Adam Berkhoel

Adam James Berkhoel (born May 16, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers. He was drafted 240th overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Playing career Prior to his professional career, Berkhoel attended Stillwater High School before he backstopped the University of Denver to the 2004 NCAA title, with a memorable 1–0 shutout of the University of Maine in the Championship game, including stopping a six-on-three skaters advantage for Maine in the final 90 seconds of the contest. The opposing goaltender in that game was Jimmy Howard. Howard and Berkhoel would later become teammates in Grand Rapids in 2007–08.

Berkhoel was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2000 but was eventually traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for future considerations. He played his first set of NHL games once the Thrashers ran into goaltending troubles in the 2005–06 season where he went 2–4–1 in seven full games while posting a .882 SV% and a 3.80 GAA along with one shutout. The Thrashers opted not to re-sign him, and Berkhoel signed with the Buffalo Sabres during the offseason preceding the 2006–07 season.

On July 16, 2007, Berkhoel was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings to play for their affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. On August 15, 2008, Berkhoel signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. After the conclusion of his deal with the Penguins, Berkhoel announced his retirement from professional hockey.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%1999–00 Twin City Vulcans USHL 49 25 15 7 2848 129 5 2.72 .923 13 7 6 — — — 3.24 — 2000–01 University of Denver WCHA 15 7 6 1 745 38 1 3.06 .884 — — — — — — — — 2001–02 University of Denver WCHA 18 12 4 1 1026 40 1 2.34 .917 — — — — — — — — 2002–03 University of Denver WCHA 26 12 6 4 1436 55 3 2.30 .908 — — — — — — — — 2003–04 University of Denver WCHA 39 24 11 4 2225 91 7 2.45 .918 — — — — — — — — 2004–05 Gwinnett Gladiators ECHL 24 9 10 5 1458 59 2 2.43 .913 7 4 1 — — 0 1.53 .938 2004–05 Chicago Wolves AHL 1 0 1 0 59 4 0 4.04 .875 — — — — — — — — 2005–06 Chicago Wolves AHL 11 3 6 0 526 32 0 3.65 .882 — — — — — — — — 2005–06 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 9 2 4 1 473 30 0 3.30 .882 — — — — — — — — 2005–06 Gwinnett Gladiators ECHL 15 10 4 1 902 41 1 2.73 .909 9 6 3 — — 0 3.27 .882 2006–07 Dayton Bombers ECHL 43 23 17 3 2584 105 5 2.44 .910 22 12 10 1386 59 0 2.56 .914 2006–07 Rochester Americans AHL 6 2 3 0 316 17 0 3.22 .899 — — — — — — — — 2007–08 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 31 10 14 4 1697 83 1 2.93 .888 — — — — — — — — 2008–09 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 28 15 11 2 1635 69 4 2.53 .910 6 3 2 340 12 0 2.12 .937 2009–10 Wheeling Nailers ECHL 28 12 11 3 1590 83 0 3.13 .888 — — — — — — — — 2009–10 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 7 4 3 0 403 20 1 2.98 .892 — — — — — — — — NHL totals 9 2 4 1 473 30 0 3.80 .882 — — — — — — — —

Awards and honors Award Year College All-WCHA Third Team 2001–02, 2003–04 All-NCAA All-Tournament Team 2004 Tournament MVP 2004 ECHL First All-Star Team 2006–07 Goaltender of the Year 2006–07