EHC Red Bull Munich Signs Evan Fitzpatrick to Bolster Goaltending Amidst Kolarz Injury
EHC Red Bull Munich has bolstered its goaltending corps by signing Canadian netminder Evan Fitzpatrick in response to the injury sustained by Christopher Kolarz.
Kolarz’s Injury and Fitzpatrick’s Acquisition
Christopher Kolarz, a 23-year-old netminder, sustained a lower-body injury that will sideline him for a minimum of two weeks. To address this setback, the four-time German champions have acquired Evan Fitzpatrick from HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas in Slovakia. Fitzpatrick is immediately eligible to play.
Fitzpatrick’s Pedigree and Career
Evan Fitzpatrick, 27, is a Canadian-born goaltender who was drafted 59th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Despite his promising draft position, Fitzpatrick has yet to make an appearance in the NHL.
Prior to joining EHC Red Bull Munich, Fitzpatrick spent the 2022-23 season with HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas in Slovakia. In 24 games, he posted a respectable .915 save percentage and a 2.66 goals against average.
Rationale for Fitzpatrick’s Signing
EHC Red Bull Munich’s signing of Evan Fitzpatrick is a strategic move to address the void left by Kolarz’s injury. Sport director Christian Winkler expressed his delight at Fitzpatrick’s availability:
"We are very happy that a player of Evan’s quality was available to us at such short notice. With him, we are expanding our depth in the goaltending position even further and securing ourselves for the intensive weeks ahead."
Fitzpatrick’s Value to Munich
Evan Fitzpatrick brings several valuable attributes to EHC Red Bull Munich:
- Experience: Despite not playing in the NHL, Fitzpatrick has amassed significant experience in professional hockey, including stints in the AHL, ECHL, and Slovakian Extraliga.
- Proven Performer: Fitzpatrick’s performance with HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas demonstrates his ability to deliver consistent results in a competitive European league.
- Depth Addition: Fitzpatrick’s presence provides Munich with an experienced backup capable of stepping in for Kolarz or Dominik Furch in case of injury or other circumstances.
Conclusion
EHC Red Bull Munich’s acquisition of Evan Fitzpatrick is a prudent measure to mitigate the impact of Kolarz’s injury. Fitzpatrick’s experience, proven performance, and depth addition make him a valuable asset to the team as they navigate the upcoming stretch of intense competition.
