Chad Alban

Chad Alban
Born	(1976-04-27) April 27, 1976 Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Shot	Right
Playing career	1991–2009

Chad Alban is a retired professional ice hockey player.

Career

Alban started his college career at Michigan State in 1994. He became the starter in his sophomore season and held the job for the next three years. Alban's senior season saw the goaltender post program records in most goaltending categories including goals against average (1.57), save percentage (.926), shutouts (6) and was one win behind Jason Muzzatti for the most in team history. Alban became just the fourth college goaltender to be credited with a goal near the end of the season but he was the first to have actually shot the puck on goal. He led the Spartans to their first conference championship in eight years and allowed only five goals in four games as MSU won the CCHA Tournament. Unfortunately, in the first game of the NCAA Tournament, the team they defeated for the conference crown (Ohio State) won 4–3 in overtime, ending Alban's college career. As of 2020 Alban is still the career leader in wins for the Spartans. He finished as the runner up to Chris Drury for the 1998 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best college player.

Alban played minor league hockey for several teams over the next few years and was eventually signed to a contract by the Dallas Stars. While he stayed mostly with the Utah Grizzlies, Alban was called up twice to serve as a backup, riding the bench for three games in the early 2000's. Because he did not play in the games he isn't considered an NHL player. After leaving the Stars organization, he joined the Kalamazoo Wings for three years before heading to Russia and played in the Russian Super League for two seasons. Alban ended his playing career in 2009 after two more years with the Flint Generals.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1991–92	Kalamazoo Jr. Wings	NAHL
1992–93	Kalamazoo Jr. Wings	NAHL
1994–95	Michigan State	CCHA		13	8	2	0	637	29	0	2.73	.893		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Michigan State	CCHA		40	26	13	1	2,286	117	3	3.07	.876		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Michigan State	CCHA		39	23	11	4	2,272	103	3	2.72	.894		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Michigan State	CCHA		40	31	4	5	2,438	64	6	1.57	.926		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Mobile Mysticks	ECHL		34	16	14	3	1,960	111	1	3.40	.902		2	0	2	119	9	0	4.54	.897
1998–99	Houston Aeros	IHL		5	1	3	1	284	14	0	2.95	.898		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Mobile Mysticks	ECHL		39	25	13	1	2,334	114	0	2.93	.914		5	2	3	299	20	0	4.01	.900
1999–00	Utah Grizzlies	IHL		1	0	1	0	35	3	0	5.16	.813		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Idaho Steelheads	WCHL		20	14	5	1	1,121	56	1	3.00	.900		10
2000–01	Grand Rapids Griffins	IHL		3	2	1	0	180	4	1	1.33	.953		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Utah Grizzlies	IHL		11	2	4	4	597	23	0	2.31	.926		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Utah Grizzlies	AHL		42	17	15	1	2,103	103	2	2.94	.908		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		2	1	0	0	77	3	0	2.34	.893		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Kalamazoo Wings	UHL		54	21	25	5	3,084	175	1	3.40	.896		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Kalamazoo Wings	UHL		54	34	13	16	3,200	122	8	2.29	.913		5
2004–05	Kalamazoo Wings	UHL		54	33	16	5	3,227	132	2	2.45	.907		3
2005–06	HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk	RSL		16				850	29	2	2.05	.909		5
2006–07	Traktor Chelyabinsk	RSL		11				646	31	0	2.88			—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Flint Generals	IHL		14	9	3	2	799	33	1	2.48	.927		5	1	4	318	19	0	3.59	.894
2008–09	Flint Generals	IHL		51	15	29	6	2,927	213	1	4.36	.882		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NCAA totals				132	88	30	10	7,633	313	12	2.46	.8997		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
UHL/IHL totals				227	112	86	34	13,237	675	13	3.06	.900		13

Awards and honors

Award	Year
CCHA All-Tournament Team	1997
All-CCHA First Team	1997–98
AHCA East First Team All-American	1997–98

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database