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Alex Lyon (ice hockey)

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Alex Lyon
AlexLyon2022.jpg
Lyon with the Chicago Wolves in 2022
Born (1992-12-09) December 9, 1992 (age 32)
Baudette, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Detroit Red Wings
Philadelphia Flyers
Carolina Hurricanes
Florida Panthers
National team  United States
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2016–present

Alexander Augustus Lyon (born December 9, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played collegiately for the Yale Bulldogs men's ice hockey team, competing in the ECAC.

Early life

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Lyon was born on December 9, 1992, in Baudette, Minnesota.[1] For the first seven years of his life, Lyon and his older sister Sam grew up on an island in Lake of the Woods, and he attended school for one year at a small schoolhouse.[2] His parents were fishing lodge managers on the island, while their children took a rowboat to school. The Lyons moved back to mainland Minnesota in 2000, at which point Lyon began playing hockey.[3] Of the 25 male students in Lyon's graduating class at Lake of the Woods High School, 15 played ice hockey for the varsity team, including Lyon.[4] During his senior year in 2009–10, Lyon served as the goaltender for all 26 Lake of the Woods high school games.[5] In those 26 games, he posted a .948 save percentage (SV%).[6]

Playing career

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NCAA

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While at Yale University, Lyon was named Ivy League co-Rookie of the Year in 2014. After leading the nation in save percentage, shutouts and goals-against average,[7] Lyon was presented with the Ken Dryden Award (given to the best goalie in the ECAC) his sophomore season,[8] while receiving First-Team AHCA/CCM All-America, First-Team All-ECAC, First-Team All-New England as well as First-Team All-Ivy League honors. He was also the winner of the J. Murray Murdoch Award as Yale's Most Valuable Player.[9]

Individual awards kept rolling in for Lyon after the 2015–16 season, as he repeated as Ken Dryden Award recipient[10] and also landed spots on the All-ECAC First Team, the All-Ivy League First Team[11] and the All-New England First Team for the second straight year.

Professional

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Philadelphia Flyers

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Lyon opted to forgo his senior season at Yale and signed an entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) on April 5, 2016.[12]

Lyon with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2020

Lyon made his first NHL start February 1, 2018 in a 4–3 loss to the New Jersey Devils.[13] On February 18, 2018, Lyon recorded his first NHL win with the Flyers after replacing an injured Michal Neuvirth in the second period. Lyon saved 25 of 26 shots by the New York Rangers en route to a 7–4 victory.[14]

On May 9, 2018, in a playoff win over the Charlotte Checkers, Lyon saved 94 of 95 shots faced in a record-setting 146 minutes 48 seconds, making it the longest game in AHL history. The game went to the fifth overtime, with the Phantoms winning 2–1.[15]

On November 5, 2018, Lyon was recalled to Philadelphia following an injury to Michal Neuvirth.[16] Lyon was again recalled to the Flyers on November 16.[17]

On January 15, 2020, the Flyers recalled Lyon to the NHL following an injury to Carter Hart.[18] On February 1, 2020, Lyon recorded his first NHL win since March 22, 2018.[19]

Carolina Hurricanes

[edit]
Lyon with fellow Chicago Wolves goaltenders

Following the 2020–21 season, his fifth within the Philadelphia Flyers organization, Lyon left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 30, 2021.[20] Lyon played the majority of the season with the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves, only tallying two games with the Hurricanes. With the Wolves, Lyon finished the regular season with 18 wins and 3 shutouts, earning him the Hap Holmes Memorial Award for the AHL goaltender with the lowest goals against average.[21] He tallied two additional shutouts in the playoffs, including a 28-save shutout in the final game to win the Calder Cup.[22]

Florida Panthers

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On July 13, 2022, Lyon signed a two-way free agent contract with the Florida Panthers.[23] Lyon posting a 7–2 record with a 2.00 GAA over his last nine starts for the Charlotte Checkers. With Panthers starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky ill and regular backup goaltender Spencer Knight participating in the NHL's player assistance program for undisclosed issues, Lyon was called up to the NHL.[24][25] He proceeded to lead the team on a lengthy winning streak that brought the team back into contention for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, earning the nickname "the Lyon King."[26] Such was his success that he retained the starting role even after Bobrovsky returned, with the latter praising him, saying he "basically saved our season."[27] Lyon started the opening games of the Panthers' first round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. However, with the Bruins leading the Panthers two games to one following Game 3, coach Paul Maurice opted to return Bobrovsky to the net, stating that he felt Lyon was fatigued.[28] Bobrovsky proceeded to lead the team to victory against the Bruins, and onward through the second and third rounds of the playoffs to the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. Lyon served as backup goaltender.[29] He took the ice against in Game 2 of the Finals, relieving Bobrovsky after he allowed four goals.[30]

Detroit Red Wings

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On July 1, 2023, Lyon signed as a free agent to a two-year, $1.8 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.[31]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Czech Republic

Lyon won bronze with the US National Team at the 2015 World Championships in the Czech Republic,[32] seeing action in one game during the tournament.[33]

Personal life

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Along with his play, Lyon has become known for his humor. His running gag known as "Lyon Eyes"—an intense stare at the camera during off-ice footage—has become a favorite antic of fans.[34] After completing a 28-save shutout to give the Chicago Wolves the Calder Cup in 2022, Lyon was suspended for two games as the AHL's online stream captured him flipping double birds as celebratory photos were being taken.[35]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2010–11 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 1 0 1 0 60 5 0 5.00 .848 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 Omaha Lancers USHL 48 28 15 3 2,762 127 4 2.76 .910 4 1 3 237 13 0 3.30 .910
2012–13 Omaha Lancers USHL 50 26 21 1 2,894 128 1 2.65 .916 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Yale Bulldogs ECAC 30 14 11 5 1,764 71 3 2.41 .918 — — — — — — — —
2014–15 Yale Bulldogs ECAC 26 15 7 4 1,517 41 5 1.62 .938 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 Yale Bulldogs ECAC 26 18 4 4 1,589 40 4 1.51 .941 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 47 27 14 0 2,718 124 4 2.74 .912 2 0 1 115 4 0 2.07 .882
2017–18 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 27 16 8 2 1,548 71 0 2.75 .913 11 6 5 758 25 0 1.98 .944
2017–18 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 11 4 2 1 480 22 0 2.75 .905 — — — — — — — —
2018–19 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 39 19 17 3 2,321 106 1 2.74 .916 — — — — — — — —
2018–19 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 2 0 1 0 71 6 0 5.07 .806 — — — — — — — —
2019–20 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 32 11 14 5 1,763 79 1 2.69 .913 — — — — — — — —
2019–20 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 3 1 1 0 135 8 0 3.55 .890 — — — — — — — —
2020–21 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 4 2 1 0 194 11 0 3.40 .874 — — — — — — — —
2020–21 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 6 1 3 1 325 18 0 3.33 .893 — — — — — — — —
2021–22 Chicago Wolves AHL 30 18 7 3 1,665 60 3 2.16 .912 12 9 3 737 25 2 2.03 .923
2021–22 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 2 1 0 1 123 6 0 2.93 .908 — — — — — — — —
2022–23 Charlotte Checkers AHL 23 13 9 1 1,381 56 1 2.43 .910 — — — — — — — —
2022–23 Florida Panthers NHL 15 9 4 2 894 43 1 2.89 .914 4 1 2 199 12 0 3.63 .888
2023–24 Detroit Red Wings NHL 44 21 18 5 2,498 127 2 3.05 .904 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 83 37 29 10 4,525 230 3 3.05 .904 4 1 2 199 12 0 3.63 .888

International

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Year Team Event Result GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2024 United States WC 5th 2 1 1 0 82 3 0 2.20 .940
Senior totals 2 1 1 0 82 3 0 2.20 .940

Awards and honors

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Award Year
College
Ivy League Rookie of the Year 2013–14 [36]
All-Ivy League First Team Honorable Mention 2013–14 [36]
All-Ivy League First Team 2014–15 [37]
All-ECAC Hockey First Team 2014–15 [38]
All-Ivy League First Team 2015–16 [39]
AHL
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award 2021–22 [21]
Calder Cup champion 2022 [40]

References

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  1. ^ "Alex Lyon Stats and News". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  2. ^ "King of the Jungle". Minnesota Hockey. USA Hockey. February 3, 2016. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  3. ^ Frank, Frederick (January 30, 2014). "Men's Hockey: Heart of a Lyon". Yale Daily News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Yale freshman goalie Alex Lyon has impressed, so far". New Haven Register. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  5. ^ Nelson, Loren (October 14, 2010). "'Dock boy' has come long way". MN Boys' Hockey Club. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Silverman, Cat (May 9, 2018). "Alex Lyon backstops Lehigh Valley to 94-save win in longest AHL game in history". InGoal Magazine. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "MEN'S HOCKEY: Alex Lyon '17, star goaltender, to depart for NHL". yaledailynews.com. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  8. ^ "Lyon Wins Dryden Award – Yale Bulldogs". www.yalebulldogs.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  9. ^ "Alex Lyon – Yale Bulldogs". www.yalebulldogs.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-28. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  10. ^ "League Announces Postseason Awards – ECAC Hockey". ecachockey.com. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-03-20. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  11. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey All-Ivy, Postseason Awards Announced – Ivy League". www.ivyleaguesports.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  12. ^ "Flyers agree to terms with goaltender Alex Lyon". flyers.nhl.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  13. ^ Boruk, John (February 2, 2018). "Alex Lyon's 1st NHL start has devilish finish". nbcsports.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  14. ^ Satriano, David (February 18, 2018). "Lyon, Giroux power Flyers past Rangers". NHL.com. New York. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  15. ^ "Flyers prospect Lyon makes 94 saves in longest game in AHL history". NHL.com. May 10, 2018. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "OTF: Lyon recalled; Neuvirth on IR". NHL.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  17. ^ "OTF: Flyers recall Alex Lyon". NHL.com. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  18. ^ "ROSTER UPDATE: Carter Hart out 2-3 weeks". NHL.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-28. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  19. ^ "Meltzer's Player Profiles: Alex Lyon". NHL.com. 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-06-21. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  20. ^ "Lyon signs with Carolina Hurricanes". WFMZ-TV. July 30, 2021. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Pr, Ahl. "Wolves' Lyon wins Hap Holmes Award". theahl.com. Archived from the original on 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  22. ^ Pr, Ahl. "Chicago is Calder City again". theahl.com. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  23. ^ "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Goaltender Alex Lyon". 13 July 2022.
  24. ^ "Panthers goalie Spencer Knight enters NHL and NHLPA player assistance program". Sportsnet. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  25. ^ Dwork, David (20 April 2023). "Faith shown by Panthers in Alex Lyon being rewarded ten times over". The Hockey News. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  26. ^ Dwork, David (6 April 2023). "With Alex Lyon on fire and Sergei Bobrovsky nearing a return, which goalie will Florida roll with?". The Hockey News. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  27. ^ LeBrun, Pierre (3 May 2023). "Sergei Bobrovsky's humility might be the driving force behind his playoff success". The Athletic. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  28. ^ Dwork, David (24 April 2023). "Decision to start Sergei Bobrovsky over Alex Lyon was a gamble that did not pay off". The Hockey News. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  29. ^ Dwork, David (29 May 2023). "Alex Lyon embracing role of backup, enjoying watching Sergei Bobrovsky on 'best run ever'". The Hockey News. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  30. ^ Ramirez, W.G. (6 June 2023). "Bobrovsky pulled, other stars struggle as Panthers fall behind 2-0 in Stanley Cup Final". Associated Press. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  31. ^ Roth, Thomas (July 1, 2023). "Red Wings sign goaltender Alex Lyon to two-year contract". NHL.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Team USA Takes Home The Bronze". Let's Go Hawks. Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  33. ^ "Teams – 2015 WM – International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF". www.iihfworlds2015.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  34. ^ "The Alex Lyon eyes will never not be funny!". TikTok. BarDown. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Ex-Flyers goalie gets hit with 2-game AHL suspension for a flippin' celebration". NBC Sports Philadelphia. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  36. ^ a b "Men's Ice Hockey All-Ivy – 2013–14". Ivy League. 2014-03-07. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  37. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey All-Ivy, Coach of the Year Announced". Ivy League. 2015-03-05. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
  38. ^ "League Announces Postseason Awards". ECAC Hockey. 2015-03-20. Archived from the original on 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
  39. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey All-Ivy, Coach of the Year Announced". Ivy League. 2016-03-03. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
  40. ^ "Chicago is Calder City again". American Hockey League. June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ken Dryden Award
2014–15, 2015–16 		Succeeded by
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