GOALTENDER PATRIK RYBAR SIGNED BY RED WINGS
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Monday signed goaltender Patrik Rybar to a one-year entry-level contract.
Rybar, 24, compiled a 23-13 record in 36 games with Hradec Kralove of the Czech Extraliga this season, tallying a league-leading 1.73 goals against average and seven shutouts while placing second with a 0.932 save percentage. He added a 2.24 GAA and a 0.918 save percentage in 12 postseason appearances.
A native of Skalica, Slovakia, Rybar suited up for his country at the recently concluded IIHF World Championship in Denmark and finished with a 1-1 mark, a 2.49 GAA and a 0.906 save percentage. He also represented Slovakia at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, but did not see action.
A 6-foot-3, 176-pound netminder, Rybar placed fifth leaguewide with a 2.11 GAA and totaled a 24-13 record in 37 games with Hradec Kralove in 2016-17.
Prior to joining the Czech Republic’s top league, Rybar played two professional seasons with SHK 37 Piestany in Slovakia. He posted a league-best 0.933 save percentage to go along with a 2.62 GAA in 36 games in 2015-16 while also showing a 0.899 save percentage and a 3.76 GAA in 27 contests during 2014-15.
The Griffins will begin the home portion of their 2018-19 season on Friday, Oct. 12 at Van Andel Arena with Opening Night Presented by Huntington Bank. Additional home dates confirmed by the American Hockey League include Dec. 31, Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16.
Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public in September. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.