hockey Association top goaltender (best GAA)
  • 2007-08 Notre Dame men's hockey MVP
  • 2008-09 Notre Dame men's hockey MVP
  • 2008-09 Notre Dame Rockne Scholar-Athlete Award
  • 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award (NCAA's top student-athlete)
  • 2008-09 ESPN The Magazine academic first-team all-American
  • 2008-09 all-Central Collegiate Hockey Association honourable mention
  • 2008-09 Central Collegiate Hockey Association scholar-athlete of the year
  • 2008-09 Central Collegiate Hockey Association MVP finalist

HISTORY
2005-06:
  • Joined Notre Dame after two seasons with the U.S. development program and one in the USHL.
  • Played sparingly as a junior, making eight appearances (4-4, 3.25 GAA, .882 Sv%).
2006-07:
  • Appeared in just three games at Notre Dame while backing up all-American David Brown.
2007-08:
  • Blossomed as a junior at Notre Dame, stepping up after the graduation of David Brown.
  • Led CCHA in GAA (2.04) and Sv% (.914) while going 23-15-4 in 43 appearances.
  • Strong post-season play helped Notre Dame get to its first Frozen Four tournament.
  • Advanced to the NCAA championship game; made 19 saves in a 4-1 loss to Boston College.
2008-09:
  • Emerged as one of NCAA's best goaltenders as a senior at Notre Dame.
  • Led nation in wins (30) and shutouts (8) and was second in GAA (1.68) and Sv% (.931).
  • Set Notre Dame's single-season and career records for wins.
  • Posted a sensational 20-game unbeaten streak from October to January (17-0-3).
  • Led Notre Dame to CCHA title and NCAA Final 16 before bowing out to Bemidji State.
  • Graduated with 3.816 GPA and degree in anthropology and pre-professional studies (pre-med).
2009-10:
  • Turned pro in the ECHL with Toledo and struggled early on.
  • Allowed 45 goals on 276 shots in first 10 professional starts.
  • Bounced back later in year and posted respectable numbers (3.64 GAA, .891 Sv%, 15-16-2).
  • Also appeared in five AHL games with Grand Rapids (3.82 GAA, .875 Sv%) in brief call-up.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"He's a big body, big blocker, plays big, and he's very cool, very calm in the net. Late in the (2008-09) season, he played very well. He always came up big in pressure situations and that's one of the things we liked about him." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (April 2009).

STRENGTHS
Has the size that has become a trend for NHL goaltenders ... Built a reputation at Notre Dame as a big-game, big-save goaltender, and the Red Wings took notice ... Relaxed and composed ... Doesn't get rattled ... Steady and consistent ... Doesn't get down on himself ... Intelligent off the ice with a future in medicine and a willing, capable learner on the ice.

WEAKNESSES
Needs to show as a pro that he has the quickness and lateral movement to go along with his good-sized frame ... Can't rely solely on his size to fill the net and intimidate shooters.

PROJECTION
Pearce has a bright future, whether it's on the ice or off it. He was not only one of the best goalies in NCAA hockey in 2008-09, he was also a Dean's List student who graduated with a double major in anthropology and pre-professional studies (pre-med). The Red Wings like Pearce's potential and he could benefit from the departure of Daniel Larsson to Sweden. He has plenty to learn in the pros, but expect him to challenge for AHL duty with Grand Rapids in 2010-11.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP W-L-T SO GAA SPCT GP W-L SO GAA SPCT
2002-03 U.S. under-18 NTDP 29 7-22 3.97 .891
2003-04 U.S. under-18 NTDP 20 8-11-1 3.57 .874
2004-05 Lincoln USHL 36 22-10-4 3.07 .897
2005-06 Notre Dame NCAA 9 4-4 1 3.25 .882
2006-07 Notre Dame NCAA 3 2-1 1 2.01 .895
2007-08 Notre Dame NCAA 43 23-15-4 2 2.04 .914
2008-09 Notre Dame NCAA 39 30-6-3 8 1.68 .931
  Grand Rapids AHL 1 0-1-0 0 5.11 .868
2009-10 Toledo ECHL 37 15-16-2 2 3.63 .891
  Grand Rapids AHL 5 1-2-0 0 3.82 .875

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
01 F Tomas Tatar » Grand Rapids (AHL)
02 D Jakub Kindl » Grand Rapids (AHL)
03 D Brendan Smith » Wisconsin (NCAA)
04 F Gustav Nyquist » Maine (NCAA)
05 F Jan Mursak » Grand Rapids (AHL)
06 G Thomas McCollum » Grand Rapids (AHL)
07 F Joakim Andersson » Frolunda (SEL)
08 F Mattias Ritola » Grand Rapids (AHL)
09 F Landon Ferraro » Red Deer (WHL)
10 D Brian Lashoff » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »