Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes was the Stampede's starting goaltender during the franchise's finest season. In 1999-2000, he went 26-8-3 with a 2.34 GAA and a .931 save percentage in 42 games, backstopping the team to a 50-17-3 record — the best in WPHL history — and the Central Division title. The Belton Journal noted Barnes had a 14-4 record at mid-December and led the league in goaltending, with teammate Jason Carey sitting second; together they posted combined save percentages of .929 and .926. His 40-save performance in a win over Waco and a 33-save outing in an 8-1 rout of Corpus Christi stood among his more eye-catching nights. At season's end he was named WPHL Outstanding Goaltender and was also a finalist for Rookie of the Year. He returned for the 2000-01 season and was described in a summer roster announcement as “the WPHL's top goaltender,” but the franchise folded after 38 games. Barnes finished 0-4-0 in 10 appearances before the Stampede played their last game on January 6, 2001.