Scott Darling isn't the only Illinois native to make history during his rookie season as an NHL goaltender.
Add Garret Sparks to that list.
The 22-year-old Elmhurst native became the first goaltender in Toronto Maple Leafs history to pitch a shutout in his first career NHL start, stopping all 24 shots in a 3-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.
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Sparks was recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League over the weekend to back up Jonathan Bernier after an undisclosed injury sidelined starting netminder James Reimer.
Sparks posted an 8-2-1 record with a 1.90 goals against average, .938 save percentage and two shutouts in 11 games with the Marlies this season. He was named the AHL's Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 8.
Sparks previously spent three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm and two years with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears. He was also part of the USHL's Chicago Mission under-18 team that won the 2009 national championship.
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Sparks was a member of the United States' gold-medal team at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships.
He was selected in the seventh round (190th overall) by Toronto in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Sparks spoke to the hometown crowd following his NHL debut and got emotional during his postgame interview. Check it out in the video below.