Spratt settling in with Idaho

Jimmy Spratt is one of the most normal goalies you will meet ? at least according to him. ?There?s guys out there that give goalies a weird rep, but I like to consider myself pretty normal,? said the 25-year-old Michigan native. ?It is kind of an individual position in a team sport.? But while Spratt does agree that goalies are a different breed, teammate and childhood friend Steve Oleksy supports Spratt?s claim of normalcy. ?Goalie is one of the most mental positions in all of sports,? said the third-year defenseman. ?Rightfully so they come off as a little different, but he?s a good character guy and I?d have to put him up there as one of the most normal goalies out there.? Normal or not, one thing that cannot be argued is Spratt?s work ethic. Since Spratt?s last year at Bowling Green in 2009, he moved on to play for six different teams in two seasons, an experience that helped shape him as a professional goalie. ?It?s made me stronger,? said Spratt. ?I think I?ve really earned what I?ve had. Nothing has been given to me. I had to start from pretty much rock bottom so I?ve used that as motivation.? That motivation has landed Spratt new home and a starting job for a perennial ECHL Kelly Cup contender. ?Boise?s a great town,? said Spratt of his initial reaction to the City of Trees. ?It?s got kind of a college feel, but at the same time it has the night life as well.? Spratt has reciprocated the warm welcome with a fast start between the pipes. In Idaho?s first four games, Spratt has tallied and ECHL best 121 saves with a .938 save percentage. While Spratt is always thinking about the ultimate goal of playing in the NHL, his focus now is in Boise. ?It?s still really early,? Spratt said. ?We have some things we need to work on, but I think the core is there, we just need to work out some kinks and get this thing rolling.? (Story written by Media Relations intern Jake Drzayich)