Tom McCollum

Tom McCollum
Born	December 7, 1989 Amherst, NY, USA
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams	Calgary Flames Stockton Heat (AHL) Detroit Red Wings
National team	United States
NHL Draft	30th overall, 2008 Detroit Red Wings
Playing career	2009–present

Thomas McCollum (born December 7, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing with the Stockton Heat in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). McCollum was drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. McCollum was born in Amherst, New York, but grew up in Sanborn, New York.

Playing career

Amateur

McCollum started playing goalie when, during a mite hockey game, the goalie on his team quit; McCollum switched from defence and took over in net at the next practice.^[1]

Drafted by the Guelph Storm in the OHL draft, McCollum had the choice of playing with a Junior A team near his hometown of Sanborn, New York, but instead opted to play major junior for the Storm, citing the challenge of the OHL as a strong deciding factor.^[1] He also was shown great support from Guelph residents at a restaurant before signing.^[2]

Playing for the Storm in his rookie season in 2006–07, McCollum was named an All-Star, recording 5 shutouts, a 2.39 goals against average (GAA), and a .918 save percentage. He posted similar numbers the following season, in 2007–08, including a 1.91 GAA, .937 save percentage performance in the playoffs as Guelph was ousted in the second round. He was nominated for the OHL Goaltender of the Year, awarded to Mike Murphy of the Belleville Bulls, in addition to being named the Storm's Academic Player of the Year. Going into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, McCollum was the first ranked North American goaltender by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He would be drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the second goaltender selected, behind Chet Pickard, who was chosen 18th overall by the Nashville Predators.

McCollum returned to the Storm for a third OHL season in 2008-09, however, he was traded to the Brampton Battalion following his efforts at the 2009 World Junior Championships.^[3] McCollum had a 17–10–4 record with a 2.23 GAA and a .926 save percentage with Guelph.

McCollum took over the starters role with the Battalion, and posted a 17–6–0 record with Brampton, as he had a 1.94 GAA and a .929 save percentage. He was named to the 2009 OHL All-Star Classic along with new teammates Cody Hodgson, Matt Duchene and Evgeny Grachev.^[4] McCollum put up a 13-8 record with a 2.90 GAA and a .898 save percentage in the playoffs, as Brampton lost to the Windsor Spitfires in the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals.

Professional

The Detroit Red Wings had McCollum split the 2009–10 season between the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. In six games with Toledo, McCollum had a 2-1-0 record with a 4.48 GAA and a save percentage of .864. With the Griffins, McCollum appeared in 30 games, as he had a 10-16-2 record with a 3.48 GAA and a .881 save percentage.

On March 28, 2011, after injuries to Red Wings goalies Chris Osgood and Jimmy Howard, McCollum was called up from Toledo to serve as Detroit's backup. He was in uniform for Detroit's game that night against Chicago. He made his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues on March 30, 2011, replacing starting goaltender Joey MacDonald midway through the second period with the score 5-2 to the Blues. McCollum conceded 3 goals on 8 shots and was himself pulled at the end of the second period. Detroit went on to lose the game 10-3.

On July 22, 2013, McCollum signed a one-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins.^[5] During the 2013–14 season, McCollum posted a 24–12–4 record with a 2.30 GAA, a .922 save percentage and two shutouts in 46 games. After five AHL seasons, McCollum ranks third all time among Griffins goaltenders, trailing Joey MacDonald and Jimmy Howard in games played (159) and wins (69).

On July 11, 2014, McCollum signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings.^[6] On January 11, 2015, McCollum was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. Prior to being recalled, McCollum posted a 10–8–3 record with a 2.33 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 21 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins.^[7] McCollum made his first appearance of the season for the Red Wings on January 18, in a relief appearance for Petr Mrázek, after Mrázek allowed three goals on six shots in the first period to the Buffalo Sabres. The Red Wings rallied to score four unanswered goals, and won the game by a final of 6–4, to earn McCollum his first career NHL win.^[8] On February 4, 2015, McCollum was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, after appearing in two games for the Red Wings this season, where he posted a 0.91 goals-against average, and 0.960 save percentage.^[9] During the 2014–15 season, McCollum, appeared in 37 games for the Griffins, posting a 19–11–7 record, a 2.40 GAA and a .916 save percentage.

During the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs McCollum became the first Griffins goalie to win five consecutive home playoff games, while tying Marc Lamothe's postseason record of five consecutive victories overall set in 2003.^[10]

McCollum was awarded the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Grand Rapids community during the 2014–15 season.^[11]

On July 1, 2015, McCollum signed a one-year contract extension with the Red Wings.^[12] On January 15, 2016, McCollum was assigned to the Toledo Walleye for conditioning. McCollum has played in 10 games with the Griffins this season, posting a 4–6–0 record, a 2.53 GAA and a .924 save percentage. He was injured on December 5, 2015, while earning his fourth straight win with a 4–1 decision over the Lake Erie Monsters.^[13]

After the 2015–16 season, McCollum ended his seven-year association with the Red Wings. Leaving as a free agent and later accepted a professional try-out contract to attend the Los Angeles Kings training camp on August 16, 2016.^[14] After his release from the Kings, on October 15, 2016, McCollum secured a NHL contract in signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Calgary Flames.^[15]

International play

McCollum represent the United States at the 2009 World Junior Championships, finishing in fifth place. McCollum took the selection as a great honour.^[2]

Off the ice

McCollum assists in goaltending camps near his hometown in Western New York.^[1] McCollum also plays pro Roller Hockey in the summer.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T/OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2006–07	Guelph Storm	OHL		55	26	18	10	3,158	126	5	2.39	.918		4	0	4	233	17	0	4.37	.890
2007–08	Guelph Storm	OHL		51	25	17	6	2,978	124	4	2.50	.914		10	5	5	596	19	1	1.91	.937
2008–09	Guelph Storm	OHL		31	17	10	4	1,859	69	3	2.23	.926		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Brampton Battalion	OHL		23	17	6	0	1,333	43	4	1.94	.929		21	13	8	1,284	62	1	2.90	.898
2009–10	Toledo Walleye	ECHL		6	2	1	0	188	14	0	4.48	.864		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		30	10	16	2	1,741	101	0	3.48	.884		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Toledo Walleye	ECHL		23	11	9	2	1,305	60	3	2.76	.909		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		22	6	12	2	1,152	64	1	3.33	.879		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		1	0	0	0	15	3	0	12.00	.625		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		28	11	16	0	1,580	92	0	3.49	.891		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Toledo Walleye	ECHL		15	6	6	2	870	38	0	2.62	.909		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		31	18	11	2	1,846	81	2	2.63	.904		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		46	24	12	4	2,561	98	2	2.30	.922		1	0	0	34	2	0	3.50	.875
2014–15	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		37	19	11	1	2,171	87	1	2.40	.916		15	9	6	894	38	0	2.55	.916
2014–15	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		2	1	0	0	66	1	0	0.91	.960		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		30	15	13	0	1,686	68	1	2.42	.923		7	3	3	401	16	0	2.39	.919
2015–16	Toledo Walleye	ECHL		1	1	0	0	60	3	0	3.00	.893		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				3	1	0	0	81	4	0	2.98	.879		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

References

1. Chris Pope. "The Future Behind the Winged Wheel". The Good Point. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
2. "The Future Behind the Winged Wheel". The Good Point. May 19, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
3. "McCollum trade to Brampton". Guelph Mercury. January 9, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
4. "Whalers captain Chris Terry named to 2009 OHL All-Star Game". MLive.com. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
5. Kujawa, Kyle (July 22, 2013). "McCollum agrees to AHL contract". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
6. Roose, Bill (July 11, 2014). "McCollum earns one-year NHL contract". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
7. Kujawa, Kyle (January 11, 2015). "Detroit recalls goalie McCollum from AHL". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
8. Roose, Bill (January 19, 2015). "McCollum's drive leads to right exit". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
9. Kujawa, Kyle (February 4, 2015). "Goaltender Tom McCollum assigned to Grand Rapids". Detroit Red Wings. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
10. "Pork Chopped". Grand Rapids Griffins. May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
11. "McCollum Named Griffins' 2014-15 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year". Grand Rapids Griffins. April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
12. "Miele, McCollum re-sign with Red Wings". Detroit Red Wings. July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
13. "Movement to Toledo". Grand Rapids Griffins. January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
14. "Tom McCollum, former Red Wings draft pick, finds new team". MLive.com. 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
15. "Flames sign McCollum to two-year, two-way contract". The Hockey News. 2016-10-15. Retrieved 2016-10-15.

External links

• Tom McCollum's career statistics at EliteProspects.com
  
• Tom McCollum's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Tom McCollum's player profile at TSN.ca