Athlete of the Week: Alex Westlund

You can't run. You can't hide. You can't even duck. The puck has already gotten past your defense, and you have a few nanoseconds to get between it and the net, or else your team loses its lead. Welcome to the world of Alex Westlund, SM '99.

Outstanding saves have come to be expected from Westlund. Thanks to the Bulldog netminder's brillance, the men's ice hockey team is off to its best start since the 1992-93 season, having won its first three games against Air Force, Clarkson, and St. Lawrence. West-lund has allowed an average of just 0.67 goals per game, compiling a remarkable .973 save percentage in the process.

A platoon starter since his arrival at Yale, Westlund solidified his status as the team's number-one goalie midway through last season after sharing the starting role with Dan Choquette, BR '97. Westlund more than responded to this challenge, compiling a 2.99 goals against average, the 10th best figure in Yale history and the second best since the 1952-53 season.

Julia Tiernan/YH

The Flemington Village, NJ, native continued to record incredible performances, inlcuding a 46-save shutout against Colgate in the ECAC playoffs, the first-ever postseason shutout in Yale history.

As a freshman on the Bulldog squad, Westlund made an immediate impact. Current team captain Ray Giroux, BK '98, who shared the 1996-97 John Poinier Award for Defensive Excellence with Westlund, said of his teammate, "He came into a high pressure situation, high for a freshman...[and] he did well." Giroux also noted that Westlund has developed into "a terrific goalie and is the most underrated player in the nation."

By tallying 33 saves as Yale surprised Clarkson before 3,150 fans at Ingalls Rink on Fri., Nov. 7, and by posting a 25 save 3-0 shutout against St. Lawrence, Westlund has earned the attention of the entire league, and was awarded with ECAC Goalie of the Week honors. The shutout was West-lund's second in his last six starts.

While those who follow collegiate hockey may be surprised by Yale's victories over the likes of traditional ECAC hockey powerhouses Clarkson and St. Lawrence, recent success for the Blue comes as no surprise to Westlund.

"Rebuilding is done. In our minds we are a playoff team," he said. With Westlund guarding the net, the Bulldogs can be confident that they will at least have the chance to be competitive in every game this season.

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