Scoring a goal in your NCAA hockey debut isn’t an uncommon feat, albeit an impressive one. If you’re a goalie that scores a goal in your debut, well that’s just downright unheard of. Cornell Big Red freshman goalie Mitch Gilliam did exactly that, scoring a goal against Niagara in his NCAA hockey debut and I’d be willing to bet he’s the first to ever do that.
According to College Hockey, Inc., Gillam is the eighth NCAA Division I goaltender to score a goal and the third to shoot it himself. This has to be the best debut for a goalie in College Hockey history and the only problem is that the cameraman was awful and didn’t get Gilliam’s instant reaction.
Thankyou everybody, it was an amazing night for me to get my first NCAA start, goal and win. Wouldn't want to do it anywhere else than Lynah
— Mitchell Gillam (@gillyg00se) November 27, 2013