Photo courtesy of Rich Stieglitz/Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Wade Dubielewicz, the starting goaltender for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, is on a roll in 2007. After missing most of December with a groin injury as well as several other lingering maladies, he returned in January with a bang. Don't think for a second that the Sound Tigers' dramatic turnaround and Dubielewicz's health are not directly related: In December, Bridgeport's record was 4-9-0-0. The Tigers record since the New Year (and the return of Dubie) is 15-9-0-1. Perhaps even more indicative of his importance to the team, Bridgeport's record in overtime and shootout sessions since his return is 5-1.

Dubielewicz stopped a franchise-best 51 shots in regulation and overtime of a 4-3 shootout win at Hershey on Jan. 20. He posted a record of 6-1-0-1 with a goals-against average of 2.05 in 8 January games. He also kicked aside 15 of 19 shots in shootout competition and won three of four shootouts in the first month of the new calendar year.

Dubie made his second American Hockey League All-Star appearance in Toronto last month. He stopped 11 of 13 shots in one period of action for the Canadian team. The 28-year-old Kerrobert, Saskatchewan native said it was an honor to represent the Sound Tigers and Islanders' organization in the All-Star Game.

Dubielewicz stands at 5-foot-10, and weighs 185 pounds. He signed with the New York Islanders as an undrafted free agent on May 25, 2003. He promptly took Ricky DiPietro's spot between the Bridgeport pipes and set American Hockey League records with a 1.38 goals against average and .946 save percentage for the Sound Tigers in the 2003-04 season, the season in which he also made his Islanders' debut.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH... WADE DUBIELEWICZ

Birthdate: Jan. 30, 1979 in Invermere, British Columbia

Height: 5 feet 10 inches

Weight: 185 pounds

Position: Goaltender

On the Jersey: No. 31

Favorite Team Growing Up: The Vancouver Canucks, naturally

Favorite Sport Other Than Hockey: Golf

Food of Choice: Pasta

Playing on the iPod: "Cold Play"

Playing on the tube: HBO's "Entourage"