2010-11 Season Review: John Curry

Will John Curry return to the WBS Penguins next season?

Player: John Curry
Role: Backup Goaltender
Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent on July 1st

Notables: 27 years old, 5-11, 185 lbs, Glove hand: Left

Season stats: 41 games played: 23-13 record, 2.44 GAA, .905 SV%
Playoff stats: Did not play

John Curry probably doesn't get much, if any credit for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins success this season. Curry and his counterpart, Brad Thiessen, alternated starts during the beginning of the season and the two combined for a perfect 8-0 start through October. That started to change in November however, when Curry lost his first two starts of the month and finished an average 3-2. Thiessen seemed to have the edge, going 6-2 in the same month.

As the season wore on, it became more evident who the starter was and who became the backup goalie. Not to take anything away from the season Curry had, but Thiessen was simply having a season for the ages. Despite all of that, Curry picked up his 100th win in a Penguins uniform this season in dramatic fashion when Bryan Lerg scored in overtime to beat the Hershey Bears at Giant Center to clinch the East Division title.

What most people don't realize however, is that Curry improved upon last season in almost every statistical category. He tied his wins total from a year ago in less appearances. His goals against average lower, and his save percentage higher. He even notched one more shutout (2) than he had in his prior season.  Still, the road ahead for the Penguins netminder is very unclear. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent when the calendar hits July and with the way Thiessen has played, Curry might have played out his last days with the Penguins.

If the organization does offer him a contract between now and July 1st, he can certainly accept and come back, but he will most likely be the #4 goalie in the organization. At 27 years old, Curry is certainly entering the prime years of his hockey career and might opt to sign with a team he feels gives him a better chance to make the jump to the NHL. Either way, Curry has certainly had a fine career with the WBS Penguins and I wish him the best of luck next season, no matter where he ends up.