MILWAUKEE—UMass Lowell hockey goaltender
Gustavs Davis Grigals (Riga, Latvia) has signed on with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) through the 2023-24 season, as announced Wednesday by the club.
"We're very happy to hear Gustavs has signed his first professional contract. He had a tremendous season establishing career highs in goals against and save percentage," remarked Head Coach
Norm Bazin. "His competitiveness and work ethic stand out among his many strong traits. We wish him well as he tackles the next chapter in his hockey career with the Nashville Predators organization."
A graduate transfer from Alaska Fairbanks, Grigals joined the River Hawks ahead of the 2022-23 slate and made an immediate impact. In his debut between the pipes, Grigals stopped 27 shots to lead UMass Lowell to a 4-0 shutout on opening night against St. Lawrence. A 2023 Hobey Baker Award nominee, Grigals finished the season with a .924 save percentage and a 2.05 GAA to rank sixth and seventh in the nation.
Highlighting the final season of his collegiate career, the Latvian-born netminder went 4-1-1 in January while posting a 1.81 GAA and .939 save percentage to be named the Stop It Goaltending Goaltender of the Month. After leading the River Hawks to their third straight Hockey East Tournament appearances, Grigals was tabbed a Hockey East Third Team All-Star.
