Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Erik Portillo

Erik Portillo
Portillo with the Ontario Reign in May 2024
Born (2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 (age 24)
Gothenburg, Sweden
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Los Angeles Kings
Ontario Reign (AHL)
NHL draft 67th overall, 2019
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2023–present

Erik Portillo (born 3 September 2000) is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Portillo was drafted in the third round, 67th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Junior

Portillo played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2019–20 season. He appeared in 27 games and posted a 19–5–1 record, leading the USHL with a 2.11 goals against average (GAA), and a .915 save percentage. Following the season he was named first team All-USHL and named the USHL Goaltender of the Year.[1][2]

College

Portillo with the Michigan Wolverines in 2022

Portillo began his collegiate career for the University of Michigan during the 2020–21 season. During his freshman season, he appeared in seven games and posted a 4–1–0 record with a 1.67 GAA and .935 save percentage.[3] He made his collegiate debut for Michigan on 3 December 2020, in relief of Strauss Mann, stopping 15 of 17 shots in a 9–5 loss against Penn State.[4] He made his first career start on 15 January 2021, making 19 saves in a 4–2 victory against the Ohio State.[5]

During the 2021–22 season, his sophomore season, Portillo posted a 31–10–1 record with a 2.14 GAA and a .926 save percentage in his first full season as a starter.[6] He led the nation in saves (1,111) and ranked second in wins (31) and minutes played (2,499), fourth in win percentage (.750) and ninth in save percentage (.926).[3] He posted his first career shutout on 28 October 2021, in a 3–0 victory against Wisconsin, stopping all 28 shots he faced.[7] During the 2022 Big Ten tournament, he posted a 4–0 record with a .928 save percentage, and also recorded 90 saves on 95 shots he faced during the tournament. He was subsequently named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and named tournament's Most Outstanding Player.[8][9] Following the season he was named second-team All-Big Ten, a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award and a finalist for the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year.[10][11][12]

On 9 April 2022, Portillo announced he would return to Michigan for his junior year for the 2022–23 season.[13] During his junior season, he posted a 25–11–2 record with a 3.00 GAA and a .908 save percentage and helped lead the Wolverines to their second consecutive Big Ten tournament championship and Frozen Four appearance. He finished his collegiate career with a 60–22–3 overall record, 2.49 GAA, and a .918 save percentage.[14]

Professional

Portillo was drafted in the third round, 67th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 NHL entry draft.[15] He announced he would not sign with the Sabres and would pursue unrestricted free agency after his college career at Michigan. On 1 March 2023, the Sabres traded his draft rights to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick.[16][17]

On 10 April 2023, Portillo signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Kings' AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.[18] On 22 April, the Kings signed Portillo to a two-year, entry-level contract through the 2023–24 season.[19] During the 2023–24 season, in his rookie season, he appeared in 39 games with the Reign and posted a 24–11–3 record with a 2.50 GAA and .918 save percentage. His 24 wins were the most by a rookie goaltender in franchise history.[20]

On 25 August 2024, Portillo signed a three-year contract extension with the Kings through the 2026–27 season.[21][22] Portillo began the 2024–25 season with the Reign, where he appeared in six games and posted a 4–2–0 record with a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage. On 15 November 2024, he was recalled by the Kings on an emergency basis after placing starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper on the injured reserve.[23][24] He made his NHL debut on 29 November 2024 in a game against the Anaheim Ducks, making 28 saves in a 2–1 victory to record his first career NHL win. During the third period, Portillo's skate blade was dislodged and forced him out of the game for 1:23, David Rittich entered in relief before being replaced by Portillo following the equipment fix.[25][26]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Czech Republic

Portillo represented Sweden at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a bronze medal.[27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2019–20 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 27 19 5 1 1,536 54 1 2.11 .915
2020–21 University of Michigan B1G 7 4 1 0 359 10 0 1.67 .935
2021–22 University of Michigan B1G 42 31 10 1 2,499 89 3 2.14 .926
2022–23 University of Michigan B1G 38 25 11 2 2,300 115 0 3.00 .908
2023–24 Ontario Reign AHL 39 24 11 3 2,307 96 2 2.50 .918 8 5 3 472 17 1 2.16 .916
NCAA totals 87 60 22 3 5,158 214 3 2.49 .918

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
College
Big Ten Second Team 2022 [10]
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2022 [28]
Big Ten Tournament MVP 2022

References

  1. ^ Harrington, Mike (23 April 2020). "Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo named to USHL All-Star Team". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  2. ^ LaBarber, Jourdon (27 April 2020). "Prospect Rewind: Portillo earned Goalie of the Year honors in USHL". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Erik Portillo Bio". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. ^ McNeil, Kristy (3 December 2020). "Michigan Falls Short in High-Scoring Finale at Penn State". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  5. ^ McNeil, Kristy (15 January 2021). "Moyle's Two-Goal Game Paces Wolverines to Win Over Buckeyes". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  6. ^ Zuke, Ryan (28 January 2022). "'Rock star' goalie Erik Portillo a difference-maker for Michigan hockey". MLive.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  7. ^ McNeil, Kristy (28 October 2021). "Portillo's First Career Shutout Leads U-M to B1G-Opening Win Over Wisconsin". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  8. ^ Nasr, Paul (20 March 2022). "Erik Portillo cements conference tournament MVP status against Minnesota". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  9. ^ Lysowski, Lance (6 April 2022). "Sabres prospect Erik Portillo built a business while leading Michigan to Frozen Four". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Slate of 11 semifinalists announced for 2022 Mike Richter Award as college hockey's top goaltender". USCHO.com. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Finalists Announced for Big Ten Hockey Individual Awards". BigTen.org. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  13. ^ Ford, Ryan (9 April 2022). "Michigan hockey holds onto goalie Erik Portillo for next season". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  14. ^ McNeil, Kristy (22 April 2023). "LA Kings Sign Portillo to Entry-Level Contract Through 2023-24 Seasone". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Kings Acquire Rights to Goaltender Erik Portillo from the Buffalo Sabres". NHL.com. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  16. ^ Harrington, Mike (1 March 2023). "Sabres trade rights to Michigan goalie Erik Portillo to Kings for third-round pick". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  17. ^ Lysowski, Lance (2 March 2023). "Erik Portillo calls departure from Sabres a 'business decision' after trade to Kings". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  18. ^ Pappalardo, Charlie (10 April 2023). "Erik Portillo leaves Michigan, signs with LA Kings farm team". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  19. ^ "LA Kings sign Goaltender Erik Portillo". NHL.com. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  20. ^ "LA Kings Sign Erik Portillo to Three-Year Contract". ontarioreign.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Kings Sign Goaltender Erik Portillo To Three-Year Contract". NHL.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Kings sign goaltender Portillo to three-year ELC". TSN. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  23. ^ Blikiam, Karo (15 November 2024). "Erik Portillo recalled by Kings in a surprise move". The Hockey News. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  24. ^ Williams, Patrick (28 November 2024). "AHL notebook: Top goaltending depth in Western Conference". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  25. ^ Jablonski, Jack (28 November 2024). "11/29 Final - Kings 2, Ducks 1". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  26. ^ Blikian, Karo (29 November 2024). "Breaking Down Portillo's Excellent NHL Debut". The Hockey News. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  27. ^ Kimelman, Adam (25 December 2019). "2020 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  28. ^ McNeil, Kristy (19 March 2022). "Michigan Scores Four Straight to Win Second B1G Tournament Championship". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player
2022
Succeeded by