ARTURS  IRBE
Team:  San Jose
Position: Goaltender
Number: 32
Height/Weight: 5'8", 175
Catches: Left
Born: Riga,Latvia
Age: 33
Salary: $1,500,000
All-Star: None

NNHL CAREER STATS
GP
MIN
GA
Shots
AVG
W-L-T
SO
SV%
1999/00 San Jose
65
3466
192
2117
3.32
19-33-7
3
.909
Totals
65
3466
192
2117
3.32
19-33-7
3
.909
Playoffs
5
266
15
150
3.38
2-3
0
.900

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1999/00
Chosen by San Jose 4th round (36th overall) in 1999 Entry Draft.....Oct. 6: Stopped 29 shots vs. Detroit to record first NNHL win.....Jan. 31: Stopped 21 shots vs. Toronto to record first NNHL shutout.....NNHL Player of the Week Feb. 4-10 (0-2-1, 2.31, 0, .938).

SCOUTING REPORT
Last season: Irbe was drafted in the fourth round by the Sharks and was expected to be Curtis Joseph's backup. But when Cujo faltered, Irbe stepped in and was great, stealing the number one job. He set a Sharks' record with three shutouts and had a fantastic .909 save percentage despite facing more shots (36.6 per game) than any other goalie.
Scouting report: A small stay-at-home goalie with excellent quickness, he can be impenetrable when he's on his game and not handling the puck, which he struggles with. He had difficulty maintaining his focus and was guilty of allowing far too many soft goals. He was drafted as a backup goaie but the Sharks were impressed with the quick and acrobatic Latvian. Strong along the ice, opponents usually aim high against the small goalie. Will let in the occasional soft one and can also get into trouble when handling the puck away from the net.
What to expect in 2000/01: Don't expect Irbe to see the crease as much this year. Joseph had an off year and Irbe seized the opportunity but Joseph is still the number one guy in San Jose. Irbe may even have to fend off two-time Durnan Trophy winner Sean Burke, who has led the MHL in average the last two seasons, for the backup job.
OVERALL GRADE: 6.8

-Notes are combined from the Ultimate Sports Hockey, SLAM! Sports Forecaster and The Hockey News Ultimate Pool Guide. These fine publications are available at your local convenience store.