NHL Draft 2013: The Goalie Edition (Part I)

The 2013 NHL Entry Draft will undoubtedly be filled with a number of interesting players. Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, and Seth Jones are the likely candidates that will round out the top three of many mock drafts and analysts’ rankings, but the 2013 NHL Draft will also feature a deep talent pool as the rounds move along.

While this year’s draft will feature a number of interesting skaters, hockey fans might be wondering which goaltenders will be selected as the draft selections get deeper. On the one hand, fans might be familiar with some of the top-ranked goalies eligible to be drafted in 2013, but there are certainly more than a few notable names that hockey fans should familiarize themselves with before draft festivities get under way.

NHL Draft 2013: Goalies Galore?

Zach Fucale (QMJHL – Halifax Mooseheads)

Fucale is the top ranked netminder going into the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and there is certainly a reason to back up such a high ranking. In 55 games played during the 2012-2013 QMJHL season, Fucale played to the tune of a 2.35 GAA and .909 Save Percentage. Even though Fucale might have been overshadowed by fellow draft hopefuls and teammates (Jonathan Drouin & Nathan MacKinnon), the goalie was a key component of the Mooseheads’ Memorial Cup Championship run. Fucale is one of the most refined netminders available at this year’s draft and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him selected as the draft’s first goaltender.

Spencer Martin (OHL – Mississauga Steelheads)

Despite not having the best peripheral statistics for a goalie in the OHL, Spencer Martin did everything that he could to keep the Mississauga Steelheads in contention throughout the 2012-2013 OHL regular season and playoffs. Martin was no stranger to making a big save whenever his team needed it, and the goalie certainly has a wide array of other assets to be successful in the NHL one day. While Martin still needs to improve certain aspects of his game, he will still likely be the first OHL goalie selected at this year’s draft proceedings.

Eric Comrie (WHL – Tri-City Americans)

Hockey seems to run thick in the Comrie bloodline, and Eric Comrie will look to continue the tradition that was set by his brothers, Paul and Mike. A hip injury cut Comrie’s 2012-2013 hockey season short, but the goalie’s draft stock is not likely to be adversely affected when June 30^th rolls around. Even though Comrie’s season was curtailed by injury, the goalie posted strong statistics (2.62 GAA, .915 Save Percentage) in the 37 games that he did play. While Comrie might be selected after goalies such as Zach Fucale and Spencer Martin, hockey fans shouldn’t sleep on the 6’1” netminder as he has been diligently working toward getting drafted over the last couple of years.

Cal Petersen (USHL – Waterloo Black Hawks)

Petersen was one half of the Waterloo Black Hawks’ goaltending tandem, and the netminder sure did put in some noteworthy performances when his number was called. Petersen registered a 2.97 GAA and a .906 Save Percentage for the Black Hawks, but the goalie’s ability to put his team before himself certainly displayed a mentality that is necessary for a goalie to succeed in the NHL. While Petersen and fellow netminder Eamon McAdam were rotated during portions of the 2012-2013 USHL season, both of the netminders performed admirably when their team needed them the most. Petersen will likely be selected in the later rounds of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, but any team that invests a draft pick on the goalie will likely be rewarded for their commitment.

Eamon McAdam (USHL – Waterloo Black Hawks)

Eamon McAdam was the other half of the Waterloo Black Hawks’ goalie duo, and has definitely earned his way into draft rankings this year. McAdam might not have had the best peripheral statistics (3.45 GAA, .896 Save Percentage) during the 2012-2013 USHL season, but the young man has displayed a mentality and demeanor that is well past his teenage years. McAdam will make the transition to NCAA hockey next year as he has committed himself to PennStateUniversity, but hockey fans should watch out for the goalie on draft day as he will likely be selected in the mid-to-late stages of the draft.

Patrik Bartosak (WHL – Red Deer Rebels)

Bartosak’s third year of draft eligibility might see a change of fortune for the goalie, and it certainly wouldn’t be undeserved. Bartosak put in a tremendous amount of work during the 2012-2013 WHL season as he won 33 games for the Red Deer Rebels and recorded a stellar 2.26 GAA and .935 Save Percentage. While Bartosak stood out during the regular season, he transcended those efforts to the WHL playoffs as he registered a 1.97 GAA and a .941 Save Percentage in nine games. Much like Cowley, Bartosak might be selected in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2013 NHL Draft, but fans shouldn’t be surprised to see a team use one of their selections on the Czech goalie, even if he does play an unorthodox style while in net.

Evan Cowley (NAHL – Wichita Falls Wildcats)

Much like Anthony Stolarz, Evan Cowley emerged onto scouts’ radars as a standout goalie in the NAHL. Cowley’s statistics (2.90 GAA, .900 Save Percentage) over 50 games played might not have been the best, but the goalie sure has lots of promise, especially since he already stands at 6’4” tall. Not only does Cowley have the height and size to be a successful NHL goalie one day, his mental composition, athleticism, and overall demeanor will make him a very appealing option come Sunday. Cowley will likely be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and hockey fans should expect to hear the goalie’s name in the future.

Juuse Saros (SM-liiga – HPK)

Juuse Saros might be one of the more undersized goalies available at this year’s draft as he stands at 5’10”, but hockey fans shouldn’t let the goalie’s size do the talking. Saros played in 37 games for HPK’s U20 team in the Jr. A SM-liiga, and after posting some strong statistics (1.86 GAA, .933 Save Percentage) the goalie was named to HPK’s senior team in the SM-liiga for the upcoming hockey season. Despite the fact that many scouts and fans could view Saros’ lack of height as a disadvantage, the goalie plays his positions and angles very well and makes up for his lack of height with solid technique. While there may be a number of question marks surrounding Saros’ ability to play in the NHL with a height disadvantage, the goalie will most likely be selected in the middle rounds of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Marcus Hogberg (SuperElit – Linkoping J20)

Swedish netminder, Marcus Hogberg, will be one of the bigger goalies available at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft as the netminder currently stands at 6’3” tall and weighs nearly 200 pounds. While Juuse Saros might be the top ranked international goalie coming into the draft, Hogberg is certainly not too far behind, and his play during the 2012-2013 hockey season spoke volumes about his future potential. Hogberg compiled a 2.41 GAA and a .917 Save Percentage in 23 games played for Linkoping J20, and the goalie did not look out of place when he played in three SEL games for Linkoping. Hockey fans should expect either Hogberg or Saros to be the first international goalie taken at this year’s NHL Draft as both netminders have put forth solid efforts in order to increase their draft stock.

Austin Lotz (WHL – Everett Silvertips)

Lotz might be one of the sleeper picks amongst the crop of goalies available at the 2013 NHL Draft. After taking over the starting goaltending duties for the Everett Silvertips, Lotz underwent an adjustment period of sorts, but was ultimately able to guide the Silvertips to the WHL Playoffs. As a 17 year old goalie, Lotz was undoubtedly thrust into what many would deem an intimidating situation, but the goalie made the most of it and helped his team overcome injuries to key players such as Ryan Murray. Lotz is an aggressive goalie that has good reaction time and athleticism, and hockey fans should expect to hear the goalie’s name called during the middle portions of the NHL Entry Draft.

Fredrik Bergvik (SuperElit – Frolunda J20)

Fredrik Bergvik might not be the most well known goaltending prospect coming into the 2013 NHL Draft, but that doesn’t mean that the goalie should simply be glossed over by hockey fans. As a member of Frolunda’s J20 team, Bergvik registered solid numbers in the SuperElit league as he played in fourteen games and held a 1.29 GAA to go along with a .950 Save Percentage. At 6’1” and almost 195 pounds, Bergvik has proportionally filled out his frame, and has done everything in his power to vault up the draft rankings with an impressive 2012-2013 hockey season.

Ville Husso (Jr. A SM-liiga – HIFK U20)

Ville Husso might be one of the more interesting international goaltending prospects available at this year’s NHL Draft. Husso has played for HIFK’s U-20 team over the past two years and has certainly impressed the team during the regular season as well as the playoffs. Not only has Husso shown that he has a reliable glove hand, the goalie’s calm and collected demeanor, athleticism, and rebound control allow him to play a very efficient butterfly style. Husso might not be the first international goalie selected at this year’s draft, but the goalie definitely possesses a tremendous amount of upside, especially since his technique is very refined at this point in time.

Phillipe Desrosiers (QMJHL – Rimouski Oceanic)

Zach Fucale might be the most recognized QMJHL goalie to be up for selection at this year’s NHL Draft, but Philippe Desrosiers also deserves some attention for his efforts with Rimouski Oceanic during the 2012-2013 QMJHL season. Even though Desrosiers had a GAA that was slightly north of 3.00 and a Save Percentage of .900, the goalie proved his worth on the international stage when he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the U-18 World Hockey Championship. Desrosiers will likely be selected in the earlier rounds of the 2013 NHL Draft and hockey fans should expect the goalie to be drafted not too far behind goalies such as Fucale, Comrie, and Martin.

Tristan Jarry (WHL – Edmonton Oil Kings)

Tristan Jarry made the most of his opportunities for the Edmonton Oil Kings this season, and his efforts undoubtedly helped him secure a high enough draft ranking. As a member of the Oil Kings, Jarry was a tremendous help to his team as he posted a 1.61 GAA and .936 Save Percentage in 27 games played. While Jarry was thrust into more playing time after struggles from fellow netminder Laurent Brossoit, the goalie did not let such circumstances intimidate him as he compiled some of the strongest goaltending statistics in the WHL. With such an impressive performance over the course of the 2012-2013 WHL season, Jarry will probably be selected in the earlier rounds of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft – after all, there is a reason why the young netminder is one of the top ranked goaltending talents available at this year’s proceedings.

Atte Tolvanen (Jr. A SM-liiga – Assat U20)

Atte Tolvanen is another Finnish netminder that could be a sleeper pick at this year’s NHL Entry Draft. While Tolvanen is only 5’11” and only weighs close to 165 pounds, the goalie has made his name known while playing for Assat U20 of the Jr. A SM-liiga. In 29 games played during the 2012-2013 hockey season, Tolvanen recorded a 2.55 GAA and .922 Save Percentage – statistics that were pretty impressive for an undersized goalie. While there still might be some question marks surrounding Tolvanen, hockey fans shouldn’t be surprised if they hear the goalie’s name called during the later rounds of this year’s NHL Entry Draft.

 

*** Stay tuned for the second part of the 2013 Draft eligible goaltenders.