Alex Tracy Named Dave Peterson Goaltender of Year, Lead Sioux City to Championship

“My individual accolades were a testament to how good of a team we had,” Tracy said. “They put pucks in the net, they blocked shots and played the majority of games in the offensive zone. They definitely made my job easier.”

Tracy lost back-to-back starts in regulation just once all season, on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. Following that January start, Tracy went on to win 18 of the next 22 games with one shutout. He led the USHL with 44 regular-season games played and finished third with 2,427 minutes played. Tracy also played in two shootouts and won them both.

“There were definitely some ups and downs,” Tracy said. “I had a good start to the year, but like everyone who plays hockey knows, you’re not always going to have your best games in the middle of the year. I worked on my mental game and I think it paid off because as soon as I got back on track I never looked back and neither did our team as we accomplished our ultimate goal.”

Tracy previously played for the Johnstown Tomahawks in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2019-2020 season. Tracy, who played youth hockey with the Chicago Fury, won both NAHL East Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

Tracy admitted to a rough mid-season stretch with Sioux City, but he eventually figured out his issues and that poise carried him through to the end of the year.

“Most of it was mental,” Tracy said. “As soon as I started stringing together wins, I was able to ride that confidence for the rest of the season. I was telling people close to me that I was more nervous for early regular-season games than my first career USHL playoff game. It was a testament to how well I was able to play in the playoffs.”

Tracy went 8-2 in the USHL playoffs. He had a .937 save percentage and a 1.59 goals-against average with three shutouts.

Tracy helped Sioux City defeat Waterloo, Tri-City and Madison to win the Musketeers’ first Clark Cup championship in 20 years. Tracy was named the playoff MVP.

“Every single person was dialed in and focused on our one goal,” Tracy said. “It was the best experience of my life and I’m super excited we were able to get it done.”

In early December, Tracy announced his commitment to play Division I college hockey and further his education at Minnesota State University Mankato. This past season, led by Dryden McKay, the Hobey Baker Award winner, Minnesota State reached the national championship game.

“I’m super excited to go to such a prestigious school,” Tracy said. “It was definitely exciting from the moment I committed. Now that we were able to bring home a Clark Cup championship, I’m looking towards the future and I couldn’t be more excited to get started with Minnesota State.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.