Spirit acquire rights to goalie Hoyle

The Saginaw Spirit acquired the rights of goaltender Matt Hoyle from the Kingston Frontenacs today.

“We look upon this move as a unique opportunity, one where we have acquired the rights to one of the top goaltenders in the 1990 age group who definitely has the talent to one day be an elite NHL goaltender," Saginaw GM Don Edwards said. "Matt is a big, strong and athletic goaltender as well as a fierce competitor. Having coached him last year, he is an individual with great moral fiber. Should we land him, he will be a tremendous asset to our organization. The challenge for the Spirit management will be to intrigue Matt to join the OHL, knowing that he has already accepted an offer to attend Harvard University nest season.”

The 1990-born native of Toronto was selected by the Frontenacs in the fifth round of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. Hoyle played last season in the OPJHL with the Oakville Blades where he posted a record of 27-7-1-1, a 2.59 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. He also recorded four shutouts, was voted the West Division Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Star team as an underage rookie.

“The solid relationships that our GM Don Edwards has built through the years are paying off for the Saginaw Spirit,” stated Spirit president and managing partner Craig Goslin. “Matt Hoyle is a highly-touted goaltender that played for Don last season in Oakville. We are hopeful that Matt will find Saginaw a great fit to develop his immense skills into a NHL goalie as he is tutored by a Vezina Award-winning goaltender such as Spirit GM Don Edwards.”