Garrett is a hometown goalie, born and raised in St. Charles, Illinois. He tended the net for the Cyclones organization his entire minor hockey career until he was 14 years old. He then made the difficult transition to junior hockey where he played with MGS Owner, Eric Levine, at the Chicago Force for two seasons. After a stellar first season, he was called up during the first half of the following year to the Youngstown Phantoms in the NAHL (Jr.A).
He played 3 seasons in Youngstown before heading to St. Louis, also in the NAHL, where he was called up at Christmas time to begin his college career at the University of Connecticut. In his 3 and a half years at UConn, he finished as the programs all time saves leader with 3,293 career saves. Garrett found himself on the Hobey Baker ballot during his junior year, and majored in Allied Health.
After graduation, he played the remained of the season for the Greenville Road Warriors in the ECHL . Garrett began his first full year professional playing for the Evansville Icemen in the ECHL. He appeared in 24 games, posting an 8-9-6 record, with a .902 sv% and 3.3 GAA. He was called up to Rochester in the American Hockey League (AHL) to finish the post season as the 3rd goalie, but dressed in their final two games.
During the 2015-2016 season, Garrett Bartus had a career year, posting the best numbers he’s had during his 4 year pro tenure. Not only did he lead the SPHL in nearly all statistical categories and helped the 1st year Macon Mayhem reach the playoffs, he was named as a league 1st team All Star, SPHL Goalie of the Year, and a league wide honor, SPHL MVP. He posted an impressive 22-18-5 record, .929sv%, 2.39 GAA, & 3 shutouts.
During the 16-17 season, it didn’t take long for the reigning MVP to graduate to the ECHL, as the Fort Wayne Komets scooped him up from the Macon Mayhem in November (where he posted a ridiculous .940 sv% in his first 8 games). Since joining the Komets, he’s posted a 11-4 record with two shutouts.
What type of coach are you
Work with the kids game. Wont change something unless something isn’t working. My word isn’t the end all be all. I know different things work for different kids game and try works for the goalie.
Favorite goalie growing up
Patrick Roy
Best game you’ve ever played
44 save shut out against the USA U-18 in juniors. Beginning of the season with my position on the team in question (we had three goalies on the roster at the time)
The most important lesson hockey has taught you
Much of what happens in goaltending is out of your control, but its your job to calmly handle the situation.
Why is being a goalie hard
Pressure and focus.
Favorite school subject
Science
If you couldn’t play hockey, what would you do
Stay at home dad
Favorite book
Any Autobiography
Favorite band/musician
John Mayer
Where you see yourself in 10 years
Involved with hockey at some level, whether it be coaching the game or scouting player, the game has done so much for me that I will always be involved and giving back some how.
