Jeff Jakaitis Selected for ECHL Hall of Fame Class of 2027
Former South Carolina Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis has been selected for induction into the ECHL Hall of Fame as part of its 2027 class. Jakaitis played a standout seven-year professional career in the ECHL, spending five of those seasons with the Stingrays alongside stints with Columbia, Charlotte, and Gwinnett.
The league announced the upcoming 19th induction class on Wednesday, pairing Jakaitis with former players Matt Hendricks and Derek Nesbitt. The formal induction ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 26, 2027, at the Grove Hotel Ballroom in Boise, Idaho, held in conjunction with the 2027 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic.
Record-Setting Career in the Crease
Jakaitis leaves behind a legacy defined by historic numbers. He remains the only three-time winner of the league’s Goaltender of the Year award, claiming the honor in 2012, 2014, and 2015. In 2015, he also captured the ECHL Most Valuable Player award, making him one of just four goaltenders in league history to earn that distinction.
During that dominant 2014-15 campaign, Jakaitis helped carry the Stingrays to the Kelly Cup Finals. His stellar play anchored a historic 23-game winning streak for the club. Along the way, he set an ECHL record with four consecutive shutouts and a 321:46 shutout streak. That stretch stands as the second best in professional hockey history, trailing only Brian Boucher’s 332:01 run with the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes during the 2003-04 season.
Statistically, Jakaitis sits tied for the ECHL career record with 25 shutouts. He also ranks 18th in career wins with 128 and is tied for 15th with a 2.36 goals-against average.
“We always knew that with JJ in net, we had a chance to win every game,” said Stingrays President Rob Concannon. “He was instrumental in helping the Rays reach the Kelly Cup Finals during the 2014-15 season, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performance.”
Jakaitis Mentors Youth and Enters ECHL Hall of Fame
Beyond his statistical dominance, Jakaitis maintained a deep commitment to the Charleston community. Concannon noted that the goaltender routinely lent a hand to local initiatives. After hanging up his skates, Jakaitis stayed connected to the sport by mentoring young goaltenders through the Charleston Youth Hockey Association.
Jakaitis becomes the seventh former Stingray player to enter the ECHL Hall of Fame. He joins a distinguished group of prior franchise inductees that includes David Seitz, Jason Saal, Jared Bednar, Brett Marietti, Brad Dexter, and Jason Fitzsimmons.
Reflecting on the honor, Jakaitis expressed gratitude toward the organizations and individuals who shaped his playing days. “The ownership, front office, alumni, fans, players, coaches and arena staff truly felt like family and I’m proud to share this honor with them,” Jakaitis said.
