New jersey kid gets ice time in goal during stanley cup finals, gets into fight

Panthers Replace Bobrovsky Mid-Game in Stanley Cup Final Rout With Jackson Township hockey native Anthony Stolarz

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Former Jackson Memorial High School goalie Anthony Stolarz has been a back-up goalie since making the NHL with Philadelphia Flyers a few years ago, but this week, he got to play in the Stanley Cup finals for the Florida Panthers.

His time on the ice in Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals involved getting into a fight, a rare occurrence for a goalie, but Stolarz definitely brought Jersey into the game.

The Florida Panthers made a pivotal goaltending change during Game 4 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Sergei Bobrovsky was relieved by Anthony Stolarz after allowing five goals on 16 shots, contributing to an eventual 8-1 loss for the Panthers.

Bobrovsky, a Vezina Trophy finalist, had been a stalwart in the playoffs prior to this game, boasting impressive statistics.

Coach Paul Maurice cited the decision as necessary due to the Oilers’ early offensive dominance, which included three goals in the first period and two quick goals in the second. The Panthers’ defense struggled to contain Edmonton’s attacks, prompting the change to Stolarz midway through the game.

Stolarz, in his first playoff appearance, initially performed well but faced late challenges as the Oilers continued to pressure.

Born in Edison, New Jersey, on January 20, 1994, Anthony Stolarz has traced a unique path through the competitive world of ice hockey. Initially attending St. John Vianney High School, Stolarz transferred to Jackson Memorial High School, where he played hockey and basketball for two years. His journey took a significant turn when he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to finish high school and play with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League.

Stolarz, a lifelong New Jersey Devils fan, was heavily influenced by iconic goaltender Martin Brodeur and his older brother Todd, a goalie for a junior team in New Jersey. From a young age, Stolarz adopted the butterfly goaltending style, a decision that was augmented by his final growth spurt during high school, which saw him reach a height of 6 feet 6 inches.

His hockey career continued to evolve as he attended the University of Nebraska Omaha on a scholarship. However, his tenure with the Omaha Mavericks was brief, lasting only eight games before he chose to sign with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. This decision marked another pivotal step in his aspiring professional career.

Stolarz’s youth was filled with significant experiences in hockey, including playing in tournaments in Wildwood and Vineland, New Jersey. He also participated in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2007 and played for the Devils’ under-16 youth national hockey team in 2009.

Through these experiences, Anthony Stolarz has developed a robust foundation in ice hockey, driven by family influence and his early adoption of advanced playing styles. His career continues to inspire many young athletes in the sport. (source)

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