Gerald Coleman

Gerald Coleman
Born	(1985-04-03) April 3, 1985 Romeoville, Illinois, United States
Occupation	Professional ice hockey goaltender (retired)
Years active	2003–2014
Known for	First player developed through the NHL Diversity Program to be drafted and play in the NHL; goaltender for Tampa Bay Lightning and Alaska Aces

Gerald Coleman (born April 3, 1985) is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who appeared in the National Hockey League with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His career was largely spent in the minor leagues, most prominently with the Alaska Aces in the ECHL.

Playing career

Selected 224th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Coleman was drafted from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. During the 2003–04 season, he earned the Dave Pinkney Trophy and contributed to winning the Memorial Cup. Notably, he became the first player developed through the NHL Diversity Program to be drafted and subsequently compete in the NHL, making his debut for Tampa Bay on November 11, 2005.

On February 24, 2007, Coleman was traded along with a first-round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Shane O'Brien and a third-round selection. Following this trade, he was assigned to Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate.

Coleman participated in the Chicago Wolves training camp for the 2008–09 season but was released before the season began. He started that year playing for the Phoenix RoadRunners in the ECHL before being recalled by the Worcester Sharks. On November 21, 2008, he was traded to the Trenton Devils, where he played a pivotal role in their resurgence by compiling a 27-8-2 record for the remainder of that campaign.

Invited to New Jersey Devils training camp ahead of the 2009–10 season, Coleman was reassigned to their AHL affiliate, the Lowell Devils. After appearing in three games there, he returned to Trenton for the rest of the season.

Following an invitation to St. Louis Blues training camp, Coleman spent the 2010–11 season with the Alaska Aces. He recorded a 2.19 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage while achieving a 30-15-1 record and four shutouts. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, he backstopped Alaska through a historic 12-1 run en route to securing both their second Brabham and Kelly Cup championships, earning recognition as goaltender of the year.

Coleman returned to Alaska for another campaign before signing a professional try-out contract midseason with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. He won 11 out of 17 games with Lake Erie before finishing his season back with Alaska as the ECHL leader in lowest goals-against average.

After undergoing offseason surgery that limited interest from AHL teams, Coleman re-signed with Alaska for his third season in July 2012.

Following his fourth season and capturing a second Kelly Cup title with Alaska, Coleman announced his retirement on August 1, 2014. Persistent hip injuries influenced his decision as he planned to pursue studies in physical therapy.

Career statistics

				Regular season											Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2002–03	London Knights	OHL		26	6	9	3	—	1074	59	1	3.30	.892		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	London Knights	OHL		33	24	8	0	—	1852	68	5	2.20	.931		8	5	2	442	19	1	2.58	.912
2004–05	London Knights	OHL		38	32	2	2	—	2224	63	8	1.70	.941		8	7	1	455	13	0	1.71	.935
2005–06	Springfield Falcons	AHL		43	14	21	—	3	2413	156	2	3.88	.880		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		2	0	0	—	1	43	2	0	2.79	.882		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Springfield Falcons	AHL		3	2	1	—	0	179	6	0	2.01	.940		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Johnstown Chiefs	ECHL		17	7	9	—	0	914	52	0	3.41	.902		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Portland Pirates	AHL		11	4	5	—	0	603	29	0	2.89	.895		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Portland Pirates	AHL		18	8	6	—	2	968	47	2	2.91	.896		1	0	0	39	4	0	6.09	.789
2007–08	Augusta Lynx	ECHL		9	2	5	—	500	22	0	2.64	.902
"2008–09 ECHL season"	"Phoenix RoadRunners"	"ECHL"		"2"|"1"|"—"|"1"|"244"|"6"|"1"|"1.48" |".950"
"2008–09 AHL season"	"Worcester Sharks"	"AHL"		"0"|"2"|"—"|"0"|"112"|"6"|"0"|"3.23"|".854"
"2008–09"	"Trenton Devils"	"ECHL"		"27"|"8"|"—"|"2"|"2322"|"92"|"3"|"2.38"|".915"	"1"|"2"|"246"|"15"|"0"|"3.66"|".888"
"2009–10 AHL season"	"Lowell Devils"	"AHL"		"1"| "2"| "—"| "0"| "182"| "13"| "0"| "4.28"| ".873"
"2009–10 ECHL season"	"Trenton Devils"	"ECHL"		"11"| "9"| "—"| "7"| "1563"| "94"| "0"| "3.61"| ".887"
"2010–11 ECHL season"	"Alaska Aces"	"ECHL"		"30"| "15"| "—"| "1"| "2735"| "100"| "4"| "2.19"| ".913"	"11"| "1"| "729"| "21"| "3"| "1.73"| ".938"
"2011–12 ECHL season"	"Alaska Aces"	"ECHL"		"18"| "5"| "—"| "4"| "1644"| "53"| "1"| "1.93"| ".926"	"5"| "5"| "569"| "19"| "1"| "2.00"| ".925"
"2011–12 AHL season"	"Lake Erie Monsters"	"AHL"		"11 "| "4 "| "— "| "2 "| "963 "| "41 "| "0 "| "2.56 "| ".922 "
"2012–13 ECHL season "	"Alaska Aces "	"ECHL "		"23 "| "6 "| "--- "| | | | | | "
"2013-14 ECHL season "	"Alaska Aces "	"ECHL "		14 "|6 "|--- "|5 "|1504 "|60 "|2 "|2.39 "|910 "

Awards and honors

Award	Year
OHL
Dave Pinkney Trophy	2004, 2005
Third All-Star Team	2005
CHL Memorial Cup (London Knights)	2005
ECHL
Second All-Star Team	2009
First All-Star Team	2011
Goaltender of the Year	2011
Kelly Cup (Alaska Aces)	2011, 2014