(Rochester, July 9)... Rochester Americans goaltender Tyler Plante is this week’s featured player on Amerks.com in the fifth installment of the team’s summer player profiles. Plante recently completed his third season with Rochester in 2009-10, capturing career-bests with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in just 27 games between the pipes. The 23-year-old netminder also finished with a career-high 701 saves, three shutouts and even assisted on two goals in the same campaign that saw him play in his 100th professional game. 

His best performance of the season came in the month of March when he compiled a 1.88 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and two shutouts in nine appearances, earning Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month honors and helping Rochester clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2007. A week later, Plante would be named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week heading into the final week of the regular season. Plante was also impressive during the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs, posting a 3-3 record with a 2.43 GAA and .935 SP% while appearing in all seven games for the Amerks. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the 6-foot-4, 191-pound netminder has compiled a 23-38-3 record with a 3.14 GAA and a .900 SP% in 71 career games for the Amerks.

For the third straight summer, Amerks.com will highlight a different Amerks player each Friday throughout the summer months. The weekly online segment will allow fans to stay better connected with some of their favorite players and see how they spend their time during the offseason. Fans can learn about the players favorite moments from this past season, see what they enjoy most about playing in Rochester and even where they can be found vacationing this summer. Make sure to check Amerks.com and the Amerks’ Facebook page each week to stay up-to-date with your favorite players.

1.) What was the high point of the 2009-10 season?
Making the Playoffs for the first time in my career.

2.) Where did you go after the season ended?
New York City.

3.) When will you begin on-ice training?
I always begin training right around May.
           
4.) What are you working on to get to the NHL?
My abs.

5.) How do you spend your free time?
At the lake collecting sea shells.

6.) What is your favorite vacation spot?
Rocky Lake, Manitoba.

7.) Did you watch the NHL Playoffs? If so, what team were you pulling for?
‘Philly’ because they play the “Rocky” anthem before games.

8.) Any plans for the summer?
Being a beach bum.
 
9.) Who is your favorite athlete?
Mike Duco because he is so strong.
 
10.)  What’s one thing you can’t live without?
My SeaDoo.
 
11.)  In the summer, do you prefer to work out or cook out?
Both at the same time.
 
12.)  What is your favorite junk food?
Beef, pineapple, mushroom and feta pizza from Pizza Express back home in Brandon, Manitoba.
 
13.)  What is your favorite sports movie?
Talladega Nights. 
 
14.)  What do you enjoy the most about playing in Rochester? 
 Shamrock Jacks seafood and steak in Sea Breeze.
 
15.)  Who on your team is destined to become a reality TV star? 
 Mike Duco – the ultimate fighter.
 
16.)   Why is hockey the best sport?
The fighting.
 
17.)  Are you looking forward to 2010-11?
Yes.

FAVORITES:
Movie: Talladega Nights
Book: The Diaries of Nikki Sixx
Food: Prime Rib served on Thursdays from Shamrock Jacks in Sea Breeze
TV Show: House and American Dad
Part About Hockey: Watching Fights
Hockey Moment: Winning Air Canada Cup
Band: Motley Crue and George Strait
Song: I’m A Little More Country Than That by Eastin Corbin
Vacation Spot: Rocky Lake, Manitoba
Team: Florida Panthers
Hockey Player Growing Up: Patrick Roy