Memorable Week in the NHL for Mooseheads Alumni

2022-01-10

The last few days have been extremely eventful for Halifax Mooseheads Alumni in the National Hockey League. Whether it was setting an NHL record, getting called up to the show or marking a career milestone, the former Mooseheads were a busy bunch.

Goalie Zach Fucale’s long wait to get to the NHL had lasted eight years since being drafted but the 26-year-old from Rosemere, QC has made the most of his brief time with the Washington Capitals this season. He made just his third appearance and second career start for the Caps on Saturday and proceeded to set a new NHL record for longest shutout minutes to begin an NHL career. Fucale demolished the old mark of 102:48 set by Minnesota’s Matt Hackett in 2011 as he reached 138 minutes and seven seconds before letting the opposition score. He has stopped 48 of 49 shots for Washington so far this season which is good for a 0.42 goals against average and a .980 save percentage.

Never thought the first few games would go down like this. Thanks everyone for your encouragements. It’s on to the next.
——
Je n’avais pas imaginé ce scénario là! Merci pour vos messages d’encouragements! On passe au prochain match.

— Zach Fucale (@Fucale31) January 9, 2022

OMFG pic.twitter.com/wc6HYZlObs

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 9, 2022

Hard-shooting forward Marty Frk was called up to the LA Kings on Thursday after lighting up the AHL with the Ontario Reign this season to the tune of 29 points in 24 games. Frk has 14 goals and 15 assists as a 28-year-old with the Reign. The former Mooseheads forward has been known for his ridiculously hard shot since his days in the QMJHL and even set a record at the 2020 AHL All-Star game when he was clocked at 109.2 miles per hour. He put that weapon to immediate use by scoring a goal and posting a team-high six shots in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators.

He quite literally has the hardest shot in hockey, this was bound to happen. @Frky91 💪 #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/gw55yP8z1V

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 7, 2022

It’s hard to believe that Jakub Voracek has been in the NHL for 14 seasons since leaving the Mooseheads as a first round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Voracek has been a horse over the course of his career by averaging more than 71 games played per season and scoring 763 points between the Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers. The 32-year-old from Kladno, Czech Republic set a major milestone on Saturday night with his 1000^th career game. He was presented with a silver stick from President of Hockey Operations John Davidson while General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen presented Voracek and his family with a framed print featuring pictures of his time with the Jackets, Flyers and internationally with the Czech Republic. Voracek capped off the night with a pair of assists in a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. Nico Hischier scored in the loss for New Jersey.

All the gifts in the world don’t compare to the gift of watching @jachobe play 1000 games 🤩 pic.twitter.com/yunS5WwiOk

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 9, 2022

Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche have been on a roll for the last eight days. They have reeled off four consecutive wins thanks in part to MacKinnon’s 10 points over that span. He kicked off the winning streak on Sunday, January 2^nd with three assists in a 4-2 victory over Anaheim and followed it up by assisting on the overtime winning goal on Tuesday as Colorado downed Chicago 4-3. He was unstoppable on Thursday vs Winnipeg in a dominant 7-1 win when he put up five points on a goal and four assists. As sweet as the five-point night was for MacKinnon, Saturday night must have felt even better as he scored a goal to help the Avs fight back from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. Nate was buzzing throughout the game and fired 12 shots on goal. Colorado has won 11 straight on home ice.

The offensive chemistry >>>#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NXsRiK4IQh

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 9, 2022

Here is a look at how former Mooseheads skaters have performed in the NHL this season: