New Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Celebrates Day with Cup

The New Jersey native and Stanley Cup champion spent his day meeting fans, taking photographs, signing autographs, having cookies and sipping drinks from hockey's holy grail. Danielle Kermizian (@danicannfit) shared some of the festivities on her instagram page here:

The towering 6'6, 243 pound goaltender signed two year, $5 million ($2.5 million AAV) deal on July 1st with the Toronto Maple Leafs (alongside fellow Florida Panther Oliver Ekman-Larsson) after his cup win as a backup for the Florida Panthers. In an interview with the media after signing his contract, Stolarz expressed his excitement to compete for more starts with Toronto's other goaltender, Joseph Woll.

"I felt in Florida I kind of knew my role as a backup, whereas here, Woller and I are going to be competing for starts and as a goalie, that's all you can ask for."

Woll and Stolarz don't have much NHL experience, but career numbers suggest they should form a very effective tandem. In 27 games last year, Stolarz posted a fantastic .925 save percentage, minuscule GAA (goals against average) of 2.03 and a win/loss record of 16-7-2.

Stolarz has been a bit of a journeyman throughout his NHL career so far, making stops in Philadelphia, Edmonton, Anaheim and their AHL teams before his arrival in Florida.

Barring injury, Toronto has two solid goalies who can occasionally steal games and hopefully push each other to new heights of success. The net is Woll's for now, but that could change quickly. May the best man win.

Source: The Hockey News
Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Celebrates His Day with the Stanley Cup at Jersey Shore's Bar Anticipation