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Empire Alum to make NHL Debut

By Chris Barling, 02/11/15, 10:45AM EST

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The Jersey Hitmen are proud to announce that Empire Alumni goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been recalled by the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League. Stolarz will become the first ever member of the Hitmen organization to see his name appear on an NHL score sheet when he suits up for the Flyers on Tuesday, February 10th.

Stolarz was a member of the Hitmen Empire team that made an appearance in the USA Hockey National Championship tournament during the 2010-11 season. Stolarz appeared in 16 Empire league games during the 10-11 season posting a 10-4-0 record while recording a 3.19 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. Stolarz picked up an additional 3 playoff victories as well as another 2 in the National Championship tournament.

Anthony was drafted in the 2nd Round (44th overall) by the Flyers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Stolarz completed his junior career with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) over two seasons, earning a 38-8-4 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage after playing eight games with the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

The 21 year old native of Jackson, NJ is in the midst of his first professional season and has appeared in 22 games this season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL). To date Stolarz has earned a 7-10-1 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage including two shutouts. Stolarz made his professional debut on Oct. 18, 2014 against the Adirondack Flames, saving 32 of 35 shots in a loss. He earned his first professional win and shutout on Nov. 21 against the Worcester Sharks, saving 36 shots en route to the 4-0 victory.

Chris Barling, who was Stolarz’s coach with the Hitmen had this to say about his former goaltender. “I couldn’t be happier for Anthony to realize his dream of making it to the NHL. There are so few players who are able to reach hockey’s ultimate level and to see someone with such great character and work ethic get to this point is truly special. Anthony is a fantastic person and a special talent. I wish him all the best and I am looking forward to seeing him succeed. He has definitely made myself, and all of the Hitmen staff proud.”