Nick Vitucci
Encyclopedia
Nick Vitucci is a former professional ice hockey
goaltender
. Currently, he is the head coach of the ECHL
's Toledo Walleye
.
In 2008, Vitucci was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame. Vitucci was joined by ECHL founder Henry Brabham
, the league's first commissioner Patrick J. Kelly
, and defenceman Chris Valicevic
as members of the Hall of Fame's inaugural class.
and in the AHL
with the Maine Mariners
, Hershey Bears
, and Binghamton Rangers
. Vitucci also spent several summers in the RHI
, with the Buffalo Stampede, Empire State Cobras
, Buffalo Wings
, and the New Jersey Rockin Rollers
. During his career in the ECHL, Vitucci won four Riley Cups
in 1989
, 1990
, 1994
and 1996
and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player on two occasions (1989 and 1996), one of only two players in the league's history to do so, and Goaltender of the Year in 1998
. Vitucci spent at least some time in all of his 13 years of professional hockey in the ECHL and when he retired in 2001
Vitucci left as the league's career record holder in games played, minutes played, wins, most 20 win seasons, most 30 win seasons, and most losses.
Vitucci is the only goaltender in the history of professional hockey to be credited with a goal against a guarded net. In the 1996 season, while playing for the Charlotte Checkers, Vitucci shot the puck up the ice toward opposing goaltender Alain Morissette of the Louisville River Frogs
. Morissette stopped the puck outside the goal, but spun and shot it into his own net while attempting a pass. As the most recent Checkers player to touch the puck, Vitucci was awarded a point scored against an opposing goalie—a unique feat in hockey history for any goaltender.
when he took up assistant coaching duties while playing for the Toledo Storm
. Vitucci would have a second stint as a player/assistant coach during his final year as a player with the Greenville Grrrowl
.
In 2002, Vitucci returned to Greenville to be their assistant coach and would leave to fill the assistant coach vacancy in Toledo after the season. Two months into the 2003–04 season, Toledo Storm head coach Steve Harrison was fired and Vitucci, who was his assistant at the time, was tabbed to be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. At the end of the season, the Storm signed Vitucci to be their permanent replacement for Harrison and has remained the team's coach through the team suspending operations in 2007 in order to construct the new arena.
In February 2008 it was announced he would be retained as the head coach for the Walleye, which will be his fifth season in Toledo. The Storm saw success under Vitucci's tenure as the team made the playoffs in all three years with Vitucci, including a division title in 2006 and reaching the American Conference Finals in the same year.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
. Currently, he is the head coach of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
's Toledo Walleye
Toledo Walleye
The Toledo Walleye are a professional ice hockey team based in Toledo, Ohio. The Walleye are members of the North Division of the Eastern Conference of the ECHL...
.
In 2008, Vitucci was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame. Vitucci was joined by ECHL founder Henry Brabham
Henry Brabham
Henry Brabham is the founder of the ECHL, formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League.Founded in 1988, the ECHL is a minor professional ice hockey league that serves as a development league for the NHL...
, the league's first commissioner Patrick J. Kelly
Patrick J. Kelly
Patrick J. Kelly was one of the founders and the first commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League in 1989. Kelly was named Commissioner Emeritus of the ECHL following the 1995–96 season, after serving as Commissioner for the first eight seasons of the ECHL. The league playoff champions wins a...
, and defenceman Chris Valicevic
Chris Valicevic
Chris Valicevic is a former professional ice hockey defenseman who spent the majority of his career with the ECHL Louisiana IceGators.-ECHL:...
as members of the Hall of Fame's inaugural class.
Playing career
During his playing career, Vitucci spent most of his time as a journeyman in the ECHL, but had numerous call ups including stints in the IHL with the Peoria RivermenPeoria Rivermen (IHL)
The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena....
and in the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
with the Maine Mariners
Maine Mariners
The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
, Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, and Binghamton Rangers
Binghamton Rangers
The Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:...
. Vitucci also spent several summers in the RHI
Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
, with the Buffalo Stampede, Empire State Cobras
Empire State Cobras
The Empire State Cobras were a professional roller hockey team based in Glens Falls, New York, United States that played in Roller Hockey International.Player History*Julian Swagger - Winger*Eddie Garrison - Goaltender*Nick Vitucci - Goaltender...
, Buffalo Wings
Buffalo Wings (roller hockey)
The Buffalo Wings are a professional inline hockey team, playing in Major League Roller Hockey, that is based in Buffalo, NY.- History :The Buffalo Wings franchise was originally the Phoenix Cobras from 1994 to 1995, and the Empire State Cobras in 1996....
, and the New Jersey Rockin Rollers
New Jersey Rockin Rollers
The New Jersey Rockin Rollers were a professional roller hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States that played in Roller Hockey International. In 1997 they were coached by legendary roller hockey guru Bob Antolos....
. During his career in the ECHL, Vitucci won four Riley Cups
Kelly Cup
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...
in 1989
1988–89 ECHL season
The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie...
, 1990
1989–90 ECHL season
The 1989-90 ECHL season was the second season of the ECHL. The league brought back all five teams from the inaugural season and added three more franchises in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, and Norfolk, Virginia. Before the season began, the Carolina Thunderbirds changed their...
, 1994
1993–94 ECHL season
The 1993-94 ECHL season was the sixth season of the ECHL. In 1993, the league saw the Roanoke Valley Rampage move to Huntsville, AL becoming the Huntsville Blast, as well as an expansion to three new markets: Charlotte, NC, North Charleston, SC, and Huntington, WV and returned to the Roanoke...
and 1996
1995–96 ECHL season
The 1995-96 ECHL season was the eighth season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Greensboro Monarchs franchise moved up to the American Hockey League and became the Carolina Monarchs...
and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player on two occasions (1989 and 1996), one of only two players in the league's history to do so, and Goaltender of the Year in 1998
1997–98 ECHL season
The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD...
. Vitucci spent at least some time in all of his 13 years of professional hockey in the ECHL and when he retired in 2001
2000–01 ECHL season
The 2000-01 ECHL season was the 13th season of the ECHL. Before the season, the league lost three members as the Huntington Blizzard and the Jacksonville Lizard Kings ceased operations and the powerhouse Hampton Roads Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League as the Norfolk Admirals, the...
Vitucci left as the league's career record holder in games played, minutes played, wins, most 20 win seasons, most 30 win seasons, and most losses.
Vitucci is the only goaltender in the history of professional hockey to be credited with a goal against a guarded net. In the 1996 season, while playing for the Charlotte Checkers, Vitucci shot the puck up the ice toward opposing goaltender Alain Morissette of the Louisville River Frogs
Louisville River Frogs
The Louisville River Frogs were a professional ice hockey team competing in the East Coast Hockey League. The team was based in Louisville, Kentucky and played from 1995-1998. Their home venue was Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center...
. Morissette stopped the puck outside the goal, but spun and shot it into his own net while attempting a pass. As the most recent Checkers player to touch the puck, Vitucci was awarded a point scored against an opposing goalie—a unique feat in hockey history for any goaltender.
Career statistics
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–86 1985–86 OHL season The 1985–86 OHL season was the 6th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Guelph Platers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Belleville Bulls.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:-Division Quarterfinals:... |
Toronto Marlboros Toronto Marlboros The Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club, commonly known as the Toronto Marlboros, was founded in 1903. It operated a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association and Ontario Hockey League from 1904 to 1989... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
20 | – | – | – | 1203 | 108 | 0 | 5.39 | – |
| 1986–87 1986–87 OHL season The 1986–87 OHL season was the 7th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the North Bay Centennials.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:... |
Toronto Marlboros | OHL | 40 | – | – | – | 2456 | 213 | 0 | 5.20 | – |
| 1988–89 1988–89 ECHL season The 1988-89 ECHL season was the inaugural season of the ECHL. The leagues first season consisted of five teams in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, Vinton, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 5 teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Erie... |
Carolina Thunderbirds Carolina Thunderbirds The Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
22 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 1238 | 96 | 1 | 4.65 | .873 |
| 1989–90 1989–90 ECHL season The 1989-90 ECHL season was the second season of the ECHL. The league brought back all five teams from the inaugural season and added three more franchises in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, and Norfolk, Virginia. Before the season began, the Carolina Thunderbirds changed their... |
Winston-Salem Thunderbirds | ECHL | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 360 | 28 | 0 | 4.67 | .856 |
| 1989–90 | Greensboro Monarchs Greensboro Monarchs The Greensboro Monarchs were a professional ice hockey team based in Greensboro, NC. The Monarchs joined the East Coast Hockey League as an expansion franchise prior to the start of the 1989-90 season and surrendered the franchise to the league when the Monarchs joined the AHL at the conclusion of... |
ECHL | 28 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 1496 | 114 | 0 | 4.57 | .891 |
| 1990–91 1990–91 ECHL season The 1990–91 ECHL season was the third season of the ECHL. In 1990, the league welcomed three new franchises: Cincinnati Cyclones, Louisville Icehawks, and Richmond Renegades. The Virginia Lancers franchise was renamed the Roanoke Valley Rebels. The 11 teams played 64 games in the schedule. The... |
Greensboro Monarchs | ECHL | 41 | 22 | 16 | 2 | 2225 | 142 | 1 | 3.83 | .898 |
| 1991–92 1991–92 ECHL season The 1991-92 ECHL season was the fourth season of the ECHL. In 1991, the league welcomed four new franchises: the Columbus Chill, Dayton Bombers, Raleigh Icecaps, and Toledo Storm. The 15 teams played 64 games in the schedule. The Toledo Storm finished first overall in the regular season... |
Greensboro Monarchs | ECHL | 42 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 2358 | 136 | 0 | 3.46 | .903 |
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
Maine Mariners Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 65 | 3 | 0 | 2.77 | .880 |
| 1991–92 | Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
AHL | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 191 | 15 | 0 | 4.71 | .848 |
| 1992–93 1992–93 ECHL season The 1992-93 ECHL season was the fifth season of the ECHL. In 1992, the league saw numerous changes in team membership. The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds move to Wheeling, WV, becoming the first franchise to make a major relocation, the Roanoke Valley Rebels announced that they were changing their... |
Hampton Roads Admirals Hampton Roads Admirals The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena.... |
ECHL | 29 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 1669 | 85 | 1 | 3.06 | .911 |
| 1992–93 | Peoria Rivermen Peoria Rivermen (IHL) The Peoria Rivermen were an ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.... |
IHL | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 279 | 27 | 0 | 3.38 | .895 |
| 1993–94 1993–94 ECHL season The 1993-94 ECHL season was the sixth season of the ECHL. In 1993, the league saw the Roanoke Valley Rampage move to Huntsville, AL becoming the Huntsville Blast, as well as an expansion to three new markets: Charlotte, NC, North Charleston, SC, and Huntington, WV and returned to the Roanoke... |
Toledo Storm Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
ECHL | 27 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 1532 | 93 | 0 | 3.64 | .892 |
| 1993–94 | Peoria Rivermen | IHL | 11 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 422 | 35 | 0 | 4.98 | .850 |
| 1994–95 1994–95 ECHL season The 1994-95 ECHL season was the seventh season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Huntsville Blast moved their operations from Huntsville, AL to Tallahassee, FL and became the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks and the Louisville IceHawks suspended operations... |
Toledo Storm | ECHL | 56 | 35 | 16 | 3 | 3273 | 176 | 3 | 3.23 | .906 |
| 1995–96 1995–96 ECHL season The 1995-96 ECHL season was the eighth season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Greensboro Monarchs franchise moved up to the American Hockey League and became the Carolina Monarchs... |
Charlotte Checkers | ECHL | 48 | 32 | 13 | 3 | 2793 | 164 | 0 | 3.52 | .891 |
| 1996–97 1996–97 ECHL season The 1996-97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded... |
Charlotte Checkers | ECHL | 36 | 20 | 10 | 4 | 2028 | 117 | 0 | 3.46 | .902 |
| 1996–97 1996–97 AHL season The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division... |
Binghamton Rangers Binghamton Rangers The Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:... |
AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 129 | 9 | 0 | 4.18 | .875 |
| 1997–98 1997–98 ECHL season The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD... |
Toledo Storm | ECHL | 49 | 27 | 16 | 5 | 2826 | 130 | 2 | 2.76 | .918 |
| 1998–99 1998–99 ECHL season The 1998-99 ECHL season was the 11th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Louisville River Frogs move to Miami, FL and the Raleigh Icecaps move to Augusta, GA as well as welcoming two new franchises in Estero, FL and Greenville, SC... |
Greenville Grrrowl Greenville Grrrowl The Greenville Grrrowl were an ECHL hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. They played their home games at the BI-LO Center. In the 2001-02 season, they won the Kelly Cup.... |
ECHL | 32 | 9 | 17 | 4 | 1855 | 103 | 0 | 3.33 | .896 |
| 1999–00 1999–2000 ECHL season The 1999-2000 ECHL season was the 12th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the Miami Matadors and Columbus Chill suspended operations, the Chesapeake Icebreakers, who originally suspended operations, moved to Jackson, MS... |
Greenville Grrrowl | ECHL | 34 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 1916 | 79 | 1 | 2.47 | .915 |
| 2000–01 2000–01 ECHL season The 2000-01 ECHL season was the 13th season of the ECHL. Before the season, the league lost three members as the Huntington Blizzard and the Jacksonville Lizard Kings ceased operations and the powerhouse Hampton Roads Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League as the Norfolk Admirals, the... |
Greenville Grrrowl | ECHL | 29 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 1719 | 91 | 1 | 3.18 | .895 |
| AHL totals | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 385 | 27 | 0 | 4.21 | – | ||
| IHL totals | 19 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 701 | 62 | 0 | 5.31 | – | ||
| ECHL totals | 479 | 265 | 150 | 41 | 27288 | 1554 | 10 | 3.42 | – | ||
| OHL totals | 60 | – | – | – | 3659 | 321 | 0 | 5.26 | – | ||
Coaching career
Vitucci began his career as a coach during the 1994–95 season1994–95 ECHL season
The 1994-95 ECHL season was the seventh season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Huntsville Blast moved their operations from Huntsville, AL to Tallahassee, FL and became the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks and the Louisville IceHawks suspended operations...
when he took up assistant coaching duties while playing for the Toledo Storm
Toledo Storm
The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,...
. Vitucci would have a second stint as a player/assistant coach during his final year as a player with the Greenville Grrrowl
Greenville Grrrowl
The Greenville Grrrowl were an ECHL hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. They played their home games at the BI-LO Center. In the 2001-02 season, they won the Kelly Cup....
.
In 2002, Vitucci returned to Greenville to be their assistant coach and would leave to fill the assistant coach vacancy in Toledo after the season. Two months into the 2003–04 season, Toledo Storm head coach Steve Harrison was fired and Vitucci, who was his assistant at the time, was tabbed to be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. At the end of the season, the Storm signed Vitucci to be their permanent replacement for Harrison and has remained the team's coach through the team suspending operations in 2007 in order to construct the new arena.
In February 2008 it was announced he would be retained as the head coach for the Walleye, which will be his fifth season in Toledo. The Storm saw success under Vitucci's tenure as the team made the playoffs in all three years with Vitucci, including a division title in 2006 and reaching the American Conference Finals in the same year.
Coaching statistics
| Team | |Regular Season | Toledo Storm Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | 49 | 14 | 27 | 8 | 36 | 7th in Northern | – | – | – | Missed Playoffs | |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 41 | 26 | 5 | 87 | 4th in North | 1 | 3 | .200 | Lost in Division Semifinals | |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 46 | 21 | 5 | 97 | 1st in North | 7 | 6 | .539 | Lost in Conference Finals | |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 39 | 30 | 3 | 81 | 2nd in North | 0 | 3 | .000 | Lost in Division Semifinals | |
| Toledo Walleye Toledo Walleye The Toledo Walleye are a professional ice hockey team based in Toledo, Ohio. The Walleye are members of the North Division of the Eastern Conference of the ECHL... |
2009–10 | 72 | 35 | 30 | 7 | 77 | 3rd in North | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals |
| Total | 335 | 175 | 132 | 28 | .564 | 9 | 15 | .375 | |||