David Littman
Born (1967-06-13) June 13, 1967
Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Right
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Tampa Bay Lightning
National team  United States
NHL Draft 211th overall, 1987
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 19892000

David K. Littman (born June 13, 1967) is an American former ice hockey goaltender. He played three games in the National Hockey League: two with the Buffalo Sabres and one with the Tampa Bay Lightning between 1991 and 1993. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1989 to 2000, was mainly spent in the minor International Hockey League. He was drafted in the eleventh round, 211th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Sabres. Internationally Littman played for the American national team at the 1994 World Championships.

Playing career

Collegiate

Littman spent four years at Boston College studying communications. In his senior year, Littman served as one of three captains on the team as the Eagles qualified for the NCAA final eight. He ended his season with .912 saves and a .895 percentage.[1] In 2000, his BC record of 2,548 career saves was broken by Scott Clemmensen.[2] As a result, he was selected for the AHCA East Second-Team All-American.[3] He was drafted in the eleventh round, 211th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.[4]

Professional

Littman attended the Sabres training camp but was reassigned to their International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, to begin the 1989–90 season.[5] However, the 1990–91 would prove to be a breakout season for him. On January 29, 1991, Littman made his NHL debut by replacing Darcy Wakaluk in the second period. Littman saved 15 of 18 shots in an 8–3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.[6] Upon their return to the IHL, both Littman and Wakaluk also set a new Rochester record for most points and assists by a goaltender with seven each.[7] He was also selected for the 1991 All-Star Game. Littman shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding goaltender, with teammate Darcy Wakaluk.[8]

The following year, he was again the recipient of the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award.[9]

On August 28, 1992, Littman signed with the new NHL expansion team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.[10] Although he began the season in the minor leagues with the Atlanta Knights, Littman was recalled to the NHL in November 1992.[11] His stay in the National Hockey League was short-lived and he was reassigned to the IHL. He became a free agent at the end of the season.[12]

As a result of his successful stints with the Atlanta Knights, Littman was selected to compete with Team USA at the 1994 IIHF World Championship, where they finished fourth in the tournament. Before his retirement, Littman played with the IHL's Orlando Solar Bears, recording 53 wins over two years before a career-ending knee injury.[13]

Later life

After working for the Solar Bears as a color commentator, Littman joined EA Sports. He began as a quality assurance associate but later was promoted to producer on the NHL series of games.[14]

Personal life

Littman was born in Queens, New York, but grew up on Long Island. His family moved to Rhode Island prior to his acceptance to Boston College.[13] Littman was raised Jewish.[15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPWLTMINGASOGAASV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1984–85 New Hampton School HS-NH
1984–85 Oyster Bay Gulls NYJHL
1985–86 Boston College HE 74013121803.46
1986–87 Boston College HE 21155011826803.45
1987–88 Boston College HE 3011162172611604.03
1988–89 Boston College HE 321994194510703.30
1989–90 Rochester Americans AHL 145616813703.26.879 1
1989–90 Phoenix Roadrunners IHL 1887210476403.67
1990–91 Buffalo Sabres NHL 100036305.04.833
1990–91 Rochester Americans AHL 5633135315516033.04.882 8423781602.54
1991–92 Buffalo Sabres NHL 101060404.00.862
1991–92 Rochester Americans AHL 6028209349817232.95.901 15878794312.94.901
1992–93 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 101046709.24.667
1992–93 Atlanta Knights IHL 4423124239013403.36.879 312178802.70.879
1993–94 Providence Bruins AHL 251011313858303.60.889
1993–94 Fredericton Canadiens AHL 168708726304.33.870
1994–95 Richmond Renegades ECHL 84203461312.25.910 171249533732.33
1995–96 Los Angeles Ice Dogs IHL 4317165224514513.88.871
1996–97 San Antonio Dragons IHL 4520165243713823.40.901 4132301102.87.924
1997–98 Orlando Solar Bears IHL 4421136230310202.66.914 16889664812.98.892
1998–99 Orlando Solar Bears IHL 5532171298114422.90.900 20046405.22.810
1999–00 Orlando Solar Bears IHL 2110119703.52.879
NHL totals 30201421405.95.794

International

Year Team Event GPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
1994 United States WC 101045608.00.818
Senior totals 101045608.00.818

Awards and honors

Award Year
All-Hockey East Second Team 1987–88 [16]
All-Hockey East First Team 1988–89 [16]
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 1988–89 [3]

References

  1. "Stars who will be missed after careers at BC". The Heights. May 1, 1989.Free access icon
  2. "Hockey Prepares To Take On Harvard Saturday Night". bceagles.com. November 22, 2000. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "1988-1989 All-Americans". ahcahockey.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  4. "THERE'S NO BLUE-RIBBON TALENT DEVELOPING DOWN ON SABRES' FARM". The Buffalo News. February 25, 1992. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  5. DiCesare, Bob (September 22, 1989). "WAKALUK, LOEWEN, AUDETTE SENT TO AMERKS AS 27 ARE CUT". The Buffalo News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  6. Wechsler, Bob (2008). Day by Day in Jewish Sports History. KTAV Publishing House, Inc. p. 29. ISBN 9780881259698.
  7. "2018 AHL Affiliate Media Guide" (PDF). sabresmedia. p. 350. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  8. "A HALL OF FAME NIGHT TO REMEMEBR". amerks.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  9. "HARRY "HAP" HOLMES MEMORIAL AWARD". ahlhalloffame.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  10. "Transactions". Joplin Globe. August 28, 1992. p. 15.Free access icon
  11. "Transactions". Frederick News Post. November 3, 1992. p. 14.Free access icon
  12. "Hockey:Free Agents List". Gettysburg Times. Pennsylvania. June 16, 1992. p. 10.Free access icon
  13. 1 2 Roman J. Uschak (December 2013). "From Crease To Console: From NHL'er to Video Gamer". USA Hockey Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  14. Littman, David (November 12, 2008). "GOING FROM HOCKEY PLAYER TO VIDEO GAME PRODUCER". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  15. Rosen, Harvey (October 21, 2009). "HANDFUL OF JEWISH SKATERS START NHL SEASON". Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  16. 1 2 "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
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