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International Success Continues in NHL for Ducks' Gibson

By Dan Scifo - Special to USAHockey.com, 02/22/16, 9:15AM MST

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John Gibson backstopped Team USA to U18 and World Junior titles

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson doesn’t worry too much about his individual statistics.

For Gibson, it’s all about the team.

And that’s a good thing because the 22-year-old Gibson has already brought his teammates a great deal of success at a young age.

Gibson is one of the most promising U.S. goaltending prospects, and success has followed the Pittsburgh native at each stop, beginning at the international level and now in the NHL.

“I guess it’s an honor any time anybody says that about you,” Gibson said in reference to being one of the top U.S.-born prospects. “I don’t know, I don’t really think about it too much.”

Gibson was initially cut from his high school team outside of Pittsburgh, but that didn’t stop him. Gibson played a year of AAA hockey and eventually earned an invite to the U.S. National Team Development Program in Michigan, where he thrived.

“I just wanted to go there and do my best,” Gibson said. “That was really it. I didn’t think too much about it. I really had no idea what to expect.”

Gibson remains tied for third in NTDP history for single-season save percentage (.921) and still sits eighth with his 24 wins in 2010-11.

“You play against some of the best players at a young age,” Gibson said. “It definitely helps get you ready.”

Gibson shined brightest on the world stage, initially in 2011 when he was named best goaltender with a 6-0 record, 2.34 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage after backstopping the U.S. to a third straight U18 world title in Germany.

“Any time you play for a U.S. team, I think that’s the goal,” Gibson said. “It was good.”

Success continued during the 2013 World Junior Championships in Russia, when Gibson posted a .955 save percentage and a 1.36 GAA in seven games, again leading the U.S. to gold. Gibson took the best goaltender award in addition to most valuable player honors during the tournament.

“To be able to have success twice was an awesome accomplishment,” Gibson said. “The World Juniors is the bigger tournament, so probably that one [was more special].

“I was fortunate enough to have success, and the team had success. It was just a good team. I think that’s why we were able to win.”

The ride continued when Gibson was named to the 2013 IIHF World Championship roster at just 19 years old. But he wasn’t just named to the team. He thrived again.

Gibson finished with a 3-1 record and a bronze medal, allowing just eight goals with a 1.56 GAA, a .951 save percentage and one shutout in a tournament that featured NHL stars such as Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos and Paul Stastny.

That helped earn Gibson a spot at the USA Hockey orientation camp and consideration for a spot on the U.S. team that competed at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

“I think they wanted to bring some young guys in for the future,” Gibson said. “But it was cool to be part of it and see and meet some of those guys on the team. It was fun.”

Now, the focus is Gibson’s NHL career in Anaheim. He was ranked first among North American goaltenders and drafted No. 39 overall in 2011, and then became the youngest goalie to earn a shutout in his regular-season debut and did one better when he was the youngest to post a shutout in his Stanley Cup playoffs debut.

Gibson struggled with injuries during his first full season in Anaheim, but he has rebounded nicely this year with his first All-Star Game appearance, and he ranks among the league leaders in save percentage and led the league in GAA at the time of the break.

“I think you’re always going to have ups and downs,” Gibson said. “You just try to be the most consistent that you can.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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