THE

GOALIE
ISSUE
A LEGACY DEFINED:

MARC-ANDRE

LINUS ULLMARK | JOSEPH WOLL | YAROSLAV ASKAROV | UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN | CHARLIE LINDGREN
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 THE GOALIE ISSUE | VOL. 78 NO. 03

COVER
STORY
MARC-ANDRE FLEURY | 20
“All those memories in all those buildings.” From being drafted No. 1 to collecting the second-most wins in
NHL history to earning three Stanley Cups, Marc-Andre Fleury has had a wild NHL ride. And as he enters his
21st and final big-league season, he wants to remember it all – and, of course, keep winning. BY KEN CAMPBELL

FEATURES 82
FLIN FLON
28
LINUS ULLMARK
Its history and colorful characters
make the Manitoba city a must-visit
on hockey road trips. BY RONNIE SHUKER
A warm welcome from the team and the
fans in Ottawa has the Sens’ new No. 1
feeling right at home. BY DILLON COLLINS 90
UKRAINE
DEPARTMENTS
32
JOSEPH WOLL
The first hockey camp for youngsters
since the Russian invasion gave kids a
welcome respite. BY VADYM PLACHYNDA
8 BUZZ
48 NHL
Though he lacks reps, the 26-year-old
made believers of the Leafs’ brass with 62 PWHL
his clutch play. BY RYAN KENNEDY COLUMNS 68 AHL
36
YAROSLAV ASKAROV
6FIRST WORD 70 ECHL
72 WHL
Blocked in Nashville, one of the best
goalie prospects now has a clear path to
Marc-Andre Fleury’s career is filled with 74 QMJHL
San Jose’s starting job. BY JARED CLINTON
firsts, but there’s one “last” that’s worth
remembering as well. BY RYAN KENNEDY 76 OHL
38
CHARLIE LINDGREN
7PUBLISHER’S NOTE 78 NCAA
81 INTERNATIONAL
It took him a long time to get a shot, but
the Caps keeper believes he can be a
In order to serve you better, we’re 94 MONEY & POWER
bringing our customer service back
“top guy” in the NHL. BY BEN RABY in-house. BY W. GRAEME ROUSTAN ON THE COVER

42
UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN
59
FANTASY FOCUS
With ‘UPL’ between the pipes, it feels Recent trends in goalie usage have
like Buffalo has a real chance at ending made the blue paint a minefield for
its playoff drought. BY RYAN KENNEDY fantasy GMs. BY JASON CHEN

46
WATER BOTTLES
100
LAST WORD
It’s natural to think goalies always had What’s in a name? Turns out a lot. And
hydration on hand. But not too long the PWHL’s branding got us thinking PHOTO BY BRACE HEMMELGARN-
ago, that wasn’t the case. BY AL DANIEL about team monikers. BY RYAN KENNEDY USA TODAY SPORTS

| 4 | THE HOC KE Y N EW S TH E GOA LIE ISSUE

SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

T HE G O A LI E I S S UE T HE HO CK E Y N EW S | 5 |
 THE FIRST WORD EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER,
ROUSTAN MEDIA LTD.
W. Graeme Roustan
DEPUTY PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Erika Vanderveer
EDITOR IN CHIEF

TO FLEURY,
Ryan Kennedy
ART DIRECTOR
Shea Berencsi
MANAGING MANAGING EDITOR,
EDITOR DIGITAL MEDIA

THE FIRST
Edward Fraser Michael Traikos
EDITORS DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR,
Brian Costello DIGITAL MEDIA
Nick Emanuelli Jonathan Tovell
Andre Leal PARTNER CONTENT

AND LAST
Sam McCaig MANAGER
Mathieu Sheridan Danielle Perciballi
Jacob Stoller DIGITAL MARKETING
DIRECTOR
EDITOR Jared Ostroff
AT LARGE
Ronnie Shuker SENIOR DIGITAL
CORRESPONDENTS

T
FEATURE Ken Campbell
O SAY THAT MARC-ANDRE Fleury is one of WRITERS
Adam Proteau
Ken Campbell
a kind is not a controversial statement. Carol Schram DIGITAL CORRESPONDENTS
The Minnesota Wild goaltender enters Jason Chen
INTERNS Anthony Fava
his self-imposed final season in the NHL Roderick Bawcutt Tony Ferrari
as a future Hall of Famer, three-time Stanley Steven Papadopoulos Ian Kennedy
Cup champion and one of the most beloved Avry Lewis-McDougall
personalities in the game. Lyle Richardson
With this being our Goalie Issue, we had Carol Schram
Jacob Stoller
to seize one last chance to get ‘Flower’ on the
VIDEO PRODUCTION
cover and celebrate his career with a feature As we have pontificated many times in this ASSISTANT
by Ken Campbell (pg. 20), where our veteran magazine, the goaltending position is incred- Andrew Quach
scribe sets the table for what will be an histor- ibly difficult to predict. For every Carey Price DIGITAL ARCHIVIST Steven McGoey
ical – and, no doubt, mirthful – final campaign or Dominik Hasek who dazzled for years, we ACCOUNTING GENERAL MANAGER Leslie Hayes
for Fleury. In Campbell’s cover story, you’ll have a Jim Carey or Andrew Hammond, who GENERAL COUNSEL David La Salle

get everything you’ve grown to expect from took us on wild but short rides of glory. Draft-
Fleury: tales of mischief, glowing testimonials ing goalies is even more fraught. Price went ADVERTISING: 416-840-4644, contact@roustan.media
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legacy that’s still being written. Rinne was taken so low (258th overall) that
So, what I’d like to focus on here is a foot- the round he went in (the eighth) doesn’t exist SUBSCRIPTIONS Minimum one-year subscription price: $39.95 including
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note that will most likely belong to Fleury anymore. Andrei Vasilevskiy was indeed the (ISSN 0018-3016) publishes 12 issues per year, including Money and Power,
forever – or at least for a very, very long time. first goalie picked in 2012, but Mason McDon- Yearbook and our Champions Collector’s Edition. Mail In Canada:
The Hockey News, PO Box 23022, Brantford, ON N3T 6K4
As Campbell notes in his story, Fleury was ald was the first in 2014 – two spots before Mail In the US: The Hockey News, PO Box 904, Buffalo, NY 14240-9554
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finished his NHL career with a 92-136-53 re- the past two decades is a personality who
cord and 3.79 goals-against average. DiPietro broke the mold and a player who rose to the
found a bit more success with the Isles, but occasion on many important nights.
he was beset by injuries and an infamous 15-
year contract that seemed to burden both the
STEVEN ELLIS/THE HOCKEY NEWS

player and the franchise. Made possible with

the support of
So, even though we’re talking about Fleu-
ry’s Hall of Fame career, it has become practi-
cally unfathomable that a goaltender will ever
again be drafted first overall. No matter what, Ryan Kennedy
Fleury will hold the distinction as the last – Editor in chief
unless something drastic changes in the sport. @THNRyanKennedy

| 6 | TH E HO C KE Y NE WS T H E GOAL IE I SSU E
 PUBLISHER’S NOTE
WITH W. GRAEME ROUSTAN | LINKEDIN.COM/IN/ROUSTAN
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Care
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 12 BEHIND THE MASK / JERSEY HOUND 13 MICHELIN-O-METER 14 COUNTDOWN: BEST TANDEMS
16 PWHL TEAMS GET NAMES 17 CAP LOOPHOLE? 18 PUCK CULTURE: GOALTENDING ‘LASTS’

NHL

REVERSE COURSE?
and joined the ever-increasing Canucks blueliner Nikita Zador-
referendum on the persistent ov let loose a harmless-looking
use of the shot-stopping tech- wrister from the left-wing wall
nique known as the Reverse that beat Edmonton’s Stuart
VH, or RVH, the goaltending Skinner over his
The ‘RVH’ is widely criticized and has been called a ‘pandemic.’ fraternity took notice. short-side shoul-
But is the fervent flak fair, or does it go too far? BY JARED CLINTON What had ruffled Lundqvist’s der. “We have a
well-kept plumage – and what pandemic, guys,”

T
RUE AS IT MIGHT be that ev- led the New York Rangers leg-
BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS

Scrutinized by no less an au- said Lundqvist on

eryone’s a critic, there are thority than ‘The King’ himself, end to call the RVH a pandemic the TNT broadcast. “We have
those whose words car- though? Perhaps it’s time to sit among modern keepers – was another pandemic in this hock-
ry a touch more weight. up and consider the criticism. an ugly second-period tally in ey league, and it’s the Reverse
Chastised by an armchair quar- So, when Hall of Fame netmind- Game 2 of the second-round VH Pandemic.”
terback? Easy enough to shoul- er Henrik Lundqvist took to his series between Edmonton and Distilled to its basics, the
der shrug and move along. pulpit during the post-season Vancouver. With the game tied, technique itself is simple to

| 8 | TH E HOC KE Y N EW S T HE GO A LIE ISSU E

 BUZZ

FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE COVERAGE, pads positioned in the reverse

VISIT THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM order. Thus, the trailing leg is
positioned vertically, with the
goaltender placing his inside
leg horizontally and using his
body to seal the post.
More often than not, too, it’s
the seal – or lack thereof – cre-
ated by body positioning that’s
been the cause for most of the
handwringing, as even the big-
gest and burliest keepers will
often leave a tantalizing target
over their short-side shoulder.
“Skinner was just using his size
and saying, ‘OK, if you can pick
that spot, have at it,’” said for-
mer NHL stopper and current
TSN analyst Jamie McLennan.
“But guys are now good enough
that they pick that spot. That’s
kind of what I’ve seen in the
transition to the Reverse VH
compared to the VH.”
McLennan and Lundqvist
aren’t the only ones noticing
that particular issue. A search
for footage of the RVH renders
minutes-long lowlight reels of
keepers surrendering goals at
the near post, whether over
the shoulder or stuffed in at the
near-post pad. In fact, less than
two weeks before he scored the
goal that raised Lundqvist’s
ire, Zadorov scored a carbon
copy, putting one high over the
shoulder of Nashville Predators
netminder Juuse Saros in the
playoffs’ opening round. That shooters cross what netmind- THRONE SPEECH
examples of the RVH’s short- ers refer to as the “transition When ‘The King’ speaks, people listen.
comings are so abundant is line.” Put simply, it’s the point So when Lundqvist called the RVH a
enough to question why the use at which a player crosses the ‘pandemic,’ the debate heated up.
of the technique persists. lowest hashmark and moves
But ask Boston University from what is considered a high-
goalie coach Brian Daccord, er-percentage to a lower-per-
who is also president and centage shooting area. In a make stopping those inch-high
founder of Stop It Goaltending, well-executed RVH, goalies can blasts look routine thanks in
and he takes umbrage with the then cut off the shooting angle part to the RVH. That wasn’t
premise the RVH, or any save while preparing to dart across the case for goaltenders of his
BLAME GAME selection for that matter, is in- their crease in the event of a vintage, who could often be un-
Skinner became the face of the RVH herently flawed. “Typical-
debate during last year’s playoffs
after allowing a ‘bad’ goal in Round 2.
ly, if there’s a goal scored
on an RVH, it’s either from THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE
a poor execution of the
RVH – so, technically or TECHNIQUE. IT HAS A TIME AND A
PLACE, LIKE ALL TECHNIQUES – Brian Daccord
JEAN-YVES AHERN-USA TODAY SPORTS

mechanically, it’s being

understand. Even the name is used incorrectly – or it’s
intuitive. An evolution of the used at the wrong time,”
vertical-horizontal method em- Daccord said. “This is a human cross-ice pass. Not only that, done by an unfriendly bounce.
ployed by goaltenders, which error. There’s nothing wrong the RVH reduces the likelihood “When I was playing, for ex-
sees the short-side pad used to with the technique. It has a time of a low, hard shot creating cha- ample, if I’m staying on my
seal the post vertically and the and a place, like all techniques.” os in and around the crease. feet and the puck gets thrown
opposite pad laid horizontally That time and place, said McLennan explained that towards the net and hits my
to seal the ice, the RVH sees the Daccord, is generally when modern goaltenders often defenseman’s skate, it goes in

T HE GOA LI E I SS U E T HE HOC KE Y NE W S | 9 |
 BUZZ

PREDATOR ‘PANDA’
As the position evolves, smaller
goalies, like Saros, will incorporate
new techniques alongside the RVH.

the daylight presented by drop-

ping into the RVH too early.
Already, he pointed out, the
league is starting to see a sepa-
ration between those who con-
tinue to heavily utilize the RVH
and those who are embracing
new save selections. Generally
speaking, the bigger the goal-
tender, the more likely they are
to stick with the RVH; their size
seals most gaps. But the more
diminutive netminders are be-
ginning to incorporate more
newfangled styles, such as the
‘Panda,’ which sees goalten-
ders keep their strong-side foot
outside the post and their body
turned up ice.
Ultimately, though, Daccord
and McLennan believe the RVH
the net,” McLennan said. “Now- will find its place. As for now,
adays, it’ll hit a defenseman’s the criticism simply boils down
JAMIE
skate and the goalie is in the MCLENNAN to optics. “The bottom line is
Reverse VH, and it just hits him
in the pad. So, everything in
tight, it’s now taken away.” GUYS ARE
Despite the RVH’s benefits,
neither Daccord nor McLen- NOW GOOD
nan refute the growing cho-
rus of pundits suggesting the ENOUGH THAT
technique has become over-
used. But this is nothing new. THEY PICK
As goaltending has progressed
from stand-up style to butterfly THAT SPOT.
to paddle-down and onward,
each new positional innovation THAT’S KIND
has had its share of overuse.
Eventually, shooters will solve OF WHAT I’VE
SAROS: BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS; MCLENNAN: RICK SCUTERI-USA TODAY SPORTS
the latest puzzle. That, in turn,
leads to more innovation. SEEN IN THE
Right now, the RVH is at a
natural point in its life cycle. TRANSITION
“Everybody is excited,” Dac- – Jamie McLennan
cord said. “Here’s a new tool – a
new toy to play with. And then Where there should be more constant up-and-down and in- that for every time a guy rifles
you’re going to overuse it until concern when talking about and-out of the position. one over the goalie’s shoulder
it nestles into that spot that you the RVH, said Daccord, is the But if the RVH is here to stay, in an RVH, there are so many
find the right spot for it. We had toll it takes on the body. The what’s the solution to the con- more saves that outweigh that
the exact same conversation stress the RVH puts on hips cerns about injury and overuse? one goal that goes in,” Daccord
about the VH, and then the VH and knees creates what could Daccord believes in the natural said. “It’s just (the goal) looks
ended up, ‘OK, here’s the right be considered an unnecessary and continued evolution of bad. But if you think about how
spot. Here’s when you use the amount of wear and tear on the shot-stopping. And new tools many saves are actually made
VH.’ It stopped being overused, joints. And Daccord explained have already begun to emerge. through an RVH? You’d nev-
and it settled into now exactly the “epidemic” of netminders In some cases, goaltenders are er question that one goal. The
when to use it. The RVH, over- – even those in their mid-teens staying upright longer. In oth- math doesn’t work. But it’s a
used at first, and now the RVH – needing hip surgery isn’t al- ers, stoppers are overlapping fun topic to talk about, because
is settling in.” together surprising given the their post to eliminate some of it’s just an ugly-looking goal.”

| 10 | THE HOC KE Y NE W S T HE GOAL I E I SSU E

 BUZZ

Behind the MASK

LINUS ULLMARK | OTTAWA SENATORS

ARRIVING IN OTTAWA AS one of the NHL’s best goalies over the past few seasons, Linus Ullmark didn’t need to do
much to ingratiate himself with fans. But the 2023 Vezina winner couldn’t help himself as his first Senators mask pays
tribute to Patrick Lalime, one of the franchise’s most beloved goaltenders. Front and center on Ullmark’s helmet is
Marvin the Martian, who adorned Lalime’s masks throughout his career. But Ullmark – whose mask was designed by
DaveArt’s Dave Gunnarsson – added his own spin by adding Sweden’s Tre Kronor to the classic Looney Tunes character’s
galea. The mask also includes Viking runes and ships, likewise a nod to his home country, and pays tribute to his family
with silhouettes of four polar bears on the back panel – two for his kids and two for Ullmark and his wife. – JARED CLINTON

Jersey HOUND
DJURGARDEN | 2024-25
FOR THE PAST FEW seasons, Sweden’s Djurgarden has had
some fun with its pre-season jerseys by trotting out different
looks than its regular uniforms, and this year’s edition was
awesome. The legendary Stockholm club, currently playing
in the second-tier Allsvenskan, stripped down its usual color
JERSEY: PHOTOS BY DJURGARDENS IF

scheme – which includes two shades of blue plus red and gold
– and rocked these double-blue beauties on a cream base.
The logo also modifies the team’s usual shield and adds some
flair with emanating lines emerging from all four corners. The
fact that Djurgarden made home and away versions of this
VICTOR pre-season banger makes it all the more fun. Of course, with
EKLUND
the regular season underway, the team’s mission now is to
earn promotion back to the top-tier SHL. – RYAN KENNEDY

| 12 | TH E HOC KE Y N EWS THE GOA LIE ISSUE

 BUZZ

MICHELIN-O-METER
With 28,928 career saves, Martin Brodeur is the NHL’s all-time puck-stopping leader.
FLEURY: BOB FRID-IMAGN IMAGES; QUICK: PERRY NELSON-USA TODAY SPORTS; BOBROVSKY: DAVID KIROUAC-USA TODAY SPORTS; VARLAMOV: SERGEI BELSKI-IMAGN IMAGES; HELLEBUYCK: JAMES CAREY LAUDER-IMAGN IMAGES; REIMER: DAN HAMILTON-IMAGN IMAGES

But which active netminders are closest to him? BY JARED CLINTON

URY’S JOHN BE NIMBL

CHANCE OF FLE E

> MARC-ANDRE FLEURY > JONATHAN QUICK

26,586 SAVES 19,144 SAVES
Brodeur’s total is safe, but The NHL has tracked
Fleury has an outside shot shot and save data since
at making history. He’s 1,414 1955-56, and since then, 17
saves from reaching the goalies have made 20,000-
28,000-stop plateau, which plus stops. Quick would’ve
would make ‘Flower’ the already been the 18th if not

In the CARDS
third netminder to reach for injury issues in his prime.
the mark, following Brodeur He’s settled into life as a
and Roberto Luongo. Fleury second-stringer and will see
will need to play 50-plus about 25 games this year.
games to do it, though. That could get him there.
GARFIELD, THE CHUBBY CAT from the eponymous
WIN SEM, LOSE comic strip and cartoon series, has been featured on
BOB-ROB-SKY FEWER tons of merchandise over the past 45 years – from
clothing to video games and seemingly everything else
in between. Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis, is a hockey
fan, so, naturally, the orange feline has found his way
onto jerseys, pucks and even a hockey card.
The 1992 Garfield Premier Edition set by Skybox has
100 cards that recap some of his most popular stories.
> SERGEI BOBROVSKY > SEMYON VARLAMOV A few fun cards also depict the rotund tabby playing
18,681 SAVES 16,820 SAVES different sports. This card pictures Garfield as Moosejaw
He now has a Stanley Cup Despite just one top-three Breakers goaltender Garf Gruntsky – a clever mash-up
to go along with his two Vezina finish, Varlamov of Garfield with Hall of Fame goalie Gump Worsley’s
Vezinas, but Bobrovsky has been commendably nickname and Wayne Gretzky’s surname. The back of
should be held in even consistent. His career SP the card humorously states that ‘The Great Gruntsky’
higher esteem. There are is roughly four points has never worn a mask during his 911-game career and
28 NHL goalies who are better than the league is the all-time leader in lost teeth. – SAL BARRY
recorded as facing 20,000- average across his 15 full
plus shots. Only five of NHL campaigns, and he’s
them have a better save only twice posted numbers
percentage than Bobrovsky. notably worse than the
single-season average.

REIM ON HIS SID

E

> CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

14,121 SAVES > JAMES REIMER
The workhorse has 13,383 SAVES
averaged 1,687 saves over There’s something to be
his past eight full seasons. said for longevity. While
Setting aside age – which, Reimer’s career hasn’t
of course, will be factor – reached soaring heights,
that puts him on pace to he’s the definition of
stop nearly 12,000 more serviceable. Entering his
pucks by the time his new 15th season, he has a chance
seven-year pact expires. of reaching 14,000 saves.
Joining the 28,000 Club Only 63 NHL goalies have
isn’t unrealistic. stopped that much rubber.

T HE G OA LI E IS S UE TH E HO CK E Y NE WS | 13 |
 BUZZ

THE

GOALIE DUOS

There’s a goaltending boom in New York these days,

as the Islanders and Rangers head into 2024-25 ILYA
SOROKIN
with the league’s top-tier tandems BY JARED CLINTON

I
F NOT SCIENTIFICALLY veri-
NEW YORK
fiable, it feels anecdotally 1 ISLANDERS
accurate that, more than ILYA SOROKIN/SEMYON VARLAMOV
just about any other posi- The Isles’ tandem is the only returning
tion in sports, NHL goalies are duo who each finished with a GSAA of
among the athletes most prone at least nine-plus last season.
to experiencing vast swings in
success from one season to the
next. And it’s absolutely true NEW YORK
that their individual perfor- 2 RANGERS
mances don’t always jive with IGOR SHESTERKIN/JONATHAN QUICK
their clubs’ success. Shesterkin is a true game-stealing
Take, for instance, Alexandar goalie, and Quick maintains his status
Georgiev. For two straight sea- as an excellent backup despite his age.
sons, the Colorado Avalanche
netminder has led the NHL in
victories, posting 40 wins in
3 NASHVILLE
2022-23 and 38 last year. How PREDATORS
he arrived at those totals, how- JUUSE SAROS/SCOTT WEDGEWOOD
ever, is a tale of two keepers. The crease is strengthened by Wedge-
The 40-win season was the wood, but Saros is tasked with powering
best of his career. Beyond lead- the Preds into the playoffs and beyond.
ing the league in wins, Geor-
giev finished tied for second in
shutouts, tied for sixth in save 4 OTTAWA 7 DALLAS 10 BOSTON
percentage, and his goals saved SENATORS STARS BRUINS
above average at all strengths LINUS ULLMARK/ANTON FORSBERG JAKE OETTINGER/CASEY DESMITH JEREMY SWAYMAN/JOONAS KORPISALO
– a statistical measure of shot Adding Ullmark, a Vezina winner, pro- A down year for ‘Otter’ was still above Assuming he signs, Swayman will be
vides a big boost, and Forsberg isn’t far average. Stars pair a top-tier keeper tested with Ullmark gone. Korpisalo is
stopping when compared to removed from his own stellar season. with an experienced, reliable backup. coming off a dreadful season in Ottawa.
league averages – ranked sixth.
But last season? Georgiev’s win
total masked a sub-.900 SP and
GSAA total that was worse than 5 FLORIDA 8 WINNIPEG 11 VANCOUVER
all but 10 other netminders. PANTHERS JETS CANUCKS
SERGEI BOBROVSKY/SPENCER KNIGHT CONNOR HELLEBUYCK/KAAPO KAHKONEN THATCHER DEMKO/ARTURS SILOVS
This is all to say that when Heir apparent Knight is back providing Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina winner Demko is a stud when healthy, but
gauging the NHL’s best net tan- cover for Cup-winning Bobrovsky, who and four-time finalist. But the Jets are injuries keep adding up. Playoff hero
dems, there’s more to weigh was a Vezina finalist last year. one injury away from disaster. Silovs impressed in a small sample size.
DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS

than where their team ends up

in the standings. We have to
consider the average of their
individual talents and their po- 6 CAROLINA 9 TAMPA BAY 12 EDMONTON
HURRICANES LIGHTNING OILERS
tential to shine this coming sea- FREDERIK ANDERSEN/PYOTR KOCHETKOV ANDREI VASILEVSKIY/JONAS JOHANSSON STUART SKINNER/CALVIN PICKARD
son. With that in mind, here are Health is a concern for Andersen, but We’ve seen this duo’s limitations. Vasi- Sophomore Skinner helped the Oilers to
the NHL’s best crease duos as Canes’ one-two punch has potential. levskiy’s health is paramount to Bolts’ within one win of Cup. With Pickard as
we look ahead to 2024-25. Kochetkov could sneak into the top job. status as a legitimate playoff threat. No. 2, Edmonton has a reliable pair.

| 14 | THE H OCK EY NE W S T HE GO A LI E ISSUE

 BUZZ

23 ANAHEIM 28 MONTREAL
DUCKS CANADIENS
JOHN GIBSON/LUKAS DOSTAL SAM MONTEMBEAULT/CAYDEN PRIMEAU
Only two goalies had a worse GSAA than It wasn’t always rosy, but Habs goalies
Gibson last season. Being usurped by were better than win-loss records last
Dostal is more than a remote possibility. season. Primeau holds some promise.

24 BUFFALO 29 SAN JOSE

SABRES SHARKS
UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN/JAMES REIMER YAROSLAV ASKAROV/MACKENZIE BLACKWOOD
‘UPL’ pieced together a good year that Is Askarov the real deal? Sharks will find
Sabres hope will serve as launch pad. out, with Blackwood a solid fallback op-
Reimer will have to cling to No. 2 job. tion as San Jose’s split starter.

25 CHICAGO 30 CALGARY
BLACKHAWKS FLAMES
PETR MRAZEK/LAURENT BROSSOIT DAN VLADAR/DUSTIN WOLF
Mrazek was fine last year, truly, but the Vladar has been woeful, and Wolf has
lingering question is how Brossoit will had 16 NHL starts. There’s hope for the
fare in his quest to push for starting job. latter, but he needs to prove himself.

ALEXANDAR
ADIN GEORGIEV
HILL

13 ST. LOUIS 18 VEGAS

BLUES GOLDEN KNIGHTS
JORDAN BINNINGTON/JOEL HOFER ADIN HILL/ILYA SAMSONOV
Consistency is a concern. Binnington was Samsonov is a downgrade at No. 2, and
great in ’23-24 but poor in the two prior Hill hasn’t started more than 35 games
seasons. Good news? Hofer looks legit. in a season. This duo isn’t rock-solid.

14 MINNESOTA 19 DETROIT
WILD RED WINGS
FILIP GUSTAVSSON/MARC-ANDRE FLEURY CAM TALBOT/ALEX LYON
Both desperate for mulligan after subpar Talbot fizzled after hot start last year,
showings last year. A repeat perfor- and Lyon was average. But steady net-
mance and they plummet down the list. minding puts Wings in the playoff race.

15 NEW JERSEY 20 LOS ANGELES

HILL: PERRY NELSON-USA TODAY SPORTS; GEORGIEV: DAVID KIROUAC-USA TODAY SPORTS

DEVILS KINGS
JACOB MARKSTROM/JAKE ALLEN DARCY KUEMPER/DAVID RITTICH
Markstrom recovered after bad start and Kuemper returns to L.A. after career-
represents new hope in New Jersey net. worst season, while Rittich looks to
Allen didn’t get much help in Montreal. build on his best big-league campaign.

16 WASHINGTON 21 COLORADO 26 UTAH 31 COLUMBUS

CAPITALS AVALANCHE HOCKEY CLUB BLUE JACKETS
CHARLIE LINDGREN/LOGAN THOMPSON ALEXANDAR GEORGIEV/JUSTUS ANNUNEN CONNOR INGRAM/KAREL VEJMELKA ELVIS MERZLIKINS/DANIIL TARASOV
Lindgren, a fringe Vezina contender, Georgiev won 38 games but otherwise Ingram flipped the script and stole the For both the team and player, Merzlikins
will be pushed by former Vegas No. 1 had replacement-level stats. Untested top job last season. Can either elevate needs a new home. Tarasov fared much
Thompson. Caps have a crease battle. Annunen has realistic shot at No. 1 job. and push reshaped squad into playoffs? better last season, but the bar was low.

17 TORONTO 22 PITTSBURGH 27 SEATTLE 32 PHILADELPHIA

MAPLE LEAFS PENGUINS KRAKEN FLYERS
JOSEPH WOLL/ANTHONY STOLARZ TRISTAN JARRY/ALEX NEDELJKOVIC JOEY DACCORD/PHILIPP GRUBAUER IVAN FEDOTOV/SAMUEL ERSSON
Big pressure on Woll, but Stolarz’s Jarry was great when he was on last Kraken hoping for repeat performance of With 60 total starts, Flyers have NHL’s
showing last year has Leafs hopeful he season – and awful when he wasn’t. For Daccord’s breakout season. Grubauer’s least experienced crease. Fedotov is an
can act as safety net for young keeper. his part, ‘Ned’ hasn’t fulfilled potential. run in Seattle has been nightmarish. unknown quantity, at least for now.

T HE GO ALI E I SS U E THE H OCK E Y NE W S | 1 5 |

 BUZZ

ties to each market. As PWHL

PWHL
senior vice-president of busi-
ness operations Amy Scheer

NAME OF THE GAME

NATALIE
said, the PWHL is “excited for SPOONER
these new iden-
tities to deepen
the connection
between the
PWHL teams have nicknames and logos at last. Meet the Fleet, teams and their
Frost, Sirens, Sceptres, Victoire and Charge BY IAN KENNEDY local communities.” After fans
had a year to build anticipation

A
FTER A DEBUT SEASON with- Boston Fleet, Montreal Victoire, for names and logos, the new
out team names or logos, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, PWHL merchandise is now for
the PWHL unveiled the Toronto Sceptres and the reign- sale, and fans can chant nick-
new looks and monikers ing Walter Cup-champion Min- names heading into Season
of its Original Six clubs. Those nesota Frost. The league sought 2. Here’s a look at each of the
names were revealed to be the unique names that had specific six new team identities.

BOSTON MINNESOTA MONTREAL NEW YORK OTTAWA TORONTO

FLEET FROST VICTOIRE SIRENS CHARGE SCEPTRES
TOP: PHOTO BY PWHL; SPOONER: HEATHER POLLOCK/PWHL

‘FLEET’ IS MEANT TO THE PWHL’S ‘STATE OF LEANING INTO ITS THE LEAGUE CALLED the THE ‘O’ AND ‘C’ hybrid TORONTO, NICKNAMED
tell Bostonians they are Hockey’ team embraced French identity, the name “an ode to New logo is “crafted to re- ‘the Queen City,’ has
tougher together while its cold winters as the PWHL’s Quebec-based York City’s one-of-a- semble a spinning object a team identity full of
also acknowledging Frost. The identity club became the Victoire, kind energy, pace and brimming with electrical royal connections. The
Boston Harbor’s mari- represents Minnesota’s a name that will not be rhythm,” from the sirens current, representing Sceptres symbolize the
time history. The logo “deep-rooted love for translated to English. The heard in New York’s the power that the fans “power and strength
is a slanted ‘B’ formed the ice.” The stylized ‘F’ logo features a fleur-de- cityscape to the horn bring to every game.” found in courts and
from the shape of an logo has jagged edges lis atop wing-like shapes. following a goal. The The Charge’s identity palaces,” according to
anchor. The nautical that look like icicles, and The league says the logo features the name aims to convey forward the PWHL. The inter-
connections to Boston a dimensional shape wings “subtly allude to prominently, with motion and pay homage twined yellow ‘T’ and ‘S’
take on new meaning in that’s meant to show the Goddess of victory,” each ‘S’ reverberating to the city of Ottawa’s with an orb on top turn
the deep green of the “the harsh beauties of capable of inspiring both from New York’s “full motto: “advance – Toronto’s logo into an
Fleet’s color scheme. Minnesota’s winters.” players and fans. volume hockey.” Ottawa – en avant.” ornamental image.

| 16 | THE HOC KEY N EWS T H E GO ALIE ISSU E

 BUZZ

TEAM-FRIENDLY DEAL with the modest savings almost

By paying Jarvis $15.67 million at the allowing it to fly under the ra-
end of his contract, Carolina frees up dar. Before that, Shane Doan
$500,000 per season in cap space. was signed to a deferred-com-
pensation deal in 2016-17 that
kicked a signing bonus down
the road. And prior to his sign-
read into it, and they explained ing with the Nashville Preda-
it to me a little more, and it tors, it was speculated the Ve-
started to make more sense.” gas Golden Knights attempted
Of course, while the dollars to sign Jonathan Marchessault
and cents here are important to a deferred-money contract.
for both team and player, the Whether Jarvis’ deal is the
exact machinations of de- beginning of a trend, however,
ferred compensation aren’t the is impossible to say. While
greatest concern. Instead, it is player agent Ryan Barnes feels
whether Jarvis’ contract will certain deferred compensa-
set a dangerous precedent as tion “will be a talking point”
teams seek to re-sign their own when the current CBA expires
stars or make a big splash in the – which it’s set to do after the
NHL’s annual off-season arms 2025-26 season – he’s less sure
race known as unrestricted free it’s the next big thing. After all,
agency. And rest assured, even those who believe that a dollar
if the NHL did certify the Jarvis today is worth more than a dol-
contract, those in power are lar tomorrow might not be in-
paying attention. terested in waiting for their pay.
At the NHL’s Player Media “It’s almost like the offer sheet,”
Tour in Las Vegas in September, Barnes said. “It’s in (the CBA),
NHL deputy commissioner Bill but you don’t see it often. We’ll
Daly spoke to reporters about see where it fits in the order of
the use of deferred salary. importance in the next CBA ne-
While the provision does exist gotiations.”

BUY NOW,
and has been in the collective At the same time, The Hockey
bargaining agreement for some Wealth Group founder and cer-
time – Article 11.21, for those tified financial planner Johann
interested – Daly noted there Kroll sees potential for players

PAY LATER
is potentially a point where to begin at least exploring de-
use of the mechanism could ferred-compensation options
be considered cap circumven- during times when the implied
tion. Further, he hinted changes interest rate is elevated, not
could be coming. “The original only as a way to plan for life af-
deferred-comp rules were de- ter hockey but to pave a path to
Seth Jarvis’ contract put the spotlight on a salary-cap loophole.
veloped in a non-cap world as on-ice success. Ask Kroll, who
But is deferred compensation really the next big thing opposed to in the cap world, played pro hockey and won a
or merely a blip on the CBA radar? BY JARED CLINTON so they kind of were inherited,” Calder Cup with the Hershey
Daly said. “They probably need Bears in 2010, and you’ll learn

I
F THERE’S ONE WAY to get cludes $15.67 million that will adjustment on some basis go- winning is a benefit that’s hard
the attention of the bigwigs be paid out at the end of the ing forward.” to put a price on.
in the NHL’s head office, it’s contract. In essence, Jarvis will
finding ways to get creative
with the salary cap. And in the
be paid – with interest – at a
later date for services rendered IT’S ALMOST LIKE THE OFFER SHEET.
tradition of the since-restricted
front-loaded pacts and laugh-
during the lifetime of his deal
with the Hurricanes. At issue, IT’S IN (THE CBA), BUT YOU DON’T
ably long long-term deals, it
appears there’s
a new loophole
though, is how present-day
cap savings will be passed on
to Carolina. Effectively, through
SEE IT VERY OFTEN – Player agent Ryan Barnes
JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

the league could the use of deferred compensa- It is worth noting that while “If they’re opening up anoth-
seek to address: tion, Jarvis’ cap hit has been Jarvis’ contract has caused the er half-million dollars a year or
deferred com- lowered by nearly $500,000 most hubbub, it isn’t the first a million in extra cap space, that
pensation. per season. time deferred compensation can be the difference between
What has raised alarm Confused? Don’t sweat it. has been leveraged. In July, the bringing in a teammate that can
bells among the cap-minded Jarvis was, too. “When it came Hurricanes used it to reduce really help,” he said. “And I can
crowd is Seth Jarvis’ eight-year, across to me, I had no idea what Jaccob Slavin’s cap hit on his tell you from my own experi-
$63.2-million contract with the it meant,” he said at his post- eight-year, $51.17-million ex- ence, hockey is a lot more fun
Carolina Hurricanes, which in- signing press conference. “I tension by $70,000 per season, when you’re winning.”

THE GOA LI E IS SU E TH E HOCK E Y NE WS | 1 7 |

 BUZZ

HOCKEY CARDS OF SIX GREAT GOALTENDING ‘LASTS’

From the last goalie to play without a mask to the last goalie to play every minute
of a season, here are six stoppers who hold a unique place in hockey lore BY SAL BARRY

3
> LAST GOALIE
TO WEAR TWO
BLOCKERS
Dan Blackburn (2005)
Dan Blackburn played 63 NHL games
during two seasons with the New York
Rangers and looked poised to take over
from longtime starter Mike Richter.
Unfortunately, a nerve injury caused by
a weightlifting accident in 2003 left him
unable to rotate his left (catching) hand.
He sat out 2003-04, then attempted a
comeback by wearing a modified blocker
on his left hand. The special blocker
had webbing and a pocket added to the
underside so he could catch low shots
without needing to rotate his hand, while

1
still using the upper part of the blocker to
> LAST GOALIE TO PLAY deflect shots. Blackburn played 12 games in the latter
WITHOUT A MASK half of 2004-05 with the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings,
Andy Brown (1977) then retired for good. Years later, he again donned two

BLACKBURN (ALUMNI): BRUCE C. COOPER/CREATIVE COMMONS; BLACKBURN (ACTION): LOU CAPOZZOLA-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jacques Plante was the first goalie to blockers when he played for the Rangers against the
wear a mask regularly in the NHL, beginning when he Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 Winter Classic alumni
donned one in a game in 1959. Fifteen years later, every game. No cards exist of Blackburn using two blockers,
goalie in the league was wearing a mask – except the but he has over 30 rookie cards, such as this serial-
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Andy Brown. Brown’s last NHL numbered card in the 2001-02 Pacific Heads Up set.
game was April 7, 1974, a 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Flames.
He went on to play three more seasons in the WHA
with the Indianapolis Racers – all without a mask –
before retiring in 1977. Brown had only one hockey card
during his career, in the 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee WHA set.

2
> LAST GOALIE TO WEAR A
FIBERGLASS MASK
Sam St-Laurent (1991)
The fiberglass goalie mask introduced
by Plante was a game-changer for the position, but it
had its share of problems. Both Gerry Desjardins and
Bernie Parent sustained career-ending eye injuries in
the late 1970s due to the fiberglass mask’s lack of eye
protection. Gradually throughout the 1980s, NHL goalies
switched from fiberglass masks to helmet-and-cage Da n
B la c k b u r n
combos or hybrid masks. Yet, one goalie hung on to his
old-school mask until the 1990s. Career backup Sam St-
Laurent played his final NHL game for the Detroit Red
Wings on Feb. 8, 1990. His last pro game was with the
AHL’s Binghamton Rangers at the start of 1991-92. After
that, he retired his “Jason-style” mask for a modern one
when he joined the Canadian national team in 1991. St-
Laurent’s 1986-87 Wings team-issued card is the only
one that pictures him in a fiberglass mask.

| 18 | T HE H OC K EY NE WS T HE GOAL I E I SSU E
 BUZZ

5
> LAST GOALIE TO
BE A TEAM CAPTAIN
Roberto Luongo (2010)
The NHL may have had a rule
that prohibited goaltenders from serving
as a team captain, but that didn’t stop the
Vancouver Canucks from naming Roberto
Luongo as their captain for the 2008-09
and 2009-10 seasons. Luongo didn’t wear
a letter on his jersey, but he did have a ‘C’
painted on the chin of his goalie mask. And
while he didn’t perform any of the on-ice
duties that a team captain normally would,
such as communicating with the referees or
taking part in ceremonial faceoffs, Luongo
did routinely speak with the media before
games until near the end of his tenure as

6
captain. Upper Deck included a card of Luongo

4
donning the ‘C’ in its 2009-10 Captain’s Calling insert > LAST GOALIE TO PLAY EVERY
> LAST GOALIE TO set, which featured nine of the league’s most popular MINUTE OF A SEASON
WEAR TWO TRAPPERS team captains. Ed Johnston (1964)
Bill Durnan (1950) The last time a goalie played in every
In his seven-season NHL career, Montreal minute of every game for his team was during 1963-64,
Canadiens goalie Bill Durnan won the Vezina Trophy when Ed Johnston played all 70 games for the Boston
six times and the Stanley Cup twice. He was also Bruins. He probably could’ve used a night or two off,
ambidextrous and wore two special padded gloves though, as he compiled an 18-40-12 record, and the
instead of the traditional trapper and blocker. This Bruins finished in last place. Coincidentally, Johnston’s
allowed him to hold his stick or catch the puck with rookie card is in the 1963-64 Topps set. Midway through
either hand, as seen on his 1955-56 Parkhurst rookie the next season, the NHL required teams to dress two
card, which was issued as an “Oldtime Great” card netminders, making it possible to replace a goalie who
five years after he retired. Durnan was also the Habs’ was having a bad game, or easier to give a workhorse
captain in 1947-48. However, he left the crease to argue netminder a night off every now and then. As the
with the referee so often that the NHL banned goalies number of regular-season games increased over the
from serving as captain starting the next season. While years, more than 50 goalies have since played 70 or
Durnan was the last goalie with a ‘C’ on his sweater, he more games in a season – but none since Johnston can
wasn’t the last goalie to be a captain. say that they’ve played every single minute of every
single game in a season.

Ro be rt o
L uo ng o
LUONGO: ANNE-MARIE SORVIN-US PRESSWIRE

THE G OAL IE IS SU E THE HOCK EY NE W S | 19 |

 MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

NICE GUYS FINISH LAST? NOT ALWAYS.

MARC-ANDRE FLEURY ENTERS THE 21ST
AND FINAL SEASON OF HIS NHL CAREER AS
ONE OF THE LEAGUE’S ALL-TIME GOOD GUYS.
BUT DON’T LET THE FRIENDLY SMILE FOOL
YOU – THE COMPETITIVE FIRE STILL BURNS,
AND HE’S HERE TO WIN BY KEN CAMPBELL
T’S THE NOT KNOWING that’s the Fleury’s car and joke during a television
worst part. Yeah, it’s definitely the interview that Fleury was doing impressive
not knowing. Welcome to the hells- things at the age of 50. Next thing you know,
cape that is Marc-Andre Fleury’s Duhaime’s tires are removed and chained
together in the parking garage, his car is on
BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS

final season in the NHL. His team-

mates, both present and past, are cinder blocks, and there’s a small garden on
operating on the assumption that his hood.
they’ll have to spend the 2024-25 season ‘The Kid’ has to be crapping his pants
on constant high alert. I mean, look what right about now. All Sidney Crosby did was
Fleury did to Brandon Duhaime last year, fill Fleury’s gear with gum one time, and
and all the poor guy did was toilet-paper then he shows up at the NHL Media Tour

| 20 | T HE HO C KE Y N E WS T HE G OA LI E ISSUE
T HE GO ALI E I SS UE THE HO CK E Y NE W S | 2 1 |
 MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

two years ago and all his and Ryan Suter still playing
equipment is hanging in from that 2003 draft. (Fun fact:
his stall taped togeth- Fleury’s 22 career assists have
er. You see, they know him tied for 69th in NHL scor-
Fleury could strike at ing – with Paul Bissonnette and
any time, but they don’t others – among the 292 players
know when or how. If drafted that year.)
they’ve wronged him Three Stanley Cups, with the
in any way, they can be first one coming on one of the
pretty sure he’s going to most clutch saves in NHL his-
use an XL18 flamethrow- tory, an unlikely Vezina Tro-
er to wipe out an ant hill. phy late in his career, a trip to
And after everything Fleury has done the Cup final with ‘The Golden
in the 21 years he’s been in the NHL, Misfits’ and an unblemished
he has to have one epic, all-time, go- off- and on-ice reputation have
out-in-a-blaze-of-glory, Lloyd-Christ- Fleury breathing the rarefied
mas-level prank in him, right? air among some of the most re-
“To be honest, I haven’t thought spected players in the game.
much about it,” Fleury said, “but now He has had bad days, to be
that you mention it…” sure, but it’s difficult to tell
See what we mean? How can any- since Fleury spends most of
one trust that? For his part, Fleury the time showing off the whit-
maintains that, “I’m pretty sure all est and straightest teeth in NHL
the scores have been settled,” bril- history. He brings joy to every
liantly capped by the demented crease and every dressing room
chef’s kiss that was the Duhaime he steps into, and it will contin-
prank last April in Colorado, with ue to be that way as he tries to
Fleury waiting in the background get in the path of as many pucks
and giggling. as he can in his last season.
As Fleury embarks on the final Of course, he has some of
season of an NHL career that will un- the big games circled on his
doubtedly result in a call to the Hock- calendar, or at least digitally
ey Hall of Fame in 2028, it will be bookmarked. Oct. 29 in Pitts-
about what it has always been about burgh, man, that’s going to be
– competing against the best players a tear-jerker. Jan. 12 in Vegas,
in the world and trying to beat them too. The games in Montreal are
in every outing. But as he makes his always special, and the Wild
way through the league one last time, will be there Jan. 30. Even Chi-
he’ll allow himself to take it all in, to cago, where Fleury played part
soak up the memories he has created over ongo for second place on the all- HALL OF A of one season, will give him the
the years. time games-played list behind CAREER feels when he visits there Nov.
And beneath it all will be a deep sense Martin Brodeur. His fifth game With three Cups 10 and Jan. 26. And in late No-
of gratitude for everything the game has will move him past Patrick Roy, and the second-most vember, Fleury will celebrate
given him the past two decades. During the who he eclipsed for second on wins in NHL history, his 40th birthday, making him
season, everything happens so quickly, and the all-time wins list, also be- Fleury is bound for one of only 25 goalies – 23 if
you might spend a day or two in St. Louis hind Brodeur, last season. the Hall of Fame. you throw out one-game won-
and move on to the next ders Lester Patrick
place, all on autopilot. Fleury and David Ayres – to
doesn’t want that in his last
go-round. He wants it to also
be a time of reflection. About
THERE WILL BE MEMORIES. play an NHL game
after their 40th birth-
day. Of that group,
what he has done, what he
has and how incredibly for- ALL THOSE MEMORIES IN ALL 12 are in the Hall of
Fame, and Fleury will

THOSE BUILDINGS – MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

tunate he has been to make join them there.
a living out of playing hockey. But before all that
“Maybe take a few more min- can happen, there
utes in every building, to take is a rather crowded
MICHAEL SACKETT-USA TODAY SPORTS

the time to appreciate that I’m still doing Brodeur, Fleury, Roy and Luongo account Wild crease situation to be sorted out. To be
this,” Fleury said. “There will be memories. for the top four spots. (Remember when fair, goaltending was a bit of a black hole for
All those memories in all those buildings.” Quebec used to be a goalie factory?) The Minnesota in 2023-24, with Fleury posting
They go all the way back to 2003, consid- fifth time Fleury starts a game for the Wild just 17 wins and the worst save percentage
ered one of the strongest draft crops ever, this season, he will register his 1,000th ca- of his career (.895). Filip Gustavsson fol-
when the Pittsburgh Penguins traded up to reer start. With the retirements of Joe Pav- lowed up a brilliant 2022-23 with an equal-
take Fleury first overall. If he appears in 20 elski and Jeff Carter in the summer, that ly disastrous ’23-24. The wild card is Jesper
games this season, he’ll eclipse Roberto Lu- leaves only Fleury, Brent Burns, Corey Perry Wallstedt, a first-round pick of the Wild in

| 22 | THE HOCK E Y NE WS T HE G OA L IE ISSUE

 BILL GUERIN &
MARC-ANDRE FLEURY
2021 and the franchise’s him still being a good player in
goalie of the future. After two the league and being competi-
solid but unspectacular sea- tive as hell.”
sons in the AHL, the feeling is That’s what it is all about for
Wallstedt, who turns 22 two Fleury, too. Behind the effulgent
weeks before Fleury hits 40, smile, calm exterior and pleas-
could be ready for NHL work. ant demeanor is a guy who
The consensus is Gustavs- hates losing almost as much as
son is probably on the least he loves winning. Anyone who
stable ground, but there’s no has played with or dealt with
sense trying to untangle this Fleury will attest to the fact that
thing too early, because who from the time he first appeared
knows with goalies from one wearing braces in THN’s 2003
year to the next, anyway? Draft Preview issue, the com-
One thing both the Wild petitive fires have burned hot
and Fleury are adamant and bright. You don’t last in the
about is that this will not be NHL for as long as Fleury has
The Marc-Andre Fleury Fare- without an unyielding desire
well Tour, where they keep to win. “It’s probably stronger
trotting out a 40-year-old than ever,” said Fleury of his
just for the sake of having will to win. “That feeling you
him wave to the crowd after get when you play against the
the game. If you had to de- best players in the world and
scribe the Wild in one word win against them, there’s noth-
– and this goes for almost ing like it. And then you want to
win again, and then you want to
win again.”

Nine years ago, the Penguins

were playing a pre-season game
at the Cambria County War Me-
morial Arena to commemorate
Johnstown, Pa., winning the
Kraft Hockeyville contest. The
fictional home of the Charles-
town Chiefs of Slap Shot fame,
the city leans big-time into its
cinematic lore. A marketing
genius with the Penguins came
up with the idea for Fleury and
local broadcaster Dan Potash
to play Denis Lemieux and Jim
Carr and recreate the opening
scene of the movie. Fleury nails
Lemieux’s words and manner-
isms almost as well as Yvon
Barrette did in the movie, not
even cracking a smile when he
talks about how, “you go to the
box, two minutes by yourself
every season they’ve been in the league – it in goals against and lost nine WILD and you feel shame. And then
would probably be “meh.” Not terrible. Not overtime games last season. FINISH you get free.”
great. Kind of in the mushy middle, and not Improved goaltending will have Fleury is focused on You can probably count on
likely to be able to really build themselves to be part of the equation if the taking it all in during one hand, with a finger or two
into a contender until they shed the $14.7 Wild hope to return to the post- his final NHL season left over, the number of players
MATT BLEWETT-USA TODAY SPORTS

million in salary retention on the Zach season, with or without Fleury – and his will to win is who would agree to do some-
Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts after this in goal. stronger than ever. thing like that, particularly in
season. If one of the Wild goalies grabs “It will be business as usual this day and age. But it was clas-
the crease and pulls a Devan Dubnyk circa because that’s what ‘Flower’ wants,” said sic Fleury, a guy who isn’t afraid to put him-
2015, he’ll be the one who plays. The Wild Wild GM Bill Guerin. “He doesn’t want any of self out there and doesn’t take himself too
missed the playoffs last year and haven’t that stuff. He’s never wanted it. We want to seriously. It’s all part of the sheer joy he has
advanced past the first round in a decade. have a good year. We want to make the play- playing the game, and it’s why nobody in the
They were in the bottom half of the league offs. This is not a farewell tour. This is about hockey world seems to have a disparaging

THE GOA LI E I SS UE THE HOCK E Y NE W S | 23 |

 MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

word to say about him. Former Penguins Vegas, where he has built a home, and the stick, skate around, get a good sweat,” Fleury
PERRY NELSON-USA TODAY SPORTS

GM Jim Rutherford, who has been around summers in suburban Montreal. If he can said. “And just to sit on the bench and have
the game for more than a half-century, once find a way to make hockey work while he somebody to talk to. That would be fun.”
referred to Fleury as, “the best team player puts his family first, there might be a fit. But Fleury is adamant that, at least for
in sports,” for good reason. He’d like to play a little beer-league hockey, the first couple of years after his retire-
And that is why teams will almost cer- but not as a goalie, because every goalie ment, his family will be the top priority. He’s
tainly line up to hire Fleury if he decides he who ever lived has this notion that he’s also missed too many Christmas pageants, Hal-
wants a future in the game. The plan for now a great position player. “I like the idea of try- loweens and birthdays over the years, and
is to spend the winters and school years in ing to make plays and score and dangle the he wants to be there for those. He wants

| 24 | THE HOC KE Y N EW S THE GOAL IE ISSUE

 GM. When Guerin went to see then-GM Ray
Shero about a job, Shero told him his biggest
nightmare was having to give jobs to former
players who wanted the title, the office and
the paycheque but weren’t willing to travel
to Grand Rapids to watch the farm team.
“Let’s see how hard he wants to work,”
said Guerin of Fleury’s post-playing pros-
pects. “Being in hockey operations is not
easy, and it’s not the glamorous life people
think it is. But, that being said, he has every-
thing it would take to be successful. ‘Flower’
is smart, he’s charismatic, and he’s got great
relationships around the league. There’s no
reason he couldn’t have success on the oth-
er side. He’s got all the intangibles and the

THIS IS NOT A FAREWELL TOUR.

THIS IS ABOUT HIM STILL BEING A
GOOD PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE
AND BEING COMPETITIVE AS HELL
– BILL GUERIN
MIDDLE: PER HALJESTAM-USA TODAY SPORTS

to watch his daughters, 11-year-old Estelle post-playing life, but if he were to stay in- ingredients of a guy who could do it.”
TOP: MATT BLEWETT-USA TODAY SPORTS;

and nine-year-old Scarlett, play soccer. volved in the game, it would probably be Until then, Fleury will make sure to enjoy
Five-year-old James is just beginning his at the management level. And that makes the last leg of his playing journey. On the
hockey journey, and Fleury is looking for- sense for a guy who has made a career build- exterior, it doesn’t look as though Fleury
ward to where that will take him. “He just ing relationships. If he needs a roadmap, he has aged all that much over the years. Sure,
learned to skate last year, but for the games, need look no further than his former team- he no longer tints his hair, but really, who
he always wants to go back into the net,” mate and boss, who took a year off after he does that anymore? He’s still in outstanding
Fleury said. “I’m like, ‘Go score some goals.’ ” retired, then joined Pittsburgh’s front office, physical shape. And even he marvels at the
Fleury hasn’t thought much about his first as a development coach, then assistant fact that time has gone by so quickly.

THE GO ALI E IS SU E THE HOCK E Y NE WS | 2 5 |

 MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

| 26 | THE H OCK EY N EWS THE GOA LI E I SSUE

 ONE FOR Like every other

MOVING ON UP
THE ROAD player who re-
“I know I’m on my last tires, he’ll miss
miles here,” Fleury the games and his
says. “I love the feeling teammates in the
and want to enjoy it as
long as I can.”
dressing room, but
not so much the
HOW MUCH HAS MARC-ANDRE FLEURY
grind it requires in IMPROVED HIS STOCK SINCE THN
the summer to prepare for the next season.
Nor will he miss waking up with at least
RANKED THE NHL’S BEST GOALIES
one part of his body hurting, which has SIX YEARS AGO? BY BRIAN COSTELLO
been the case for the past couple of sea-
sons. He won’t hike his pants up to his chest IN 2018, THE HOCKEY News put together the game's
and complain that he seems to be busier in most comprehensive list of the top 100 goaltenders in
NHL history in a special collector's edition magazine.
retirement than when he was working, be- Coming in at No. 40 was Marc-Andre Fleury, who was 14
cause he doesn’t plan on replacing the chaos seasons into an NHL career that will span 21 seasons.
of playing in the NHL with doing something By today's standards, that ranking seems shockingly
else at a chaotic pace. He acknowledges he low. After all, he'll finish his career second in all-time
doesn’t know much of anything about the NHL wins behind only Martin Brodeur (691).
hockey-ops side of the game, and the ability So, how high would Fleury rise if the all-time goalie
to play at the highest level doesn’t translate rankings were revised today? Top 20? Top 10? Top five?

TOP ’TENDERS
into an ability to build a team as much as Let's review how the top-100 goalie list was created.
people think. In 1997, when The Hockey News turned 50, we se-
lected a revered committee of 50 hockey experts to vote
on the top 100 players of all-time. The depth of knowl-

THAT edge on the panel was beyond reproach, and that list
is considered authoritative. The quantity and quality of
the 50 voters included panellists who played or watched
THIS IS HOW THE HOCKEY NEWS
RANKED THE NHL’S TOP 50 GOALIES
FEELING YOU GET the game as far back as the 1930s. That was the starting
point for the 19 goalies who played up to that point in
time and made 1997's list of top 100 players.
OF ALL-TIME IN 2018. PLAYERS IN
RED WERE ACTIVE AT THE TIME
WHEN YOU PLAY THN commissioned a panel to update the goalie
rankings in 2010, then again with the special issue in
2018. The 2010 ranking was particularly interesting 1. Terry Sawchuk 26. Tom Barrasso

AGAINST THE
because three goalies who peaked at the turn of the
century (Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek and Brodeur)
2. Patrick Roy 27. Carey Price
forged themselves alongside three stoppers from the 3. Martin Brodeur 28. Harry Lumley

BEST PLAYERS IN
Original Six era (Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante and 4. Jacques Plante 29. Roberto Luongo
Glenn Hall) to create a top six who are in a class of their
own. In fact, a compelling case can be made that each 5. Dominik Hasek 30. Ed Giacomin

THE WORLD AND

of the six deserves positioning at the head of that class. 6. Glenn Hall 31. Alec Connell
Does it stand to reason that Fleury deserves to join
that six-man group? Especially when you consider his 7. Ken Dryden 32. Jonathan Quick

WIN AGAINST
one Vezina win (2021) came after our 2018 ranking that 8. Bill Durnan 33. Rogie Vachon
had him 40th. And Fleury's next-best season in terms of
Vezina consideration was a fourth-place finish in 2019. 9. George Hainsworth 34. Hap Holmes

THEM, THERE’S
But not so fast. Fleury did win three Cups, but only 10. Turk Broda 35. Tim Thomas
once was he named to an NHL all-star team (the second
team in 2020-21, the year he won the Vezina). Compare
11. Bernie Parent 36. Curtis Joseph

NOTHING LIKE IT
his career to the No. 11 goalie on our 2018 list. Bernie 12. Frank Brimsek 37. Chuck Rayner
Parent won two Cups, two Vezinas, two Conn Smythes 13. Grant Fuhr 38. Mike Vernon
and was a first-team all-star twice. Sure, Parent's 271
wins are less than half of Fleury’s total, but Parent had a 14. Georges Vezina 39. Gerry Cheevers
– MARC-ANDRE FLEURY longer stretch of sustained elite excellence.
A reasonable landing spot for Fleury is in the 25-
15. Charlie Gardiner 40. Marc-Andre Fleury
to-30 range. Those spots were occupied on our 2018 16. Clint Benedict 41. Miikka Kiprusoff
Once the puck drops, for Fleury, it will list by Gump Worsley, Tom Barrasso, Carey Price, Harry 17. Tony Esposito 42. John Vanbiesbrouck
be all about winning games and capturing Lumley, Roberto Luongo and Ed Giacomin.
all the great things about playing and hang- Don’t be seduced by Fleury’s standing as the 18. Ed Belfour 43. Mike Richter
ing on to them. He still can’t believe playing second-winningest goalie of all-time. Yes, his outland- 19. Billy Smith 44. Dave Kerr
hockey is a job that will have paid him almost ish number of wins is notable, but as hockey historian
James Benesh wondered: “Why do some people
20. Lorne Chabot 45. Ron Hextall
$100 million by the time his career ends. All
21. Tiny Thompson
ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS

he wanted to do as a teenager was play one treat goalie wins as a measure of how dominant they 46. Sergei Bobrovsky
were? We don’t judge forwards or defensemen by the 22. Johnny Bower
game in the NHL, and he’s played more than 47. Mike Liut
number of games they won.”
a thousand. Regardless of how this season When we reflect on Fleury’s career, we see a Hall 23. Roy Worters 48. Pekka Rinne
ends, he’ll leave the game with no regrets. “I of Fame netminder who won a lot of games and three 24. Henrik Lundqvist 49. Al Rollins
know I’m on my last miles here,” Fleury said. Stanley Cups and is properly slotted in the 25-to-30
“I love the feeling, and I want to enjoy it as range among all-time goalies. 25. Gump Worsley 50. John Ross Roach
long as I can as much as I can while I can.”

THE GO ALI E I SS U E THE HOC K EY NE W S | 27 |

 LINUS ULLMARK

LINUS ULLMARK
LIKES WHAT HE
SEES ON AND OFF
THE ICE IN OTTAWA
AS HE GETS SET
TO TAKE OVER
THE SENATORS’
NO. 1 GOALIE GIG
BY DILLON COLLINS

HAT DO WE PLAY FOR? swap with the Boston Bruins, the 31-year-
Money? Fame? Glory? Ad- old admits that his family is easing into the
miration? There’s no right comforts of the Ottawa area.
or wrong answer, and the “It’s a very peaceful and calm neighbor-
checklist for any athlete hood that we’re living in, and we are very
will vary. For Linus Ullmark, much enjoying ourselves at the moment,”
the latest – and Senators fans hope the last Ullmark said. “The kids are having fun at
DAVID KIROUAC-IMAGN IMAGES

– in the carousel of high-profile goaltenders school, which is always a blast as a parent

acquired to bolster Ottawa’s crease, the when you see that your kids are thriving and
balance between a love of the game and an enjoying themselves. And that’s the most
even greater love for his family has resulted important part, that they’re doing well and
in the most prolific period of his career. that they’re enjoying it, and that my wife
As he settles into life in Canada’s capital is feeling safe and calm and happy about
after being acquired by the Sens in a June where we are at the moment. That is always

| 28 | TH E HOC KEY N EWS TH E GO A LI E I SSUE

THE GO ALI E I S SU E THE HOCK E Y NEW S | 29 |
 LINUS ULLMARK

going to be one of the main fo- against average for a Sabres squad that
cuses and questions when you missed the playoffs both years.
get traded or you sign for a new His dependable play earned him a four-
team or whatever it may be.” year, $20-million UFA deal with Boston in
Ullmark’s road from a wide- the summer of 2021, which paid immediate
eyed fan of legends such as Peter dividends as Ullmark delivered a sturdy 2.45
Forsberg and Dominik Hasek to GAA and .917 save percentage in 41 games.
a runaway Vezina Trophy win- He followed that up with a sensational cam-
ner began in earnest with the paign in 2022-23, winning the Vezina and
storied Modo program, where Jennings Trophies on the strength of a 1.89
the young goaltending prospect GAA, .938 SP and an unreal 40 wins in 49
from Lugnvik, Swe., served parts regular-season games.
of six seasons between the junior and pro Ullmark exits a 1A/1B split-start situa-
levels. There, he rubbed shoulders with his tion with Jeremy Swayman for an anticipat-
current goaltending partner in Ottawa, An- ed higher workload in Ottawa. The Senators
ton Forsberg. The oddity of reuniting with have rotated through a cadre of would-be
Forsberg after a decade isn’t lost on Ull- starters in recent years, from Cam Talbot to
mark. “It is a special situation that not a lot Matt Murray to Filip Gustavsson to Joonas
Korpisalo. They are now bet-
ting big on the Ullmark-Fors-
berg connection to end a seven-
year playoff drought.
Patience from fans is low
while on-ice expectations trend
high, but Ullmark believes a
steady and mature dressing
room buoyed by new manage-
ment and fresh coach Travis
Green will carry the day.
“Rome wasn’t built over-
night,” Ullmark said. “So, for
me and other guys that come
in from the outside, obviously
there’s a lot of responsibilities
for us, and the expectation is
for us to show the team what
needs to be done. But there are
still pieces in the squad that
are another year older with an-
other year in The Show. I think
for the management and the
coaches, it’s all about utilizing
everybody’s strengths to come
together as a unit and play as a
full team.
“When I look around the
of guys can relate to,” he said. ULLMARK’S room, there are a lot of skill- said. “The whole season is not upon my
“Me and Anton started our pro- HALLMARK ful players and smart and good shoulders. I learned that, and it’s never go-
fessional career back in Sweden After 40 wins in 49 players. They’re good human ing to be like that. My job is to stop pucks. I
together, and now, look at us games in 2022-23, beings that, in the right en- can’t go out there and score goals. I can’t go
10 years down the road. We’re Ullmark was awarded vironment, will blossom and out there and make big plays at all times. We
playing for the same franchise the Vezina and become star players. And I’m have to all rely on each other and utilize our
and same team again. I’m just Jennings Trophies. excited to see that unfold and strengths and play to our utmost capacity
hoping and praying that every- hopefully be a part of making every single night.
CHRISTOPHER HANEWINCKEL-USA TODAY SPORTS

thing goes well and goes like it did the last that happen.” “We all win as a team. We all lose as a
time we played together. If it does, this will Battle-tested through two tours of duty team. It doesn’t matter if you’re one of the
be a very, very fun season.” in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division, reasons, if you drop the puck or let in a bad
A sixth-round selection (163rd over- Ullmark is primed and ready to take the goal, it all comes down to the fact it’s a team
all) of the Buffalo Sabres in 2012, Ullmark reigns as a true No. 1 netminder. He’s quick effort, and we win and we lose as a team.
split his formative pro years between the to point out, however, that a complete team And that’s something that we all have to
SHL and the AHL’s Rochester Americans, effort, and nothing less, will lead the Sena- get behind. Because that’ll help you under-
becoming an anchor of the rebuilding Sa- tors to greener pastures. stand the bigger part of it and not get you
bres as the club cruised toward the 2020s. “I’ve learned throughout my career from too down or too high when things go bad or
Across 2019-20 and ’20-21, he posted 26 being around world-class players and lead- things go right.”
wins in 54 games with a solid 2.67 goals- ers that it’s not a one-man show,” Ullmark After being embraced by the franchise

| 30 | THE HOC KEY NE WS T H E GO AL IE ISSUE

 EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY
and fan base, Ullmark has
his priorities in place, and he
feels ready to thrive on and
off the ice. “That’s one of the
things that I felt coming in
here and meeting all the fel-
ON THE ICE AND WITH WHAT I DO FOR A
las,” Ullmark said. “I felt very
comfortable. It’s not just me LIVING, I DO IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE,
AND THAT’S FOR MY FAMILY – LINUS ULLMARK
being a very carefree and
easygoing person. They’ve
done a good job of treating
me with respect and as an
MARC DESROSIERS-IMAGN IMAGES

equal right away and making me and my early stage, it calms you down and brings tions and anxieties towards that for me as
family feel welcome. So, I have a lot of grati- you some inner peace as a player. Even a parent and a father and a husband. And
tude, and I think that’s not just the play- though I have a responsibility on the ice those things are always bigger than hockey.
ers but the coaches, the management, the and with what I do for a living, I do it for So, taking care of those things off the ice
whole organization, everybody that lives someone else, and that’s for my family. If will allow me to focus more on the task at
here in Ottawa. they’re not well and they’re not thriving, hand. And that’s to stop pucks for the Ot-
“Having those pieces fall into place at an then there’s just going to be so many ques- tawa Senators.”

THE G OAL IE IS SU E T HE HOCK EY NEW S | 3 1 |

 JOSEPH WOLL

JOSEPH WOLL HAS BEEN TO THE ALPS AND

DREAMS OF ONE DAY EXPERIENCING THE
HIMALAYAS. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HE’S
HOPING TO SUMMIT A PEAK OF ANOTHER
SORT IN TORONTO BY RYAN KENNEDY

THE

URING THE HOCKEY season,

Joseph Woll lives in Canada’s
biggest city, a teeming me-
tropolis where every resident
seems to have an opinion on
how his team can finally win
the Stanley Cup. So, when the
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender gets time
off in the summer, he tries to go off the grid
for a bit, taking in the great outdoors when
he’s not training.
This off-season, Woll headed out to Colo-
rado with his brother and his best friend.
The year prior, he went to Europe to engage
his passion for mountains. “I took a cool trip
out to the Alps to see Mont Blanc, and that’s
my favorite mountain so far,” Woll said. “For
DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS

my mask this year, I had Dave Gunnarsson of

DaveArt put Mont Blanc on my helmet for a
little personal touch.” tion. Of course, that’s not going to happen
Right now, for obvious reasons, Woll is for a while, as the 26-year-old Woll is just
limited in how much perilous adventuring getting started in the NHL.
he can do, but he sees himself getting into For the past two seasons, we’ve seen
mountaineering in his post-hockey life, with glimpses of the big netminder’s potential,
the Himalayas being a bucket-list destina- as the Leafs have turned to him in the play-

| 32 | T HE HOC KEY N EW S TH E G OA LIE I SSU E

THE GO A LI E I S S UE T HE HO CKE Y NEW S | 3 3 |
 JOSEPH WOLL

offs twice when he was needed the St. Louis native is primed to have a big
to replace erstwhile starter Ilya season in Toronto. He put in the work with
Samsonov. With Samsonov now Leafs goalie coach Curtis Sanford during
a member of the Vegas Golden the summer to make it so. “One of my big
Knights and former Florida Pan- focuses was about body mechanics,” Woll
thers backup Anthony Stolarz said. “Being able to focus on that off the ice
joining Toronto, Woll will un- was really good because it set the stage for
doubtedly surpass the 25 regu- when I got back on the ice. I felt a tangible
lar-season appearances he made difference in how I moved. It’s about mak-
as a rookie last year. ing sure the right muscles are on and do-
It may be a gamble for the ing their job. Over the course of my career,
Leafs, but the team feels like it’s I’ve seen myself grow and evolve. Before I
a safe one based on what Woll has shown so turned pro, I relied quite a bit on my ath-
far. “I’ve got all the confidence in the world leticism and making saves when I was out of
in him,” said GM Brad Treliving. “Joe is one position. Since turning pro, I’ve learned to
of the top young goaltenders in the league. harness that better. It’s really about learn-
Now, there’s a step, right? There’s a process ing to work within a system. That kind of
you go through because it’s a hard position, mindset and the longevity you can get from
operating in a healthier way
and protecting your joints is
very important.”
Woll cut his teeth with
USA Hockey’s National Team
Development Program,
where he formed an impres-
sive battery with Dallas Stars
starter Jake Oettinger. From
there, the two became rivals
as Woll headed to Boston
College while Oettinger pa-
trolled the crease for Boston
University. Woll spent three
seasons with the Eagles be-
fore turning pro in 2019. He
made his NHL debut two sea-
sons later, getting into four
games with the Leafs. But it
was 2022-23 where he really
came onto the radar, post-
ing an exceptional .932 save
percentage and 6-1-0 record
in seven NHL appearances
while also playing well in the

IT’S VERY DIFFERENT

BEING A GOALIE WHO PLAYS
THREE TIMES A WEEK AND
A GOALIE WHO PLAYS
ONE GAME A WEEK – JOSEPH WOLL
NICK TURCHIARO-USA TODAY SPORTS

and we want to make sure we support him. AHL with the Toronto Marlies. clouds. “It’s funny,” he said. “Every year, I go
We have great depth at the position.” Last season was another step up, and this into the season with the mindset that, ‘I’ve
We might have seen more from Woll al- season promises to feature even more NHL learned what I’ve needed to learn and I’m
ready if it had not been for injuries, includ- work – potentially double the 25 appear- ready to go.’ And every year, I’m constantly
ing a high-ankle sprain that kept him out for ances he made in 2023-24 – but Woll has reminded that it’s an ever-evolving process.
nearly three months last season. But as it is, already learned to keep his head out of the Every year, I’m given things where I realize

| 3 4 | THE HOC KE Y NE W S T HE GOA L IE ISSU E

 guy who works extremely hard
and has played outstanding for
us. He’s a mature young man.
He’s not a kid. He’s confident,
and as a D-man, it’s nice to have
those conversations over the
summer where you see he’s fo-
cused. And I think he’s looking
forward to more playing time.
He’s ready for it.”
Playing in Toronto comes
with a lot of pressure, espe-
cially for a goalie serving as the
last line of defense. But the fact
Woll has shown he can perform
in the playoffs, even in a small
sample size, puts him in a bet-
ter position than many of To-
ronto’s past starters, who have
been part of the reason the
Leafs have won only one playoff
series in nearly 20 years.
Luckily for Woll, he has
other pursuits that alleviate
that pressure and work his
mind in different ways: play-
ing piano and writing music.
In some ways, the structure of
piano is similar to hockey, but
when Woll is creating his own
compositions, he’s firing en-
tirely new synapses. “It’s pure
creativity and letting my mind
go every place it can,” he said.
“In goaltending, it’s almost the
opposite. You’re very in the
moment, and you keep return-
ing to the moment. Creative
thoughts aren’t necessarily the
most productive when you’re in
net and trying to focus on the
puck. Playing piano, you can get
in the flow of something, and
that’s very similar to hockey.”
TOP: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS; MIDDLE: JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

I still need to learn and expe- NET The Leafs believe Woll has
rience things. Last year, there GAINS the technical ability and de-
were different pockets of time Woll played 25 games meanor to be a difference-mak-
where I was starting more or as an NHL rookie last er in the crease. Staying healthy
starting less, and the big thing I season. Barring injury, is the only question mark. Sto-
learned is that it’s very different he may play twice as larz is coming off a Cup-win-
being a goalie who plays three many games this year. ning season with the Panthers,
times a week and a goalie who where he posted a .925 save
plays one game a week. It’s very different percentage in 27 games, and new Toronto
in your mindset and how you take care of coach Craig Berube noted that both Woll
your body, and it was great seeing glimpses and Stolarz will likely play more games this
of that to look at where I fell short or wasn’t season than they did last year. The mission
doing what I needed to at the time. Those is to make a deep playoff run and go for a
things are only granted through experience. championship this season, and while the
Having the aspiration to be a starting goalie Maple Leafs say achieving that goal will be
is a different animal than being in the AHL a process that builds throughout the cam-
or only playing now and then.” paign, their sights are set high.
Woll’s dedication to improvement is evi- And if Woll can get Toronto to the top
dent to his teammates. “Joe’s been great for of the mountain in the NHL, his future trip
us, and I know he had a great off-season,” to the Himalayas will seem like a walk in
said defenseman Morgan Rielly. “He’s a big the park.

THE GO ALI E I SS U E THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 35 |

 YAROSLAV ASKAROV

DAVID KIROUAC-USATODAY SPORTS

THE TRADE TO THE SHARKS GIVES YAROSLAV ASKAROV EXACTLY WHAT THE
PROMISING YOUNG NETMINDER HAS ALWAYS WANTED – THE CHANCE TO SHOW
HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A STARTING GOALIE IN THE NHL BY JARED CLINTON
| 36 | THE H OC KEY N EW S T H E GO AL IE ISSU E
 integral to the Sharks’ decision play any sports at a high level without play-
to pull the trigger was the posi- ing with emotion and fire.”
tive feedback from San Jose’s But Askarov has lacked consistency. In
resident crease experts, headed his two AHL seasons, he’s been among
up by director of goaltending the league’s top netminders, appearing in
Evgeni Nabokov. And if anyone the All-Star Game in both campaigns. He’s
knows a thing or two about be- racked up 56 wins and nine shutouts in 92
ing a young Russian kid standing regular-season outings on the farm. But
in the blue paint for the Sharks, Askarov also fumbled his starting gig in con-
it’s Nabokov, who arrived in San secutive post-seasons, and he has posted a
Jose in 2000 as a 24-year-old combined .897 save percentage and 2.85
and spent the next decade as the goals-against average in the playoffs.
franchise’s starting goalie. Few will begrudge a goalie of Askarov’s
When it comes to Askarov, age for not being a finished product, though,
though, Nabokov is quick to tem- and the Sharks signing him to a two-year,
per expectations. “Everybody $4-million extension shortly after his ar-
has their own route
to the NHL,” Nabo-
kov said. “Some kids
adapt really quickly;
some kids not. And to
be honest with you, I
don’t know yet.”
Don’t take that to
mean Nabokov isn’t
bullish on Askarov’s
T’S ONE THING TO see the writing ability. The former Sharks stop-
on the wall. It’s another to see your per has had an eye on his com-
future spelled out in flashing neon patriot since Askarov was a
lights. And when Juuse Saros signed teenager, and Nabokov sees the
a mega-money extension with the same attributes as all who’ve
Nashville Predators in July, followed watched Askarov: the size,
not long after by the Preds’ signing of vet- the athleticism and the ability
eran second-stringer Scott Wedgewood, to read and stay ahead of the
upstart keeper Yaroslav Askarov couldn’t play. Nabokov also noted that
ignore what was staring him in the face: a Askarov’s footwork and quick-
gargantuan sign letting him know that his ness is a step ahead of his peers.
hope of becoming an NHL No. 1 wasn’t go- However, despite Askarov’s
ing to happen in Music City. abundant talent, Nabokov
By all accounts, of course, this wasn’t how doesn’t want the Sharks to just
it was supposed to happen. Drafted 11th hand the reins to the newcomer.
overall in 2020, Askarov was – and still is – “For us, what’s important is that
considered one of the top goaltending pros- he has to earn it,” Nabokov said.
TOP: DAVID KIROUAC-USA TODAY SPORTS; RIGHT: DAVE KALLMANN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

pects in the world. He seemed destined to “That’s huge for us. It’s not all
be shepherded into the top job in Nashville, about how your structure is or
much like Saros had been by Predators icon your technique is. It’s more than
Pekka Rinne. But with Askarov’s path to the that. With a No. 1 goaltender, it’s
NHL blocked by Saros’ new long-term deal, always the mental part of the THE PUCK rival is an indication that while
he wanted a fresh start. He wanted a chance. game, the emotional part of the STOPS HERE they believe in his ability, they
And in August, after a month of rumors game, how you handle so many The Sharks have high aren’t hitching their wagon to
and trade chatter, Askarov got it. different things. Because if you hopes for Askarov, but him quite yet.
Days after reports surfaced Askarov had want to be special, if you want to he has to earn the No. 1 All that means is that
asked for a trade out of Nashville, the San be that No. 1 goalie, it takes more job; they’re not simply Askarov, with the Sharks in
Jose Sharks scooped up the 22-year-old than just being talented.” going to hand it to him. the nascent stages of a full-
netminder in a swap that GM Mike Grier If there has been any criti- scale rebuild, will have room to
said was a golden opportunity for his fran- cism of Askarov, it’s been the intangibles. grow. He’ll be given time to develop, to slip,
chise. “We’re very confident that he’s going But don’t misconstrue that as a knock to stumble. He’ll even, according to Grier, ac-
to be a No. 1,” Grier said. “You don’t have too against his personality. His bench-pressing cept more time in the AHL if need be, which
many chances to add players of this caliber celebration after shootout wins in the AHL was reportedly a sticking point for Askarov
in this position. It’s the hardest position to isn’t an issue, nor is the edge he has to his prior to moving to San Jose. And then, when
draft and develop and find, and to be able game. “It’s a competitive sport, and we the time comes, it will be up to Askarov to
to get someone like this and add him to our want guys who compete hard every night, prove he can be the No. 1 he believes he
group, we’re really excited.” play with emotion and play with fire,” Grier can be. “For me, it’s all about how bad do
Not that Grier needed much cajoling to said. “Obviously, you have to reel it in and you want it,” Nabokov said. “That’s what it
add a prospect as coveted as Askarov, but harness it in the right way, but it’s hard to comes down to.”

THE GO ALI E I SS UE THE HOC K EY NE W S | 37 |

 CHARLIE LINDGREN

| 38 | T HE HO CKE Y NE W S TH E GOA L IE ISSUE

 IT’S NOT OFTEN
A 30-YEAR-OLD
GOALIE BURSTS
ONTO THE NHL
SCENE. BUT CHARLIE
LINDGREN FINALLY
GOT THE CHANCE
TO BE A NO. 1
NETMINDER LAST
SEASON, AND
HE REPAID THE
CAPITALS WITH
A BREAKTHROUGH
PERFORMANCE
BY BEN RABY
F ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COULD
produce a model for an elite NHL
goalie, Charlie Lindgren wouldn’t be
the prototype. Even Lindgren admits
as much. He knows his resume: un-
drafted out of college, followed by six
years spent mostly in the minors. Lindgren
readily concedes he’s neither the most natu-
rally talented nor the biggest goalie in the
world. Yet, try telling him he can’t hang with
the NHL’s best at your peril.
“My ceiling? I believe I can be a top guy
in this league,” said Lindgren before the
season.
If you chat with him at length about his
career, there is plenty of deflection – his
family, coaches, teammates, trainers and
specialists are really the ones who made it
all possible, according to Lindgren. Thank-
ing others comes naturally for the native of
Lakeville, Minn. One former teammate sug-
SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

gested Lindgren could be the mustached

face of ‘Minnesota Nice’ and is, at times,
humble to a fault.
But excuse the 30-year-old for breaking
character to laud himself for his coming-out
party in 2023-24. After spending the vast
majority of his first six pro seasons in the
AHL before serving as a backup in his first

THE G OA LI E I SS UE THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 39 |

 CHARLIE LINDGREN

year in Washington, Lindgren NEW YEAR’S stakes grew higher. Along the better myself. I wasn’t playing any games. At
finally broke through as an NHL REVELATION way, he carried the load down that point, the well was running dry.”
starter last year. No NHL goaltender the stretch, starting 19 of A fresh start came with a one-year, two-
“It was definitely the most played more games Washington’s final 22 games way deal from St. Louis for 2021-22. Lind-
fun I’ve had playing since col- than Lindgren from and helping the Capitals se- gren was recruited primarily to serve as a
lege,” he said. “It was my favor- mid-January onward cure an improbable playoff mentor for Blues prospect Joel Hofer in AHL
ite year of pro hockey, probably last season. berth with a win in the season Springfield, but he ultimately revived his
the best I felt in my life in terms finale. “Playing a lot and play- own NHL aspirations.
of what I was doing on the ice. I got in a re- ing like a true starter was something I didn’t Under the tutelage of Blues goalie coach
ally good rhythm and had a chance to take take lightly,” said Lindgren, who at 6-foot- Dave Alexander, Lindgren polished his game
the ball and run with it.” 2 and 180 pounds, is marginally slight for with technical improvements. Lindgren ad-
Lindgren’s ascent began organically an NHL goalie. “Obviously, my journey has mits that early in his career, he relied on
enough. Injuries to Darcy Kuemper in the been long, and there have been times where instincts and raw athletic ability to make
first half opened the door for Lindgren to maybe it was frustrating. I’ve faced a good saves, sometimes unconventionally. Starting
earn regular playing time. Shutouts over amount of adversity in my career. But it all with the Blues, he’s worked on implement-
the defending Stanley Cup-champion Vegas led me to this moment. It was something ing a narrower stance, which allows him to
Golden Knights and his brother Ryan Lind- that was very special.” be more positionally sound and leaves him
gren’s New York Rangers were early state- To Lindgren’s point, his career hasn’t better equipped to read plays off the rush.
ments. As the sample size grew, so did the exactly been linear since signing with the In Washington, he’s prioritized improved
Capitals’ trust in the goalie they affection- Montreal Canadiens after his junior year puck-tracking while trusting a quick glove
ately call ‘Chucky.’ at St. Cloud State in 2016. His five seasons hand that he frequently uses across his body
“For many pockets of the year, he was in the Habs’ organization were primarily to snatch pucks on his blocker side and kill
among the best,” said Capitals goalie coach spent with their AHL affiliate, with only oc- plays or rebound opportunities.
JAMES CAREY LAUDER-USA TODAY SPORTS

Scott Murray. “He has a very strong mental- casional NHL recalls. When he finally had “With St. Louis, they built some struc-
ity, and he put his head down and found that a lengthy stay with the Canadiens, it came ture in his game and foundational pieces
competitive spirit to push through.” as a taxi-squad goalie during the pandemic- he could rely on along with the natural in-
By season’s end, Lindgren had career abbreviated 2020-21 season. stincts he has to be a puckstopper,” Murray
highs across the board: 25 wins in 48 “I got frustrated towards the end there,” said. “His game as he came up wasn’t neces-
starts and tied for the league lead with six Lindgren said. “It wasn’t easy. Carey (Price) sarily cookie-cutter, so adding some founda-
shutouts. A workhorse as the NHL’s most and (Jake) Allen were in the nets, taking all tional pieces allowed him to grow and have
frequently deployed goalie from Jan. 16 the reps, and I’d be on the sheet just trying a good season with Springfield, and when he
onward, Lindgren elevated his play as the to find ice to be able to move around and got in with St. Louis, he made the most of it.”

| 40 | THE HOC KEY N E WS T H E G OA LI E ISSUE

 Lindgren went 5-0-0 during a cameo Carbery was hired as Capitals coach in the competitor or battler traits, I wouldn’t be
with the Blues in December 2021, posting spring of 2023. Lindgren told Carbery that here today,” Lindgren said. “There are a lot
a 1.22 goals-against average and .958 save he had used his first year in Washington to of guys who can rely on talent and skill and
percentage. The Capitals took notice and, on get his foot in the door as a full-time NHL size. That’s not me. But my compete and my
the same day they signed Kuemper to a five- backup. In Year 2, Lindgren said, he planned will to win, I pride myself on having that
year deal averaging $5.25 million per sea- to blow the door open. among the best.”
son, Lindgren inked a three-year pact with a “He’s such an easy guy to root for because Bob Motzko, Lindgren’s coach at St. Cloud
$1.1-million AAV. For the Caps, it was a cost- he’s such a quality person,” Carbery said. State for three years, saw those traits first-
efficient signing. For Lindgren, it was the “He works so hard, and all he cares about is hand. “He was a tough-minded kid when we
multi-year, one-way contract he yearned for. the team doing well. Any time that comes off had him,” Motzko said. “Just a mean compet-
“Washington seemed like a really good as genuine and your teammates recognize it itor. It’s not surprising that whatever was in
fit,” he said. “Knowing (fellow St. Cloud State and they’re around it, it’s easy to see why front of him along his journey, he was going
alums) Nic Dowd and Nick Jensen and see- guys really pull for him and have so much to battle through it and be ready for an op-
ing them over the years and how they talked respect for him.” portunity when it came his way. Mental ups

HE GIVES ME BRADEN HOLTBY VIBES OF STAYING

INVOLVED IN PLAYS AND MAKING SAVES ON PLAYS
HE HAS NO BUSINESS MAKING – CAPITALS TV ANALYST KARL ALZNER
about D.C. and being a Capital, that gave me There’s an underdog appeal to Lindgren, and downs weren’t going to stop him. He
a ton of reasons to come here. My first two who coaches and teammates laud for his was going to battle through.”
years, I can’t say enough good things.” work ethic and competitiveness. “He gives Lindgren’s compete level and work ethic
While Lindgren’s breakthrough season me (Braden) Holtby vibes of staying in- have also been complemented by more re-
caught many by surprise, he never doubt- volved in plays and making saves he has no sources. In the summer of 2023, before his
ed his ability to carry the load. He shared business making,” said retired defenseman breakthrough season, Lindgren put a great-
the belief with Spencer Carbery soon after Karl Alzner, who played with Lindgren in er emphasis on body fluidity. He cut back
Montreal and is now an analyst on heavy weightlifting and hired mobil-
on Caps telecasts. “He’s con- ity coach Grace Witthuhn in Minnesota. He
stantly giving that extra effort again worked with Witthuhn this summer
where, a lot of times, you could while visiting a new chiropractor and physi-
pack it in.” cal therapist. Strengthening his core after
Lindgren also brings a unique missing a couple of weeks early last season
personality. After wins last sea- with a lower-back issue was a priority. “I tell
son, the victory song that played people all the time, when I look back on my
in the dressing room was a cov- career, one thing I know I’ll be able to say is
er that Lindgren recorded him- I didn’t have any regrets, and I didn’t waste
self of Eric Church’s Talladega, any days,” he said. “I want to be the best ver-
with Lindgren providing vocals sion of myself I can be, and I’m going to give
and playing guitar. myself every chance to do that.”
“Chucky has come a long Now, as he enters a contract year, Lind-
way,” said Dowd, a college team- gren may be leaned on even more. The
mate of Lindgren’s in 2013-14. summer trades that sent Kuemper to Los
“Without even knowing it, he’s Angeles and saw Logan Thompson arrive
become a leader.” in Washington leave Lindgren as the Caps’
Added Carbery: “He carries a most experienced goalie. While Lindgren
lot of weight in our room.” and Thompson – who had 42 starts last
Lindgren credits his parents year with Vegas – will compete for playing
for instilling his blue-collar time, there’s an organizational belief Lind-
work ethic at a young age. His gren’s play last year has earned him a longer
father, Bob, a one-time colle- leash. Lindgren isn’t shying away from the
giate goalie at Michigan, had challenge of replicating last year’s success.
Lindgren in pads by 10. The “As far as recapturing it, I think experi-
oldest of three boys, Lindgren ence helps a lot,” he said. “This is my ninth
BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS

had plenty of competition at season as a pro. Playing a lot last year, that’s
home. But it was on the ice as going to springboard me. That gives me a
he navigated high school and ton of confidence right off the bat that I can
CHARLIE LINDGREN college where his mental make- play at a high level. So, I’m excited. Definite-
& ALEX OVECHKIN
up and compete level stuck out ly felt like I made a name for myself, and I
the most. “If I didn’t have my want to continue to do that.”

THE G OA LIE I SSU E THE HO CK EY NE W S | 41 |

 UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN

| 42 | THE HO C KE Y NE WS T H E GO AL IE ISSUE
 ‘WHEN THE PUCK DROPS, ALL
THAT MATTERS IS WINNING.’
THE CHALLENGE IS SIMPLE FOR
UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN: LEAD
THE LONG-STRUGGLING SABRES
INTO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST
TIME SINCE 2011 BY RYAN KENNEDY

N A SUNNY AUTUMN afternoon in Buffalo, Sabres fans

eschewed the outside warmth in favor of the cold grasp
of LECOM Harborcenter, where the franchise’s prospects
were dominating their peers from the Columbus Blue
Jackets system as part of an annual rookie tournament.
As the Buffalo faithful high-fived in celebration of Jiri Ku-
lich’s latest snipe, members of the here-and-now Sabres were getting
in a skate before training camp at KeyBank Center, the NHL arena
conveniently connected to LECOM by a pedestrian bridge. Among
the skaters was Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the 25-year-old goalten-
der who has positioned himself as Buffalo’s best hope between the
pipes as the Sabres attempt to make the playoffs for the first time
since 2011. Coming off career-best totals of 54 games, 27 wins and
a 2.57 goals-against average, the towering goalie known as ‘UPL’
was far from the weak link on last year’s Sabres team, which felt
like it could’ve broken through for a post-season slot in the Atlantic.
Instead, it was a combination of injuries to key players and a slow
start – prefaced by what felt like a misstep in forcing prospect goalie
Devon Levi into an early starter’s role – that doomed Buffalo.
But there is reason to believe the Sabres can exorcise their de-
mons. Lindy Ruff, who guided the franchise to its most recent Stanley
SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

Cup final way back in 1999, is back behind the bench, replacing Don
Granato – a fantastic development teacher of a coach who unfortu-
nately couldn’t get the team enough wins in the end. “Everybody’s
really excited that we have Lindy here now,” Luukkonen said. “Donny
pushed us and helped a lot of players get to another level, but now
getting a new coach and everybody knowing what the goal is, we
want to be more ready for the season. We know how important this
season is. I’m really excited, and everybody else is, too.”

T HE GOA LI E I SS UE THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 43 |

 UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN

For the most part, Buffalo

will have to rely on internal I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY HAS A
CHIP ON THEIR SHOULDERS. EVEN
growth (and health) to improve,
though off-season additions Ryan
McLeod, Sam Lafferty and Beck
Malenstyn will fortify the bottom
six up front. A full season of Bow-
en Byram – acquired before the
THOUGH I PERSONALLY HAD A
2024 trade deadline from Colora-
do – will elevate the blueline. But GOOD YEAR LAST SEASON, IT
DOESN’T MATTER – UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN

MARC DESROSIERS-USA TODAY SPORTS

enough about the Sabres on pa-
per; they know they have to prove
their worth on the ice. “I feel like everybody
has a chip on their shoulders,” Luukkonen
said. “Even though I personally had a good 5, 215-pound Finn went back to Helsinki, his game on the ice. “It’s always good to go
year last season, it doesn’t matter how well where he spent time with family and friends back home and work on the game,” he said.
you do yourself. In the end, all that matters at cabins, taking in the famous Finnish sau- “There’s always details you can smooth out.
is how well the team does. It’s a passionate nas while also golfing and swimming in Just focusing on how important patience is.
sports city, and everybody feels that. We lakes. When it was business time, he honed And my stance, being more balanced on my
want to make the playoffs,
but the more important thing
is to start well. That was the
problem last year. We were
sliding from the start.”
The Sabres made sure to
give Luukkonen a big vote of
confidence as they head into
this crucial campaign, and
it came during the summer
in the form of a new five-
year contract with a $4.75-
million annual cap hit. With
new backup James Reimer
making $1 million on a one-
year pact, and Levi and Fe-
lix Sandstrom making even
less, it is Luukkonen’s crease
to lose. “Taking a deep dive
with goaltending coach Mike
Bales, to the analytics, to
looking at everything, gave
me comfort that he’s still get-
ting better,” said Sabres GM
Kevyn Adams. “When you
make a long-term commit-
ment to a player, you really
want to feel confident that
they still have room to grow
and get better, and we felt
that ‘UPL’ took a big step last
year, but he has an opportu-
nity to continue to grow and
get better and better. I just
think he showed a maturity
about him last year, a calm-
ness, and it takes time. Espe-
cially as a young goaltender,
to get to that spot where you
believe every time you step
on the ice that you can win
hockey games.”
For his part, Luukkonen
spent the summer both re-
charging and continuing to
push his game. The 6-foot-

| 44 | THE H OCK EY NE W S T HE GO AL IE I SSU E

 feet, keeping my chest more upright, find- the guy at the other end. Being a
ing more power from there. And, of course, goalie, you try to be somewhat of
getting stronger in my legs and core so I can a friend because you know how
move better and be faster on the ice.” it is to be a goalie, but when the
Should the Sabres manage to finally end puck drops, all that matters is
their playoff drought, goaltending will be winning. It’s great having that
key in a stacked Atlantic Division. Not only competition in the division.”
does the Atlantic boast top scorers such Just how many starts Luuk-
as Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak and konen can earn against those
Nikita Kucherov, but many of Buffalo’s ri- friendly foes this season re-
vals have excellent goalies of their own, mains to be seen. Ruff and Ad-
including Andrei Vasilevskiy, ams agreed that it
DEEP takes more than
BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS

Linus Ullmark (now in Ottawa),

Sergei Bobrovsky and Jeremy ATLANTIC one netminder to
Swayman. For Luukkonen, he The Sabres’ quest be successful in to-
doesn’t mind the competition. to crack the playoffs day’s NHL, though
“It’s great to see all the great means holding their it’s worth noting
goalies,” he said. “Every night, own in a division with that if Levi needs
you have to perform and beat plenty of star power. starts, the AHL may
be the best place for
him to do so at the
moment. Reimer is
a capable backup at
this point in his ca-
reer, so there are op-
tions to make sure
Luukkonen doesn’t
burn out. “It’s really
a two-goalie league
now,” Adams said. “And, to be of the Sabres feels deeper than the fran-
quite honest, that’s why I feel chise has seen in a long time.
good about the depth we added In the meantime, Luukkonen has found
in the off-season with Reimer a second home in Buffalo. “The more time
and Sandstrom. You could need I’ve spent here, the more I like it,” he said.
three, and we’ve been in a po- “For a Finnish guy, it feels kind of like home,
sition where we needed four. I not only weather-wise, but also it’s not too

WE FELT THAT ‘UPL’ TOOK

A BIG STEP LAST YEAR, BUT
HE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND
GET BETTER AND BETTER
– SABRES GM KEVYN ADAMS
think we’re set up with depth, big of a city. Everybody is really friendly,
which I think is really helpful, and I’ve gotten to know some people out-
but we’ll monitor it.” side of hockey, too.”
Needless to say, the Sabres He cheers for the NFL’s Bills and gets
know their fans have been far out to games when he can, so Luukkonen
beyond patient when it comes knows what it’s like when things are good
to the team’s lack of success. for a sports team in Buffalo. The challenge
That goalie depth is one way of now is to get those good vibes going on the
ensuring that no scenario is left ice and keep them going until the city is
unprotected. And while injuries again warm enough for short sleeves – and
can’t be forecast, this iteration hot for some Stanley Cup playoff action.

THE GOA LI E I SS UE THE HOCK E Y NE W S | 45 |

 IT WASN’T SO LONG AGO GOALTENDERS HAD TO RACE TO THE BENCH
BETWEEN WHISTLES TO GET A DRINK. BUT THEN CAME A RADICAL ACT –
PUTTING A WATER BOTTLE ON TOP OF THE NET BY AL DANIEL

was an additional urge to

refuel amid the action itself,
and up to that point, his only
recourse was to hustle to the
bench between plays and
borrow a water bottle.
The solution of storing his
water bottle on top of the
net for limitless, short-order
fixes was equal parts simple
and radical. Upon spotting
the novel tactic, the referee
approached Gordon to ques-
tion him.
“I need to have something
to drink during the play,” Gor-
don said, “and I can’t go to the
bench every whistle.”
His explanation sufficed,
and while the Badgers be-
sieged Gordon with what he
VER THE FIRST WEEKEND of his system and invited discomfort by game- called “an abnormal amount of shots,” he
1985, Scott Gordon launched time. “Nothing was stopping it,” he said. backstopped BC to 5-2 and 6-2 victories.
perhaps the most consequen- Coming off college hockey’s multi-week Results aside, nothing was stopping this
tial goaltending revolution this mid-season break for term finals and holi- custom. Today, uninformed millennials and
side of Jacques Plante’s first day respites, he only felt more out of synch Gen Zers may assume that the most physi-
SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS

mask. And all because his Bos- when trying to restore his rhythm. And over cally taxing and isolating position in team
ton College athletic trainer pre- a three-game homestand at the end of the sports always came with an arm’s reach ac-
scribed an incidental New Year’s resolution. 1984 calendar year, BC went 2-0-1 but sur- cess to hydration.
These days, Gordon still takes magnesium rendered 16 goals. That assumption may equal the way Gen
to prevent cramping. Back then, he adhered When the Eagles went to Wisconsin for a Xers and boomers couldn’t fathom taking
to a then-uncontested myth that any liquid post-New Year’s series, Gordon followed the to the crease without facial protection. Gor-
provided hydration. By indulging in diet trainer’s directive to increase his water and don took that for granted so much, he ranks
soda between on-ice sessions, he parched Gatorade intake before games. But there his happenstance game-changer ahead of

| 46 | THE HOC K EY NE WS T H E GO AL IE ISSUE

 GOOD TO THE Plante’s. “For me, – who represent the NHL’s coldest locale – Terreri said, “so I probably would have
LAST DROP it was No. 1, be- scoffing at the need. melted away without it.”
Florida’s Sergei cause as I got older, Those Oilers were, incidentally, the last Instead, after Gordon blinked in each
Bobrovsky sends a it got harder to dynasty defined by overwhelming firepow- staring contest – by scores of 2-1 and 4-3
geyser of water into get through games er. Has the subsequent universal acceptance – Terreri claimed the most-outstanding-
the air during a break without cramping,” of on-demand hydration for goaltenders player titles in the conference and national
in play. he said. helped to douse that phenomenon for good? tournaments.
As his con- “I think it’s certainly a small part of it,” The increased workloads and venue siz-
temporaries and successors have proved, said Chris Terreri, a 406-game NHL veteran es from campus to AHL to NHL previewed
fulfilling a shift without exposing some id- who benefitted from New Jersey’s trap sys- what both men confronted when they
iosyncrasies is similarly tough. Just as the tem in the 1990s. turned pro. “The buildings are warmer, the
permanent advent of masks opened the He added that goalies and their equip- pressure and stress are a little bit higher,
floodgates for self-expression, solo water ment have bulked up while shooters have and I was a person that can sweat anywhere
bottles unveil other personality traits. grown stronger and sharper. “Every little from 12 to 15 pounds a game,” Gordon said.
Throughout the 2010s, Braden Holtby bit, every little edge you get, you try to keep “It eventually catches up to you.”
was an attention magnet for preceding the it,” he said. It also came back around for him to see
opening faceoff by setting off a geyser and In mid-March 1985, the new edge for from behind the bench. On May 9, 2018,
gazing at his work. It was a way of resetting netminders was balanced at the Providence Gordon coached the victorious Lehigh Val-
himself between plays, and the habit spread Civic Center. The Hockey East champion- ley Phantoms in the AHL’s longest-ever
to other netminders. “It’s like they’re track- ship between Gordon’s Eagles and Terreri’s playoff game. Alex Lyon repelled all but
ing the puck,” Gordon said, “(but) they’re Providence Friars presented the first popu- one of the Charlotte Checkers’ 95 shots in
tracking the drops of water.” larly documented case of both goalies stor- 146 minutes and 48 seconds of action. But

Gordon started
stocking his NCAA net
with a water bottle in
January 1985. Others
soon followed suit.
GORDON: PHOTO COURTESY OF BOSTON COLLEGE; TERRERI: PHOTO COURTESY OF PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

In another sense, goaltenders can re- ing water behind their backs. GOALIE sympathy for the skaters was
baptize themselves to expel the demons “It’s kind of funny, I guess,” DROUGHT equally warranted. “Their legs
after surrendering a soft goal. Even without said Terreri of that aspect of his As a 140-pound goalie were tightening,” Gordon said.
physical thirst, they crave a literal palate legacy. “It’s better than being in his college days, “Players had to miss shifts.”
cleanser to rinse away the setback’s figura- remembered for giving up a lot Terreri says he would As for the two generations
tive vinegar. of bad goals.” have “melted away” of goalies, there were no you-
“It has a few other purposes,” Gordon As it happened, the Eagles- without a water bottle. kids-don’t-know-the-half-of-it
said. “But by and large, it’s mostly just for Friars contest that night and lectures. “We were just happy
hydration.” another two weeks later in the NCAA semifi- to have won the game,” Gordon said.
After that purpose first prompted the nal at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena were signifi- He emits the same typical hockey hu-
practice in the winter of 1985, it grew more cantly lower-scoring than most other games mility when assessing his role in history,
acute by spring. That year’s NHL post- in that post-season. More crucially, the wa- deflecting the credit to the metaphorical
season stretched to May 30 for the first ter’s benefits arrived amid intensifying ele- mother of invention.
time, and the finalist Philadelphia Flyers ments. The conference title game required “I was part of it,” Gordon said, “but it
wanted some mercy for their keepers. One two overtimes, and the rematch took a third wasn’t like I was trying to create something
dispatch from that series by the Los Angeles bonus period. or be an innovator. It just happened out of
Times had the opposing Edmonton Oilers “I probably weighed about 140 pounds,” necessity.”

T HE GOA LI E I SS U E T HE HOCK E Y NE W S | 47 |
 FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE COVERAGE, VISIT THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM
50 NICK SUZUKI: TWO-WAY WONDERFUL 52 JACCOB SLAVIN: POWERED BY A HIGHER POWER
54 TAYLOR HALL: GUIDE TO THE STARS 56 JOEY DACCORD: ‘THE MAYOR’ MAKES GOOD

FLORIDA PANTHERS have a representative from Richard (six). And don’t forget
the reigning Stanley Cup one Cup ring for each hand.

LOOK FOR CARTER

champions on its roster. The man they call ‘Swaggy’ is
Higher-profile players are clutch.
in the mix, but how many can But while it’s
match Verhaeghe’s highlight all sunshine now

IN THE CLUTCH
reel? Game 7 overtime goal in South Florida,
against Boston to cap off there were many
Florida’s first-round come- dark days along
back from 3-1 down in 2023? the way.
Check. First goal in Game 7 of Drafted by Toronto in the
Carter Verhaeghe’s aptitude for producing in the big moments the 2024 Stanley Cup final? third round in 2013, Verhaeghe
Yep, he did that, too. And the bounced around the minors for
has been a pivotal reason for the Panthers’ success, and it could primary assist on Sam Rein- four years before playing his
land him a spot on Team Canada BY CAROL SCHRAM hart’s Cup-winning goal? Yes, first NHL game at 24 with the
he can dish as well as snipe. Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.

I
T’S NO SECRET THAT Doug memories. “Playing for Canada In just four years, Verhaeghe Less than a year after his big-
Armstrong has a nearly im- would be a cool thing,” Verhae- has become Florida’s franchise league debut, Verhaeghe hoist-
possible task ahead of him ghe said. “I’ve done it once, at leader with 26 playoff goals. ed the Stanley Cup inside the
in setting Team Canada’s the U-18s. That’s definitely an- He’s second only to Barkov bubble at Rogers Place in Ed-
PERRY NELSON-USA TODAY SPORTS

star-laden roster for this Febru- other thing that you’re thinking in post-season points. His 10 monton. The pandemic festivi-
ary’s 4 Nations Face-Off. about as a kid growing up.” game-winning playoff goals ties were limited to a skeleton
Over the past five seasons, With Florida’s Aleksander over the past three seasons are crew, but Verhaeghe’s father,
Carter Verhaeghe has turned Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and four more than any other player Thomas, travelled from Water-
nearly every childhood street- Gustav Forsling each on the 4 league-wide. And his five play- down, Ont., and went through
hockey fantasy into reality. He Nations’ first-six lists for their off overtime winners tie him for the quarantine process in order
would love to add a Team Can- respective countries, Canada is third-most all-time, behind only to share that unique moment
ada experience to that box of the only team that does not yet Joe Sakic (eight) and Maurice with his son.

| 48 | THE HO CK E Y N EWS T H E GO A LIE ISSU E

 NHL

Back in Sunrise, after a two-

point night and a 2-1 win, Ver-
haeghe celebrated his second
Cup with family, friends and a
South Florida fan base that has
come to love its puck. “When
I first got here, I wouldn’t get
recognized anywhere,” he said.
“But now, it seems like there’s
hockey fans all over the place.
There are so many people that
are new to the game, and I think
it’s huge, especially going to the
final for two years in a row. It’s
really become a hockey town.”
During the playoffs, wedding
planning was also in progress.
On July 27, at the Four Seasons
Palm Beach, Verhaeghe mar-
ried Casey Engleson, a Florid-
ian he met after joining the
Panthers. And while his second
day with the Cup back in Water-
down was an encore opportu-
nity to embrace the community
where he grew up, the couple’s
Fort Lauderdale beach-area
residence is now the place they
WORKING OVERTIME call home.
Verhaeghe has scored more playoff Verhaeghe’s path with the
OT goals than all but two players Panthers neatly fits the script
in NHL history – Sakic and Richard. that team president Matt
Caldwell laid out when describ-
ing the club’s goal of becom-
ing a destination franchise.
When free agency opened “That means it’s a place where
11 days later, new Florida GM people want to live, they want
Bill Zito made Verhaeghe one to build their families, want to
of his first signings. It was the be in these communities like
left winger’s first one-way deal, South Florida,” Caldwell said.
on a two-year term that offered “At the same time, be part of a
some security. But he wasn’t very first-class, top-tier hockey
ready to immediately cut ties operation that has traditions,
with his Lightning teammates. “I wins and that’s committed to
remember signing the contract,” win the Stanley Cup.”
he said, “then going to celebrate Verhaeghe says that his im-
with the Cup on a boat.” pressive career arc has come
The Sunshine State rivalry from sticking with the process
has intensified as the Panthers and maintaining his self-belief.
have improved, but the two or- As he plays out the final year of
ganizations operate like com- his contract, he hopes his next
petitive siblings, each striving deal will keep him in the mar-
for the upper hand while work- The Panthers took another Tkachuk and coach Paul Mau- ket where he’s had so much
ing together to grow the game. step in 2021-22, winning the rice for 2022-23 elevated the success and begun to put down
In 2021, the Bolts’ big-broth- Presidents’ Trophy for the first Panthers to another level. Ver- roots. He believes he still has
er status held firm as they cap- time. Verhaeghe became one of haeghe exploded for 42 goals, even more to give. “I always
tured another Cup. On the other the league’s best-value players, then added 17 playoff points knew I was a really good play-
DAVID KIROUAC-USA TODAY SPORTS

side, Verhaeghe flourished. He hitting career highs of 24 goals on a gruelling journey to the er and could be a really good
approached a point per game in and 55 points. Six more goals Cup final. He followed that up player,” he said. “I still feel the
the regular season while play- came in the playoffs, including with 11 goals and 21 points in same way, that I haven’t exactly
ing top-six minutes. And when three straight game-winners as the 2024 playoffs. Ultimately, reached my potential yet.”
the two sides met in the first the Panthers eliminated Wash- he found himself right back in If he does raise his game
round of the playoffs, Verhaeghe ington for their first playoff Edmonton – this time playing even more, realizing that child-
logged his first two playoff goals series win since 1996. to capacity crowds as the Oilers hood dream of donning the
– with many more to come. The arrivals of Matthew pushed the final to a Game 7. maple leaf is a real possibility.

THE GO ALI E I SS U E THE HOC K E Y NE W S | 49 |

 NHL

MR. EVERYTHING
The Habs rely on Suzuki to do it all:
score, shut down opponents, anchor
the power play and kill penalties.

and 77 points last season. He

finished tied for 30th overall
in the scoring race. But among
centers, only six – Auston Mat-
thews, Leon Draisaitl, J.T. Miller,
Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos
and Sebastian Aho – had more
goals, more points and a bet-
ter faceoff percentage than the
25-year-old. “I thought it was
pretty good,” he said. “Each
year, I’m trying to get better.
Last year, I was really able to
take both sides of the game
where I wanted to be and keep
growing in those positions. I
think I can keep getting better.”
The Habs, who had the worst
record in the Atlantic Division
last year, hope to take a similar
step forward. With 2022 No. 1
overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky
coming off a breakout 20-
goal season and the cupboard
stocked with top-end pros-
pects such as David Reinbach-
er, Ivan Demidov and Michael
Hage, Suzuki is done talking
rebuild. “Personally, I feel like
you can’t just keep stockpiling
prospects,” he said. “At some
ing fluent in French. As most point, not every prospect that
MONTREAL CANADIENS you draft is going to turn into
Quebecois will tell you, they
appreciate the attempt. And probably what you thought of

TWO-WAY THREAT,
Suzuki, who has shot multiple him. Not everyone makes the
commercials in team. The guys that do, it’s our
his not-so-native job to keep getting better.”
tongue, is doing To that end, GM Kent Hughes

TWO WAYS
everything he can sent a strong message to his
to fit in and win team this summer when he
over fans as he enters his sixth acquired Patrik Laine from Co-
year in La Belle Province. “My lumbus. In Laine, the Canadiens
French is actually pretty good,” have a player with 50-goal po-
Whether it’s language or on the ice, Montreal’s Nick Suzuki Suzuki said at September’s tential. It’s now up to coach
is making every effort to be a versatile leader BY MICHAEL TRAIKOS NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour Martin St-Louis, along with Su-
in Las Vegas, while Machabee zuki, to bring out that potential

G
IVE NICK SUZUKI CREDIT. setting off an accidental chain smiled from a seat over. “Obvi- after some difficult years for the
At least he’s making reaction of panic throughout ously, it’s tough to have a con- 2016 draft’s No. 2 overall pick.
an effort. Still, confus- the restaurant that made its versation. I’m not quite there “I was excited to get him on
ing the French word for way to the drive-thru window, yet. They speak pretty fast.” the team,” Suzuki said. “Getting
DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS

“change” with “trade” caused a where Habs PR director, Chan- Entering his third year as Patty kind of solidifies our top
kerfuffle when the Montreal Ca- tal Machabee, happened to be captain, Suzuki is proving to be a six and puts guys in positions
nadiens captain tried explain- placing her order. quick learner. Known more as a to succeed, whether that be on
ing to a Tim Hortons employee “Quoi?!?” asked Machabee. two-way center who can match the third or fourth line. I think
that he no longer wanted his It was all part of a commer- up against the other team’s best we’ll have four really good lines
usual drink. cial, both poking fun – and players, Suzuki showed he’s a at forward and a lot of depth.”
“What? Suzuki was traded!’” praising – the young captain’s handful for defenders as well, Unfortunately for Suzuki
the employee said in French, ongoing journey to becom- scoring a career-best 33 goals and the Habs, that new scor-

| 50 | THE HOC KEY N E WS T H E GO AL IE ISSUE

 ATLANTIC DIVISION
GOALTENDING FUTURE BY JARED CLINTON
ing depth will be delayed after killing and playing less min-
Laine sustained a knee injury utes, that’s fine with me. Ob-
in the pre-season that will keep viously, the forwards who are
him out until at least December. already on the team are really With Jeremy Swayman as the Bruins’ long-term No. 1 and new arrival
Joonas Korpisalo locked up for another four years, the outlook for
In the meantime, Suzuki high-end, so if I make the team, BRANDON BUSSI isn’t rosy at the moment. But don’t write off the
will continue to be one of the I just want to carve out a role 26-year-old’s potential to push for NHL backup duty as early as next
league’s most versatile players. that can help the team win.” season. In 2023-24, he tied for the second-best save percentage
After all, how many skaters can Though most pundits are among AHL keepers to play in 40-plus games, and he was an AHL all-rookie teamer
kill penalties as well as anchor ruling out the playoffs for Mon- the season prior. He’s talented. Now, he just needs a path to the big leagues.
the power play? How many can treal this year, Suzuki isn’t. It’s
play first-line minutes while not like his previous playoff
also matching up against the runs were expected. As a rook- The baptism by fire didn’t quite work for DEVON LEVI last season. So,
the Sabres adjusted, bringing in James Reimer this summer to serve
opponent’s top line? His ability ie, Suzuki helped the Habs grab as the team’s No. 2 netminder. That will allow for Levi, 22, to get more
to play on both sides of the puck an unlikely post-season spot in seasoning in the AHL, where he excelled last year. Of course, Levi will
has made him an outside candi- the pandemic-shorted 2019-20 only be able to establish himself as Buffalo’s future No. 1 goalie if he
can outduel 25-year-old Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. It’s a young and promising duo, and
eventually, Buffalo will be forced to decide between the two talented stoppers.
NICK
SUZUKI
SEBASTIAN COSSA’S impressive trajectory over the past three seasons
– WHL standout to ECHL all-star to AHL starter – puts the Red Wings
in an excellent position, especially as the 21-year-old is going to be
given time to build on last season’s success. What puts Detroit in an
enviable position, too, is that Trey Augustine, 19, is likewise on a great
development path. After taking Team USA to gold at last year’s WJC, he then won a Big
Ten championship and took home conference-tourney MVP honors for Michigan State.

The Panthers future-proofed their crease by drafting SPENCER

KNIGHT in 2019, and his potential was evident when he made four
NHL appearances (plus two playoff starts) at age 20. Now 23, and
having returned to the AHL last season after taking time away to focus
on his health, Knight will be back in Florida this year to serve as Sergei
Bobrovsky’s backup. The Panthers still believe in Knight, and he’ll be given the chance
to push for the starting job as Bobrovsky’s contract inches toward its 2026 expiration.

With 11 goalies in the system, the Habs have taken a volume approach
to finding their next great goalie. For now, Montreal is happy with Sam
Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. But down the line, the Canadiens’
hopes are potentially pinned on JACOB FOWLER. The 19-year-old
was an NCAA first-team all-American last season, and his .926 save
percentage was second-best among 30-game starters – and that was as a freshman.
He’s returning to Boston College this fall, and Montreal will be watching him intently.

In 27 NHL appearances, MADS SOGAARD has posted an .884 SP and

3.44 GAA. But don’t give up on the 23-year-old, especially as his
stats have no doubt been hindered by some substandard defending
in Ottawa the past three seasons. For a goaltender his size – and he’s
date to grab one of the depth season, when they upset Pitts- been gifted with a towering 6-foot-7 frame – Sogaard is deceptively
spots on Canada’s 4 Nations burgh in the best-of-five quali- explosive. It’s a winning combination, and one he used to put up career-best AHL
Face-Off roster. fication round in the Toronto numbers last season. He’s not ready yet, but he’s not far off.
“I obviously want to be on bubble. The next year, Montreal
that team,” he said, adding that advanced past Toronto, Win-
there’s extra motivation be- nipeg and Vegas to earn a spot At first blush, HUGO ALNEFELT signing a three-year pact in Sweden
would suggest there’s no future for the 23-year-old in Tampa Bay,
cause Montreal is a host city in the final – although home especially as his departure comes after three mediocre campaigns in
for the February event. “I’ve games were played in front of a the AHL. But a return to Sweden could do wonders for Alnefelt, who
thought about it a lot. Putting mostly empty arena. “I want to immediately slots into starting duty in one of Europe’s top leagues. If
on a Canadian jersey in Montre- be in the playoffs,” Suzuki said. Alnefelt fails to pan out, the next in line for Andrei Vasilevskiy’s throne is 19-year-old
al would be pretty fun. So, hope- “I’ve been in the playoffs twice Harrison Meneghin. But the 2024 seventh-rounder isn’t really on the NHL radar yet.
DAVID KIROUAC-USA TODAY SPORTS

fully, I can make that happen. now, and they haven’t been un-
“I’m a player that can kind der normal circumstances. So,
of be put in any situation. I can I haven’t got to play at the Bell DENNIS HILDEBY got his feet wet in the AHL at the end of 2022-23
before camping himself in the Toronto Marlies’ crease last season. The
play fourth line, I can shut oth- Centre in front of a sold-out 23-year-old made his case as the Leafs’ goalie of the future by finish-
er guys down, play a shutdown crowd. That’s definitely some- ing tied for fifth in the AHL with four shutouts and posting a solid .913
role with my team every single thing I’m itching for this year.” SP. If he continues his current trajectory, he’ll become a nightmare
night. So, yeah, I like to be put As the French would say, for opposing shooters. At 6-foot-7 and 222 pounds, he would’ve been tied for tallest
in that position. If I’m penalty “tout est possible.” goalie in the NHL last season – and he would’ve been one of the bulkiest, too.

T HE GOA LI E I SS UE T HE HOCK E Y NE W S | 51 |
 NHL

STORM WATCH
Slavin will be tested this year after
the Hurricanes lost three blueline
regulars to off-season free agency.

TO WEAR THE
SAME JERSEY
FOR WHAT I
HOPE TO BE
MY WHOLE
CAREER IS AN
INCREDIBLE
FEELING
– Jaccob Slavin
When Slavin hangs up his
skates, there’s a good chance
his No. 74 will be raised to the
Lenovo Center rafters. But when
asked how it feels to have his
entire hockey identity wrapped
up in the Canes, the Colorado
native seemed a bit uneasy with
that characterization.
“There’s a lot that goes into
that,” he said. “From a hockey
perspective, it’s awesome. To
be able to wear the same jer-
CAROLINA HURRICANES because he’s played each of sey for what seemed to be my
his nine NHL seasons with the whole career and what I hope

SLAVIN SHOOTS
same team, Slavin is already to be my whole career is just an
the franchise’s all-time leader incredible feeling. And my fam-
among defense- ily’s happy because they don’t
men in assists, have to get any other jerseys.

AND SCORES, TOO

points and pretty They just get to stay with Caro-
much every other lina black-and-red. They don’t
meaningful sta- have to worry about switching.”
tistical offensive category. The symbolism of potentially
The only one he’s missing is putting on the same jersey for
Known as one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL, goals. But just give it some time. 17 straight years isn’t lost on
After this summer, when Slavin Slavin. On one hand, he realizes
Jaccob Slavin is on his way to becoming the Hurricanes’ inked an eight-year extension his identity is tied up in hockey.
all-time leader in offense from the blueline BY MICHAEL TRAIKOS with the Canes that kicks in for But he attributes his success in
2025-26, it’s a matter of when – the league to being able to dis-

A
S A STAY-AT-HOME de- slappers from the point like not if – the 30-year-old will go tinguish between Jaccob Slavin,
fenseman who has never Brent Burns. He’s a shutdown down as Carolina’s most offen- the hockey player, and Jaccob
scored more than eight specialist, one who is valued sive defenseman. Slavin, the devoted husband, fa-
DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS

goals in a season, Jac- more for his shot-blocking abil- For someone who has built ther and church-going member
cob Slavin knows where his ity and knack for keeping the an identity around doing the of the community.
strengths lie and what his role puck out of his own net – rather exact opposite, it’s a testament “Obviously, I love playing
is with the Carolina Hurricanes. than trying to put it into the op- to Slavin’s longevity and loyalty hockey, and it makes me happy
He’s not going to skate the ponent’s cage. more than anything else. “I’m to play hockey, but it doesn’t
puck from one end to the oth- As such, Slavin has never just thankful that I get to have give me, like, everlasting joy,” he
er like Cale Makar or Quinn once led Hurricanes defense- that opportunity to play there said. “And so, if I were telling my
Hughes. Nor is he going to blast men in scoring in a season. But my whole career,” he said. 21-year-old self just starting

| 52 | THE HOC KE Y NE W S T HE GOA L IE ISSU E

 METRO DIVISION
GOALTENDING FUTURE BY RYAN KENNEDY
out, it’s, ‘Don’t put your identity up, and I get called up two
in this game, and just have fun weeks later, and then, we both
with it.’ Hockey is going to end are in the NHL from that point
one day, right? Hockey is going on. And so, seeing him go was With Pyotr Kochetkov now in the NHL, the Hurricanes’ best goalie
prospect becomes another Russian in RUSLAN KHAZHEEV, the 2023
to end. And if your identity is tough. And Brady Skjei’s been fifth-rounder who is coming off a splendid season with Chelyabinsk in
in the game of hockey, when it there for the past five years. Russia’s top junior league. A big netminder who’s adept at challenging
ends, you’re going to be rocked.” These are guys that you be- shooters and moves quite well in the crease, the 6-foot-4 Khazheev
That sort of perspective has come really good friends with, signed his entry-level deal with Carolina in the spring and has come over to start his
served Slavin well. Hockey is so seeing them go is never fun.” North American pro career this season, potentially with AHL Chicago.
an emotional game of ups and Without Skjei, who led Caro-
downs. It’s also a business, lina D-men with 13 goals and
where losing can cause owner- 47 points last season, more will After playing for Sweden’s Modo organization the past three years,
6-foot-3 MELVIN STRAHL has left for Ohio – specifically, to the
ship to make harsh decisions. be expected out of Slavin. But USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. While Strahl’s stats weren’t great last
That was underscored this sum- just because his offensive role season, his Modo team wasn’t that good, either. This year’s Phantoms,
mer, as the Canes lost in the sec- might be growing, don’t expect meanwhile, look intriguing. The Blue Jackets’ 2023 fifth-rounder will
ond round and then bid good- his ego to grow along with it. be joining fellow European import Adam Benak, a dynamic center eligible for the 2025
draft. And Strahl is just two-and-a-half hours from Columbus now, which is a bonus.

With Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen on board, the Devils hope they
won’t need to dip into their prospect pool this season. In past years,
injuries and inconsistency from their NHLers led to young netminders
such as Nico Daws (still in the system) and Akira Schmid getting forced
into action early. But with the current set-up, a highly touted prospect
such as 2024 second-rounder MIKHAIL YEGOROV can take his time. Yegorov is playing
for USHL Omaha this season and is slated for Boston University after that.

With Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov in the NHL, the Islanders
haven’t had to worry about their goaltending in a while – and that will
likely continue to be the case in the coming years. New York can thus
take its time in developing a netminder such as JAKUB SKAREK, who
has already made more than 100 starts in the AHL with Bridgeport the
past three seasons. The 24-year-old Czech has great size and calmness in the crease,
though he’ll have competition for starts with the Baby Isles this year.

Though he must fill out his 6-foot-3, 177-pound frame, DYLAN

GARAND has put up excellent numbers in his past three playoff ap-
pearances (one year with WHL Kamloops and the past two with AHL
Hartford). He also has a WJC gold medal from Canada’s 2022 victory,
so the kid has seen some pressure-packed games – which is perfect
for a goaltender who may play in Madison Square Garden one day. For now, though,
the poised 22-year-old can continue working on his game with the AHL’s Wolf Pack.
JACCOB
SLAVIN
The opportunity is there for CARSON BJARNASON to have a massive
season. The WHL Brandon star has gotten statistically better every
season with the Wheat Kings, and he looked great in Canada’s net at

THESE ARE GUYS YOU BECOME REALLY the World Junior Summer Showcase in August. Should Bjarnason lock
up a job with the WJC team in December, he’ll have the chance to win

GOOD FRIENDS WITH, SO SEEING a medal in front of a staunchly pro-Canada crowd in Ottawa. With Bjarnason’s size and
agility, the future is bright for the stopper the Flyers drafted 51st overall in 2023.

THEM GO ISN’T FUN – Jaccob Slavin In his first full season of North American pro hockey, JOEL BLOMQVIST
established he was a force to be reckoned with in the Pittsburgh
bye to GM Don Waddell and UFA He knows what his identity is. system. The Finnish national earned the lion’s share of starts for AHL
D-men Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei Both on and off the ice. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and posted an impressive .921 save percentage
and Tony DeAngelo. “For myself, it’s finding my with the Baby Pens (not to mention an invite to the AHL All-Star
“It’s definitely the most identity in who God says I am Game). Quick and smart in the crease, Blomqvist can continue to build his game in the
changeover we’ve had prob- versus anything else,” he said. minors – unless the Penguins need him for NHL spot duty at any point.
DAVID KIROUAC-USA TODAY SPORTS

ably in my career so far,” Slavin “I know my God doesn’t care

said. “I’ve played my whole ca- about my performance. He
reer with Brett Pesce. We start- cares about where my heart is There’s no better experience than a championship run, and even
though CLAY STEVENSON was the backup to Hunter Shepard in AHL
ed rookie camp together. We in the matter, and I’m just glo- Hershey’s latest triumph, Stevenson is coming off another fantastic
started training camp together. rifying Him. So, that actually campaign himself. The undrafted Dartmouth alum had a staggering
We were both the last cuts the gives me more freedom to go seven shutouts in 36 appearances last season, tops in the AHL. Mean-
first year and got sent down to out and use the abilities He’s while, his .922 save percentage was among the best in the league, too. At 6-foot-4,
(AHL) Charlotte. He gets called given me to the fullest.” Stevenson has an NHL frame, and he knows how to position himself well in the crease.

THE GO ALI E I SS U E THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 53 |

 NHL

HALL MONITOR
At 32, the veteran Hall knows that
a key part of his role is to serve as a
guide for Chicago’s next generation.

BEING OUT OF
THE GAMES
KILLED ME.
I REALLY
MISSED
BEING PART
OF THE TEAM
– Taylor Hall
really missed being part of the
team. So, the summer was al-
most harder in some ways than
the regular season.”
The way the Blackhawks op-
erated throughout the summer
has also made Hall as eager as
ever to get back. No stranger to
rebuilds, having lived through
a seemingly perpetual state of
roster-revamping during his
time as an Edmonton Oiler, Hall
watched as GM Kyle Davidson
reshaped the top end of Chi-
cago’s roster. “For whatever my
opinion is worth, I thought we
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS ing has been really cool. That’s had a really good free agency,
a positive for sure, and just hav- off-season, and along with the

TAKING CARE
ing that time off mentally after growth of some of our young
doing this for such a long time guys, there’s some exciting
was something times ahead,” he said. “As a vet-
that I just really eran player, I’ve seen this play

OF THE KIDS
had to take ad- out a few times before, but this
vantage of.” is one of the ones that makes
After 10 me most excited, just with the
months away, however, the way our team has been built.”
2018 Hart Trophy winner has Some of those new arrivals
Taylor Hall missed all but 10 games last season, but it allowed never been more ready to get are familiar faces, including
him to spend some precious time with his new son, Stetson. back to work. As well as he Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.
handled his time off, Hall joked The latter was a member of
Now that he’s healthy again, the one-time NHL MVP is ready that he’d “go completely out of Hall’s wedding party, and Hall
to tend to his young hockey charges in Chicago BY JARED CLINTON my mind” if he had to watch counts Smith among his best
from the sidelines again, add- friends. But also arriving are

I
F THERE’S ONE WAY to get season, the 32-year-old is able ing he was starting to get the Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Tera-
your mind off of an excruci- to find a silver lining in a cam- itch by the end of last season vainen, a pair of legitimate top-
JAMIE SABAU-USA TODAY SPORTS

ating injury, season-ending paign spent almost entirely on – an itch that only worsened as six talents who can provide the
surgery and months of rig- the shelf: he got to enjoy qual- summer progressed. “Being out scoring punch that was sorely
orous rehab, it’s diaper duty. ity time with his newborn son, of the games killed me,” he said. missing in the Windy City last
So, while Taylor Hall would Stetson. “I’ll remember that for “Once I started skating again season. And after playing just
have given anything to be out my whole life,” Hall said. “To see and joined the team for prac- 10 games last year, a healthy
on the ice with his Chicago him grow up in a different way tices by the end of the regular Hall also stands to feel like a
Blackhawks teammates last than I would have if I was play- season last year, that’s when I new addition.

| 54 | T HE H OC K E Y NE W S T H E GO ALI E I SSUE
 CENTRAL DIVISION
GOALTENDING FUTURE BY JARED CLINTON
But it will be the job of the similar stability to a fresh-faced
Hawks’ refurbished attack, Hall roster. Last season, he helped
said, to complement what he shepherd along Connor Be-
feels is the most exciting part of dard, sharing advice and trad- ADAM GAJAN is still at least a few years away, but the Blackhawks
have high hopes for him. Winner of top-goaltender honors at the
Chicago’s potentially transfor- ing stories with the fellow No. 2023 World Junior Championship – and twice selected as a top-three
mative summer: the bolstering 1 overall pick, and Hall wants player on the Slovak WJC squad – Gajan, 20, is heading to Minnesota-
of the back end and blue paint. to continue passing wisdom on Duluth after seasons in the NAHL and USHL. The Bulldogs are in a
Adding goalie Laurent Bros- to the Blackhawks youngsters, transitional period after winning back-to-back national titles pre-pandemic, so Gajan
soit, who will compete with Petr such as Philipp Kurashev, Lukas could find himself thrown into the deep end as a freshman.
Mrazek for the starting job, has Reichel and Kevin Korchinski.
Hall bullish on the Blackhawks’ So, while Hall hungers to get
crease tandem, and he’s even back to his scoring ways and Alexandar Georgiev has one season left on his deal, and Justus An-
nunen’s .928 save percentage across 14 appearances in 2023-24 has
more thrilled about Chicago prove he can still be a game- given Colorado hope the Finn can push for starting duty. But the long-
bringing aboard defenders T.J. in, game-out offensive threat, term answer appears to be ILYA NABOKOV. The 21-year-old, who was
Brodie and Alec Martinez, both he believes one of his best as- the KHL’s rookie of the year last season, bordered on unbeatable in the
of whom Hall name-checked as sets heading into his 15th big- playoffs, capturing post-season MVP honors while leading Magnitogorsk to the title.
(For those wondering: Nabokov is not related to longtime NHL goalie Evgeni Nabokov.)

The Stars’ crease belongs to Jake Oettinger now and for the foresee-
able future. That benefits Dallas, who can allow for the patient devel-
opment of its top goalie prospects, of whom MAXIM MAYOROV, 20,
is the most intriguing. A 2022 fifth-round pick, the towering, 6-foot-6
Mayorov posted the Russian junior circuit’s best goals-against average
last season. He has a good pedigree, too. His father, Vasily Koshechkin, backstopped
Russia to 2018 Olympic gold and won two KHL titles and top-goaltender awards.

It’s not a matter of if JESPER WALLSTEDT is next in line, but when

he’ll arrive. While Minnesota’s re-signing of veteran Marc-Andre
Fleury blocked Wallstedt’s path to regular backup duty, there’s little
doubt he’ll slide into that role as early as next season and perhaps
earn himself a few starts this season. The 21-year-old, who was
selected 20th overall in the 2021 draft, has already twice represented the Wild’s farm
club at the AHL All-Star Game. Big, mobile and patient, he’s the full package.

With the trade of Yaroslav Askarov to San Jose, the door is open for
an up-and-comer to earn their place behind Juuse Saros. Perhaps
farthest along in his development is Ethan Haider, who arrives in the
AHL with four solid NCAA campaigns on his resume, but Nashville
might have its hopes pinned to JAKUB MILOTA. Selected 99th overall
in the 2024 draft, the 18-year-old earned a spot on the QMJHL all-rookie team and
TAYLOR HALL &
backstopped Czechia to within one goal of gold at the 2023 U-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
CONNOR BEDARD

With all due respect to Vadim Zherenko and Will Cranley, to suggest
that either one is the future in the Blues’ crease is to ignore JOEL
IT’S NOT JUST ON THE ICE IN THE HOFER’S potential to lock down the No. 1 job for the next decade. Per
naturalstattrick.com, among goalies to play at least 30 games last sea-

GAMES. IT’S IN THE WEIGHT ROOM son, Hofer finished fifth in goals saved above average per 60 minutes
at 5-on-5, even outpacing creasemate Jordan Binnington. Hofer is only 38 games into

AND HOW YOU PREPARE – Taylor Hall his NHL career, but he’s positioned to hold down the Blues’ crease for years to come.

veterans whose influence can league season is as an on- and His outings weren’t all gems, but MICHAEL HRABAL backstopped
Czechia to bronze at the 2024 World Junior Championship, and his
spread throughout the dress- off-ice leader. That, he hopes, performance in the quarterfinal against Canada was impressive. At
ing room. “When you get into can also help drive Chicago for- the club level, the 19-year-old was thrown into the deep end at UMass,
the regular season and you get ward. “It’s not just on the ice in starting 30 games as a freshman and returning an impressive .912 SP
into Games 40 and 50 and 60 the games, but it’s in the weight to go along with two shutouts. The size is what stands out – Hrabal is 6-foot-6 – and
ISAIAH J. DOWNING-USA TODAY SPORTS

and your team is still trying to room, how you prepare for his frame will only become more advantageous as he rounds out his skill set.
find consistency,” Hall said, “it’s games and practices,” he said.
those players who have experi- “A lot of that isn’t seen by fans,
ence, know the right things to but it’s very important to the Connor Hellebuyck’s seven-year pact means the Jets are in no rush to
graduate a goalie to the bigs. Thus, Winnipeg can take a wait-and-
say and can bring consistency development of our culture of see approach as a two-horse race develops between THOMAS MILIC
in their own game night in and our team and the development and Domenic DiVincentiis. Milic, 21, battled his way to starting duty in
night out that are so valuable.” of individual players within our the AHL last season and got the nod for the Manitoba Moose in both
Hall also wants to be the organization. That’s the biggest games of their brief post-season stay. DiVincentiis, 20, struggled statistically last year,
type of player who can offer thing that I think I can bring.” but he was a first-team all-star and goaltender of the year in the OHL in 2022-23.

THE G OAL IE IS SU E T HE HOCK E Y NE WS | 55 |

 NHL

Daccord was a top-10 goalie

last season by pretty well every
key metric. It was a long time
coming for a young man who
is used to patiently waiting for
opportunities to prove himself.
Here’s a guy who went
through his first draft year in
2014 without being selected,
then was the 13th-last player
chosen the next year, 198 picks
after Connor McDavid. That
might make a guy a little sour,
but Daccord was thrilled, and
he turned it into a positive by
remembering that Tom Brady
was also drafted 199th overall
15 years before he was. Here’s
a guy who also wasn’t getting
any legitimate interest from
the Boston-area academic in-
stitutions, so in his final year of
prep school, he committed to
Arizona State University, which
hadn’t even taken a single fa-
ceoff as a Div. I program. He
turned that around, too, tell-
ing himself it was a chance for
him to be a part of history. Now,
when ASU coach Greg Powers
is trying to recruit kids, some-
thing that is a lot easier these
days, he has them talk to the
guy who went there before it
was cool. Then, there were the
minors, the lower minors – re-
member the ECHL’s Brampton
Beast? – and the expansion
SEATTLE KRAKEN boating license, he was a little draft, all of which led Daccord
shocked to learn he would ac- to his emergence with the

RISING FROM
tually be at the helm. “I’m, like, Kraken last season. “Everything
stunningly nervous right now,” I went through, all the ups and
said Daccord at downs, contributed to the per-
the time. “This son and the hockey player I am

THE DEPTHS
boat is worth today,” Daccord said. “Maybe in
so much money. the moment it wasn’t easy, but
More than I could now, I look back at it and I’m
ever pay back.” grateful for it.”
Yeah, about that, eh? A quick So are the Kraken, who
Joey Daccord is used to challenges. He was passed over in the Google search indicates these watched Daccord go on an
barges will set you back be- absolute heater shortly after
draft, then went 199th overall the next year, and his school tween $3.5 million and $4 mil- Grubauer got hurt. Daccord
didn’t have a Div. I team when he signed on BY KEN CAMPBELL lion. That’s not in Daccord’s posted eight straight wins, in-
snack bracket. Yet. But with cluding the first shutout in a

T
OWARD THE END OF his better. Fly-fishing with Will unrestricted free agency on the Winter Classic, to go with a 1.49
breakthrough season, Borgen. Hiking with Alex Wen- horizon, if he puts together an- goals-against average and .956
JAMES CAREY LAUDER-USA TODAY SPORTS

Joey Daccord did the Seat- nberg. You get the idea. When other season like he did for the save percentage. It was a classic
tle Kraken a solid. He ap- Daccord’s number was called, Kraken in 2023-24, he might case of Daccord waiting for his
peared on a web series called it was an exercise in learning want to get himself fitted for time to shine, then proving him-
Uncharted, where a player on to navigate a 75-foot Flem- one of those pretentious sea self. It came as no surprise to
the team joins broadcaster Ali- ing yacht around Puget Sound captain hats. Powers, who watched Daccord
son Lukan on a local adventure, under the guidance of captain Taking over the Kraken set an early standard for ASU’s
which they use as a backdrop Chris Freshwater. Seriously, crease after Philipp Grubauer program. “That’s him in a nut-
for a chat designed to help that was the guy’s name. went down with an injury that shell,” Powers said. “He bets on
fans to get to know the player Even though Daccord has his kept him out for two months, himself, he believes in himself

| 56 | T HE H OC KEY N E WS T HE GO AL IE ISSU E
 PACIFIC DIVISION
GOALTENDING FUTURE BY BRIAN COSTELLO
and that’s a perfect example.” SP, ‘The Mayor’ probably could
This hardly makes Daccord have run for public office.
unique among goalies, who This season is a pivotal one
seem to take their time devel- for Daccord, who you’d have to At 6-foot-6 and 214 pounds, DAMIAN CLARA comes across physi-
cally as a bit of a man-child, but he’s still a teenager for another few
oping and rarely end up playing think is the presumptive starter months. A second-round pick in 2023 – and the first player from Italy
regularly for the organization for the Kraken. He’s entering to be drafted by an NHL team – Clara had a stellar 2023-24 season with
that drafts them. For example, the final year of a contract that Brynas as they were promoted back to the SHL. He got the majority
Sam Montembeault, Adin Hill pays him a modest $1.2 million of starts over former NHLer Anders Lindback and had a better save percentage (.913 to
and Karel Vejmelka were also a season, which was commen- .889). Big and quick, he needs to refine his occasional overreactions and consistency.
taken in Daccord’s draft year, surate with his value when he
and although they’ve had more signed the deal.
NHL reps, they’re still establish- With a big year this season, Now is the time for Dustin Wolf to lock down the ‘future franchise
stopper’ label in Calgary. But who’s next in line to one day compete
ing themselves as No. 1 goalies all that will change. Another in- alongside Wolf? The Flames have drafted four Russian-born goalies
nine years after being drafted. teresting tidbit: Daccord holds in the past five drafts. Arsenii Sergeev is in his third NCAA season,
Daccord, Montembeault and citizenship in three countries transferring to Penn State from Connecticut. Daniil Chechelev and
Vejmelka are on their second – the U.S., where he was born; Yegor Yegorov are playing in Russia. The most compelling is 2024 third-rounder KIRILL
NHL organizations, while Hill is Canada, where his father was ZARUBIN. His lateral mobility and anticipation are first-rate for a 19-year-old.
on his third. born and raised; and Switzer-
You always know the funda- land, where his father played
mentals are going to be there professionally for seven sea- Entering the 2023-24 season, EEMIL VINNI ranked near the top of
the class among 2024 draft-eligible goalies. But he had a mediocre
with Daccord. After all, his fa- sons. To this point, Daccord has
season with Kiekko-Pojat and ended up being the fifth goalie selected
ther, Brian, worked with goalies never represented any of them in June, as the Oilers took him with the second-last pick in the second
with both the Toronto Maple in international competition. round. Vinni has outstanding athleticism and challenges shooters well.
He’ll get a good test with HIFK in Finland this year. Among his items to work on are
tracking the puck better and being less busy with his movements in the crease.
Kraken staff call
Daccord ‘The Mayor’
CARTER GEORGE was the third goalie drafted in 2024, going 57th
due to his outgoing overall to the Kings. He was also one of the busiest goalies last
personality and season, playing 60 games with OHL Owen Sound (56 in the regular
enthusiastic nature. season and four in the playoffs) and was Canada’s starter at the world
under-18s and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. At 6-foot-1, he’s not massive in
the crease, but he has good reflexes and squares up to shooters. He’s also an excellent
athlete and is on the radar to represent Canada at the world juniors in 2025 or 2026.

Would you believe that in the 34 NHL drafts the Sharks have participat-
ed in, they’ve never taken a goalie in the first or second round? It’s true.
And the last time the Sharks drafted a goalie who actually played for
them was 2008 with Harri Sateri. That’s probably why GM Mike Grier
decided to go out and acquire a stopper of the future – and present.
YAROSLAV ASKAROV is that man. He’s been among the top-ranked goalie prospects
since he was drafted 11th overall by Nashville in 2020. He’s a Calder Trophy candidate.

Leafs and Arizona Coyotes And with the 2026 Olympics Drafting and developing goalies is a five- to seven-year project for
NHL teams. So when NIKLAS KOKKO was one of 11 selections by the
and is now the goalie coach at looming, he’s also a free agent
second-year Kraken in 2022, it’s a name that easily could’ve been lost in
Boston University. Daccord is internationally. The natural in- the shuffle. But Kokko has made good progress in the two years since,
technically sound, has a good clination is Switzerland, until splitting 2022-23 between the Mestis and Liiga, then last year playing
mental approach and is an you consider the dog’s break- 41 regular-season and playoff games for two teams in Finland’s top league. He’s been a
elite puckhandler. All those fast that is Canadian goaltend- model of consistency and composure for the Lahti Pelicans, with a .925 SP in 30 games.
skills have taken him from be- ing at the moment.
ing a depth goalie to becoming For his part, Daccord says
a potential No. 1 guy. He also he’s not focused on his contract Canucks fans got a good taste of what ARTURS SILOVS can bring
to the table during the NHL playoffs last spring. Subbing in for the
brings an enthusiasm to the status heading into the season.
injured Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith during the first-round
rink that is genuine. After the But they all say that. “Yeah, it’s playoff series against Nashville, Silovs won five games and guided
Kraken’s first media day, staff definitely in the back of your Vancouver to within one victory of making the conference final before
started calling him ‘The Mayor’ mind, but you have to go out a Game 7 loss to Edmonton. The cool-headed Latvian will be tested again this season
because he was so outgoing. It’s there and perform your best with Demko’s playing status still a little uncertain. At 23, Silovs oozes confidence.
JOE NICHOLSON-USA TODAY SPORTS

a name that followed him to every single night regardless,”

Coachella Valley, where he led Daccord said. “Even if it wasn’t
the Firebirds to within an over- a contract year, I’d have the When the Golden Knights picked up Alexander Holtz and AKIRA
SCHMID in a June trade with New Jersey and signed free agent Ilya
time goal of winning the Calder same mindset. Honestly, I just
Samsonov a couple days later, it was assumed that Schmid would be
Cup in their first AHL campaign love playing hockey and com- relegated to third-string duty behind Adin Hill and Samsonov. But the
in 2022-23. After the season he peting, and any way I can do 24-year-old Swiss stopper may have different plans. Once a rising star
had there, which included 26 that, regardless of the contract in the Devils’ system, Schmid has 43 NHL games under his belt and a strong desire to
wins in 38 games and a .918 stuff, is important to me.” get back in a big-league crease sooner rather than later.

T HE GO ALI E I SS UE THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 57 |

 FANTASY FOCUS
WITH JASON CHEN | @JASONCHEN16

NHL

PADDED
PUZZLE
For fantasy hockey GMs, there may not
be a more difficult decision this season
than who to slot between the pipes

W
HAT HAPPENED TO THE starting
goalie?
In the first season of the NHL’s
salary-cap era in 2005-06, three
goalies started 70-plus games – Martin Bro-
deur, Miikka Kiprusoff and Roberto Luongo
– and there were eight others who started
at least 60 games. Last season, only three
goalies started at least 60
games – Juuse Saros, Alex-
andar Georgiev and Connor
Hellebuyck. Over the past 20
years, the workhorse starting dipped. Since 1994, the only other times BUYCK-ING THE TREND
goalie whom fantasy managers could rely teams averaged more than three goals per Winnipeg’s star starter is one of the few
upon has slowly gone the way of the dodo. game were in 1995-96 and 2005-06, which goalies who fantasy GMs can count on
There’s no denying the trend: No. 1 goal- – perhaps not coincidentally – were seasons to play 60-plus games.
ies are starting fewer games than ever be- that closely followed lockouts. (Maybe we
fore, and more teams now prefer to run a can attribute that to rusty goalies?)
1A-1B tandem. It’s a tactic that has proven From a fantasy perspective, these trends
to be successful, with the latest example have altered the strategies and attitudes to- There are a handful of goalies, such as
being the Boston Bruins’ duo of Linus Ull- ward all goalies. But rather than increasing Hellebuyck or Andrei Vasilevskiy, whom we
mark and Jeremy Swayman, who combined the value of an elite netminder, they have can expect to be among the league’s best,
to win the Jennings Trophy in 2022-23. It devalued the position altogether, consid- barring injury. But they’re few and far be-
was the sixth time in the cap era that the ering its randomness and how few keep- tween, and rarely are they good enough to
award winners had won 20 games each. ers can stay consistently elite. The days of carry a fantasy team. They simply don’t play
There isn’t one specific reason the NHL a goalie starting 70 games and winning 40 enough games to do so anymore.
has trended this way but rather a com- of them, as Brodeur once did regularly, will Close to one-third of NHL teams will
bination of factors. Despite better travel likely never be seen again. likely run a tandem this season, including
amenities and more knowledge about Stanley Cup con-
physical fitness and rest, the position is
arguably more taxing than ever. Shoot- THE DAYS OF A GOALIE STARTING tenders such as
Carolina (Freder-
ers shoot harder – aided by continually
improving stick technology – and skaters 70 GAMES AND WINNING 40 OF THEM ik Andersen and
Pyotr Kochetkov)
skate faster. The talent level is also higher
than ever, and the crackdown on clutching
and grabbing has allowed for a more free-
WILL LIKELY NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN and Toronto (Jo-
seph Woll and
Anthony Stolarz).
flowing game. And there’s more skill in the Of course, the devaluation of goaltenders Then, there are the teams who don’t have
lineup, with increased demand for players is measured in degrees depending on a fan- the option of having a No. 1 and instead are
who can create scoring chances and less tasy league’s settings and the GMs’ biases. throwing darts at a wall, such as Detroit
demand for skaters who can throw hits and Some leagues will still reward fantasy teams (Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon and Ville Husso), or
punches but can’t contribute much else. with an elite netminder because the scoring they’re keeping the seat warm for a pros-
JAMES CAREY LAUDER-IMAGN IMAGES

Add up all these components, and, voila, it’s system is heavily skewed toward goaltend- pect, such as San Jose (Yaroslav Askarov)
become a challenging time for goalies. ing, but in other leagues, goaltending can and Minnesota (Jesper Wallstedt).
Teams have averaged more than three be an afterthought. Some managers think When it comes to goalies in fantasy hock-
goals per game in five of the past six sea- goaltending is far too random, and that tar- ey these days, tread cautiously and try not
sons, and average power-play efficiencies geting netminders early wastes draft capital to tear out your hair.
have eclipsed 20 percent in five of the past when an individual skater’s
seven seasons. Conversely, penalty-killing scoring production is far eas- > For daily fantasy hockey coverage, check out THN.com/fantasy
efficiencies and save percentages have ier to predict.

T HE GOA LI E I SS UE THE H OCK E Y NE WS | 59 |

 PWHL
THE FUTURE IS NOW
With the rise of the PWHL, Osborne
decided to leave college a year early
and test her mettle in the pro game.

son Simpson – to be drafted this

year. “It was super cool still be-
ing in college and watching this
league develop,” Osborne said.
“When I was in my sophomore
and junior years, I was kind of
questioning what I was going
to do with hockey after. I didn’t
know if I wanted to play over-
seas or how things would play
out. Having a league develop
last year, we watched a lot of
games, especially as a team. It
brought us all together.”
While Colgate players gath-
ered and dreamed of a profes-
sional future, Osborne tried to
focus on the present last sea-
son, knowing her time in the
NCAA was coming to a close.
As a goaltender, the ability to
focus on the moment at hand
NEW YORK SIRENS borne, it was time for a new is a valuable trait, and one that
challenge. And she believes in Osborne believes will continue

BIG-LEAGUE
her ability to secure a position to serve her well.
in the world’s top league. “I’m “Focusing on where my feet
most looking forward to devel- were allowed me to play my
oping my game at a higher lev- best,” she said. “I want to con-

AMBITION
el,” Osborne said. “Stepping into tinue not looking too far into
this league, I have a lot of learn- the future, but focusing on my
ing to do, but I’m also looking development and showing up
to develop my game, learn from to the rink every day ready
the best, and also (to) compete to work and knowing if you
against the best in the world.” do that one day after another,
The PWHL is packed with great goalies and national-team
Last season, Osborne would you’re going to get where you
starters. But that didn’t stop Kayle Osborne from entering the come together with many need to go.”
draft early – and New York was glad she did so BY IAN KENNEDY of her Colgate teammates to New York had no doubts
watch PWHL games. She was about Osborne, signing her to

I
N A SIX-TEAM LEAGUE, the It could have, but it didn’t. one of five Colgate players – a three-year contract, the lon-
competition for goaltend- A product of Westport, Ont., with Danielle Serdachny, Syd- gest allowable under league
ing positions is fierce. In a village outside of Ottawa, Os- ney Bard, Dara Greig and Ally- rules. At the NCAA level, Os-
the NHL’s Original Six era, borne was selected in the fifth
it was a time dominated by round (28th overall) by the
Hall of Fame netminders such New York Sirens in the 2024
DANIELLE SERDACHNY
as Terry Sawchuk, Bill Durnan PWHL draft following a spec- & KAYLE OSBORNE
and Jacques Plante. Someday, tacular four-year stint in the
the PWHL’s Origi- NCAA with Colgate. Knowing
nal Six era might the fledgling PWHL included
produce a similar national-team starting net-
OLIVIA HOKANSON/COLGATE ATHLETICS

number of leg- minders from Canada, the U.S.,

endary netmind- Sweden, Czechia and Germany
ers. With the depth of talent – all of whom are looking for
already in PWHL creases, Kayle spots in the league this season –
Osborne was bold to forego her Osborne, 22, risked it all by de-
final season of NCAA eligibil- claring for the draft a year early.
ity and enter the PWHL draft a She had her university de-
year early. The decision could gree. She’d proven herself in
easily have backfired. the NCAA. So, according to Os-

| 62 | THE H OCK EY N EWS THE GOA LI E I SSUE

 PWHL
to get on the ice to prove New learn from the veteran net-
York’s faith was not misplaced. minders on New York’s roster.
“It showed a lot in New York’s While she’s signed for three
belief in me as a goaltender in years, all teams carry three
how I can develop over the next goalies, which means Osborne
few years, and having that secu- still needs to earn her playing
rity means a lot,” Osborne said. time. She’s confident, however,
“It gives me a sense they know that after spending a lifetime
what I can do in this league and watching many of the netmind-
within three years’ time, I’ll be ers in the PWHL, she’s ready to
able to make huge leaps in my step into the game herself and
development. It’s a really great claim a spot for years to come.
feeling, honestly, having them “I grew up looking up to these
have that belief in me this early goalies, and watching them
in my career.” play last year and through my
Because of that faith, Os- years at college, I learned a lot
borne has no plans to change from watching them,” she said.
what got her here and made “They’re some of the best in the
her successful the past four game and best in the world, so
years. She’s also “going in with being able to earn a spot in this
an open mind” and is ready to league is an honor.”

borne posted a career stat line training, including stays in Las

of a 1.64 goals-against aver- Vegas and Calgary. In particular,
age, .927 save percentage, 13 she worked with Top Prospects
shutouts and a 61-20-4 record Goaltending, an organization
in 92 appearances. According that’s worked with a slew of
to Sirens GM Pascal Daoust, he elite Canadian women’s net-
was thrilled to add Osborne to a minders including Shannon
goaltending group that already Szabados, Ann-Renee Desbiens,
included PWHL goaltender-of- Charline Labonte and Emer-
the-year finalist Corinne Schro- ance Maschmeyer.
eder, saying Osborne’s signing Osborne herself has been a
brings “quality and stability to regular at Canada’s national-
the team and our fans for the team selection camps and
TOP+MIDDLE: OLIVIA HOKANSON/COLGATE ATHLETICS; BOTTOM: MARK STEWART/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

coming seasons.” served as Canada’s third goalie

This season, Osborne will be at the Rivalry Series last sea-
one of only a handful of rookie son. This year, she’s ready to
netminders to crack PWHL not just watch and learn but
rosters. The others include
first-team all-American and
2023 NCAA goaltender of the
year Gwyneth Philips, who was
also Team USA’s third goalie at
the 2024 world championship,
and Raygan Kirk, who won two
NCAA national championships
with Ohio State.
“While playing a technical
game, Kayle is especially explo-
sive and powerful, making her
a goaltender who consistently
battles and competes for pucks,
even the ones that seem im-
possible to stop,” Daoust said.
“Around her net, she excels at Osborne posted 13 shutouts
playing the puck, giving the and a miniscule 1.64 GAA
team the advantage of an extra in 92 career games with
player on the ice.” NCAA Colgate.
Osborne spent her summer

THE GOA LI E I SS UE THE HOCK EY NE W S | 63 |

 PWHL

BOSTON FLEET

TITLETOWN ’TENDY
Aerin Frankel is proud of the resilience that her Boston team
showed in Year 1 of the PWHL. But she knows the fans
in Beantown won’t settle for second-best BY CAROL SCHRAM

J
UST AS FENWAY PARK’S regular season, and she was
left-field wall famously named a PWHL goalie-of-the-
steals home runs from year finalist.
deserving batters, Aerin With plenty of elite talent be-
Frankel has a propensity for tween the pipes in the women’s
thwarting what look to be sure game, Boston was one of just
goals from deserving shooters. three teams to use a (pre-draft)
Meet the Boston Fleet’s free-agent spot on a goalie. became just the fourth goalie to Once the roster was filled
TOP: LUKE SCHMIDT/PWHL; MIDDLE: MICHAEL RILEY/BOSTON FLEET

‘Green Monster.’ Marmer targeted Frankel – win the Patty Kazmaier Award out, Frankel was in the com-
“She’s just the fresh off her gold-medal win as as the top player in women’s pany of two more familiar fac-
ultimate competi- Team USA’s starter at the 2023 college hockey. She also claimed es: former Northeastern team-
tor,” said Fleet GM worlds – and two other Team the NCAA’s first two women’s mate and close friend Alina
Danielle Marmer. USA veterans in superstar goalie-of-the-year awards in Muller and U.S. national-team
“I knew I wanted a goaltender right winger Hilary Knight and 2021 and 2022. center Hannah Brandt.
who was going to compete, steady defender Megan Keller. “I didn’t really know if any of Bostonians love their sports
who can win. Aerin’s won at It was a perfect scenario for the teams were going to reach teams. And whether it’s on the
every level she’s played at.” Frankel, a native New Yorker out to me during free agency,” field, the hard court or the ice,
Boston ultimately finished who had already put down Frankel said. “Boston was defi- winning is the expectation.
one win shy of capturing the roots in Boston after five sea- nitely the most exciting oppor- Heading into Year 1, Frankel
inaugural Walter Cup. But Fran- sons at Northeastern. In 2020, tunity for me. I was hoping that and her teammates under-
kel established herself as one of she helped the Huskies snap they were going to contact me, stood the assignment in Title-
the league’s top goalies by el- a six-year drought to win the so it was a no-brainer for me to town. But it was tough going
evating her game after a strong Women’s Beanpot. In 2021, she want to stay here.” in the brand-new league. Four

| 64 | THE HOC K EY NE WS T H E GO AL IE ISSUE

 PWHL
straight losses in early Febru- berth in the Walter Cup final.
ary dropped Boston down the In the final, Frankel deliv-
standings and triggered the ered one more statement game
first-ever PWHL trade. Seeking when Boston faced elimination
to change her team’s chemistry, on the road in Game 4. Making
Marmer sent defender Sophie save after spectacular save, she
Jaques to Minnesota for blue- delivered a 33-save double-
liner Abby Cook and center Su- overtime shutout to help send
sanna Tapani. the series back to Tsongas Cen-
During that early adversity, ter for the decider at home.
Frankel learned an important During her gruelling post-
lesson about keeping an even season run, Frankel said the
keel through the season’s in- pro-level resources available to
evitable ups and downs. “You’re the PWHL players helped her
not going to win every single to train and kept her sharp. But
game,” she said, “no matter how during those long games with
good your team is, because the
competition in our league is
just so good.”
Soon enough, the tide began GETTING BETTER OVER TIME
to turn. On Feb. 25, Frankel Frankel struggled early last season,
earned her first PWHL shutout but she thrived with her back against
with a 41-save effort against the wall – especially in playoff OT.
Minnesota in front of more than
10,000 fans at Xcel Energy Cen-
ter, and she was named one of
the league’s three stars of the
week for the first time.
A month later, with Boston
still outside the playoff picture
and players headed to the 2024
World Championship, Knight
delivered a clear message to her
teammates. “I can remember,
before we left for that interna-
tional break, Hilary addressing
the room and telling everyone,
‘Listen, we have an opportunity
here,’ ” Frankel said. “ ‘Each
person is responsible for go-
ing back to where they’re go-
ing and training. What you do
during that time will be up to
you. But it will show when we
get back and have a chance at a
collective goal.’ ”
Looking for another gold
medal in Utica, N.Y., Team USA
came up just short. Danielle
Serdachny beat Frankel on the
MIDDLE: LUKE SCHMIDT/PWHL; TOP: MICHAEL RILEY/BOSTON FLEET

power play at 5:16 of over- place in the six-team league and eight games. And she was a per- sky-high stakes, her team’s pos-
time to give Canada the win, faced No. 2 Montreal in the first fect 4-0 in overtime. itive approach was also crucial.
which fired up the goalie and round. “We were playing in kind The first-round sweep of “People were hydrating
her national-team mates to of a do-or-die type situation, Montreal was anything but and getting snacks, but more
embrace their opportunity in needing almost every point we easy, with every game going to so just keeping the locker
Boston. “Being able to return to could get our last five games,” extra time. Frankel made 53 room really loose,” she said.
the pro season after that world Frankel said. “That gave our saves in the series-opening 2-1 “We were all just laughing
championship and having an- group confidence, knowing we road win at Place Bell. and having fun and not tense
other chance to win something had all the pieces to the puzzle.” Two nights later, she was at all.
was something pretty special,” No piece was more impor- even better with 56 stops on 57 “I think that’s what led to our
Frankel said. tant than the goalie herself. shots in a 111-minute triple-OT success. We weren’t thinking
It came down to the wire. But Frankel played every post- marathon. Then, back on home that our backs were up against
with four one-goal wins and season minute for Boston, ice, Boston erased a 2-0 defi- the wall. Obviously, they were,
a shootout loss in its final five posting a .953 save percentage cit, and Frankel made 32 stops but we were just playing free
games, Boston climbed to third while allowing just 14 goals in on the way to a 3-2 win and a and having fun.”

T HE GOA LI E I SS U E T HE HOCK E Y NE W S | 65 |
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 AHL
GOALIE MONSTER
Greaves set a Cleveland franchise
record with 30 wins last season, then
led the team to the conference final.

look to continue the hottest run

of his pro career.
Last year, Greaves set a Cleve-
land Monsters single-season
franchise record for wins while
ranking second among AHL
goalies in victories (30-12-4),
earning his first appearance at
the AHL All-Star Classic. In the
post-season, he posted an 8-5
record with a 2.17 goals-against
average, .926 save percentage
and one shutout in 13 games
to help Cleveland advance to
the Eastern Conference final.
The Blue Jackets subsequently
rewarded Greaves with a two-
year extension.
Greaves has thrived playing
meaningful games for an orga-
nization that’s still searching
for its first true No. 1 goalie
since newly minted Stanley Cup
champion Sergei Bobrovsky
bolted for the Sunshine State.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time
CLEVELAND MONSTERS in this organization,” Greaves
said. “I’ve been fortunate to be

PLEASE REMAIN SEATED

around so many really good
people, especially with the
goaltending staff. We’ve had
Manny Legace and now Nik-
las Backstrom and then Brad
Jet Greaves is calm, cool and collected in the crease,
and the Blue Jackets goalie prospect is coming into his own
after a deep AHL post-season run BY DILLON COLLINS

I
T’S HARD TO IGNORE
TOP: CHRISTIAN BONIN/TORONTO MARLIES; BOTTOM: PHOTO BY CLEVELAND MONSTERS
the person,” Greaves said. “We were
elephant in the room as all super lucky to get to know
Jet Greaves sits down for him and his family. We’ll always
a pre-season interview. remember him and try to carry
Days removed from the fu- him with us everywhere we go.
neral for Johnny and Matthew But yeah, just a super tragic
Gaudreau, the entire Columbus few weeks, but it’s good to be
Blue Jackets organization – of with everybody and kind of go
which Greaves is through it together and be able
a highly regarded to support each other.”
goaltending pros- Returning to the game of
pect – remains in hockey is a daunting task in the
a numb state of aftermath of the tragedy, but
grief. But if there is any silver the inner flame for the Gaud-
lining to be found in the sense- reau brothers burns brightly in
less loss, perhaps it’s that pain each member of the Blue Jack-
can serve as a great unifier. ets family.
“Johnny was such a great For Greaves, a 23-year-old
player, but for everybody who native of Cambridge, Ont., the
knew him, he was such a great 2024-25 season will see him

| 68 | THE H OC KEY NEW S T H E G OA LIE ISSUE

 AHL
Thiessen in Cleveland. It’s just nate in Barrie to have some re-
been a lot of really good people ally good people around us that
to learn from. I feel like they’ve we could learn from. And that’s
helped me so much to learn something that has helped me
about the game and to learn my in the next steps of my career
game and how to be successful after that.”
at different levels.” Named to the OHL’s first all-
Greaves’ infatuation with the rookie team in 2018-19, the un-
sport goes back to his child- drafted Greaves earned a con-
hood in the hockey hotbed of tract with the AHL’s Monsters,
southern Ontario. Jet and his making his pro debut in a 40-
brother Kai, who will suit up save effort against the Belleville
at Princeton this season after a Senators in October 2021.
successful BCHL career, battled Splitting time between the
it out in competitive games of AHL and ECHL in his first pro
mini-sticks, emulating the ex- season and inking an entry-
ploits of their NHL heroes. level deal with Columbus in
But it was Carey Price’s all- February 2022, Greaves made
world performance at the 2007 his NHL debut that April. He set
World Junior Championship a Blue Jackets franchise record
that steered Greaves head-on for a goaltending debut with 46
into a love affair with stopping saves on 49 shots in a loss to
pucks. “Every year during the the Toronto Maple Leafs, just an
world juniors, my brother and hour or so from his hometown.
I would play mini-sticks while “No matter what, your first
we were watching the world NHL game is going to be re-
ally special and one you’ll never
forget,” Greaves said. “But to
be able to play it in Toronto so
close to home with so many
friends and family was some-
thing I was really grateful for.
You know, I feel like I’m the one
who plays the games, but there
are so many other people that
are a part of it. To be able to
kind of share that with every-
body was super special.”
Entering his fourth year in
the Columbus system, Greaves
has cemented himself as a
steady hand and wild-card con-
tender for NHL minutes along-
side the tandem of Elvis Merz-
likins and Daniil Tarasov.
But for a player who was un-
drafted and has had to earn ev-
MIDDLE: PHOTO BY TORONTO MARLIES; TOP: PHOTO BY CLEVELAND MONSTERS

ery inch of ice he’s been given,

Greaves owns every moment,
counting every shot and savor-
ing every second.
“For me, I love playing
juniors, just trying to imitate er in the Greater Ontario Jr. B EARNING THE OPPORTUNITY games,” he said. “I love learning
whatever we were seeing on League with the Cambridge The undrafted Greaves has steadily about the game and just focus-
TV,” Greaves said. “Price was Winter Hawks and Guelph Hur- moved up the ranks and could see ing on improving. That’s kind of
amazing. I always wanted to be ricanes before landing with some NHL action this year. where my attention always is,
a goalie in mini-sticks after see- the OHL’s Barrie Colts in 2018, whether that’s in Columbus or
ing him and how calm he was where he sat under the learning Cleveland or wherever it is. For
in the net and the way he car- tree of two of the game’s greats. me, it’s just about continuing to
ried himself. I was such a fan of “Dale Hawerchuk was our about being pros and what it improve and trying to help the
watching him. After that, I was head coach when we were in took. That was something I’m team win hockey games. I’ve
hooked on playing goalie.” Barrie, so he obviously had an super fortunate to have. And been enjoying that experience.
Greaves steadily progressed amazing career and was a really then our goalie coach was Billy I’m excited for the next phase of
through the ranks of Ontario special person,” Greaves said. Smith, who also had an amazing that process to keep my focus
hockey, first as a budding start- “He taught all of us so much career. We were really fortu- in those places.”

THE GOA LI E I SS UE THE HOCK E Y NE W S | 69 |

 ECHL

IDAHO STEELHEADS

SHOLLY YOU’RE
NOT SERIOUS?
Steelheads fan-favorite Tomas Sholl returns to Idaho
in unconventional hybrid coach/player role BY JACOB STOLLER

T
OMAS SHOLL WAS A little tween his rookie season, 2017-
weary when he saw the 18, and 2019-20, Sholl ranked
Idaho Steelheads were first in save percentage (.930) TOP: PHOTO BY IDAHO STEELHEADS; MIDDLE: PER ELIASSON/SODERTALJE SK
hyping his return to Boise. and shutouts (12) among ECHL
“When I saw the video on Ins- goalies who played at least 40 time goalie, I’d make a lot more STEEL A LEGEND
tagram, I was kind of thinking, games. His 12 shutouts were money if I went back to Europe. Sholl hasn’t played for Idaho since
‘Uh, maybe we should temper also an Idaho franchise record. This is more about opening up 2019-20, but the franchise’s shutout
expectations,’ ” he said with a He parlayed his ECHL suc- post-playing career options.” leader remains a local hero.
laugh. cess into a brief AHL stay before Sholl and his wife, Delaney,
The 30-year- spending the past few years are expecting their first child
old is already a overseas in Italy, Slovakia and this fall, and they wanted to re-
legend in Boise, Sweden. So, what brought Sholl turn to North America. It was hands-on liaison between the
where he earned back to the U.S.? “I’m not com- only fitting that it would be in coaching staff and the team’s
ECHL goaltender-of-the-year ing in to be the starting goalie,” Boise, where they own a house netminders. Sholl isn’t exactly
honors in 2020. But he wasn’t he said. “I’m coming in to be a – as do Delaney’s parents – and sure what his day-to-day life
always destined for success – third goalie/goalie coach.” where Sholl runs a goaltending will look like. Will he lace up
starting in the Southern Pro Wait, what? school. the pads every practice? Will he
League after a lackluster NCAA “It’s sort of a transition from While Sholl will officially be skate out in a tracksuit and put
career at Bowling Green State. being a full-time player,” Sholl listed as a goalie on the roster, the goalies through workouts?
Then, he got to the ECHL. Be- said. “If I wanted to be a full- the plan is for him to act as a That is yet to be determined.

| 70 | T HE H OC K EY NE WS T HE GOAL I E I SSU E
 ECHL
But Steelheads coach Everett goalie coach,” Sholl said. “We
Sheen doesn’t envision Sholl had a guy in Texas, Jim Bedard,
being completely in the shad- who would come down maybe
ows. “He’s going to end up play- once a year. But aside from that,
ing more than he thinks,” Sheen we were on our own. It’s going
said. “When you’ve got a goalie to be beneficial to get these guys
of that caliber, you’re not going some consistent coaching. For
to not play him. Say he played the team, too, they know that if
the whole year for us; he’s cer- someone gets hurt or called up,
tainly good enough to carry us I’m there. And they’ll have the
to a championship.” best third goalie in the league.”
When Sholl proposed this Sholl has already had sev-
arrangement, Sheen was fully eral conversations with AHL
sold on it. The Steelheads, the Texas’ goaltending develop-
ECHL affiliate of the Dallas ment coach, Ryan Daniels. After
Stars and Texas Stars, are due initially reaching out to assure
to have at least a stopper or two him that he wasn’t there to steal
assigned to them from the AHL. playing time from the organiza-
Designated goalie coaches tion’s goalie prospects, Sholl
are a rarity in the ECHL, where has had frequent phone calls
the team staffs don’t run deep. with Daniels in preparation for
“I don’t know anything about this season.
goaltending,” said Sheen with “When guys are sent down,
a laugh. “It’s going to help quite a lot of the time, they’ll be told
a bit to have someone out there to not look at it like a punish-
helping our goalies with the ment and that it’s an opportu-
technical aspects. I can’t give nity to develop,” Sholl said. “But
them any direction. I don’t when you send a guy down and information, it’s going to go POST TO POST-PLAYING
know any goaltending drills.” there’s no goalie coach, how is a long way towards guys not Sholl says his return to North America
Having dedicated guidance he really supposed to develop? feeling like they’re just being is about setting himself up for life
isn’t something Sholl was af- Having someone there on a shipped off to the ECHL and after he hangs up his skates.
forded during his initial ECHL full-time basis, almost like a that nobody cares about them.”
stint. “When I was playing here, surrogate, that’s going to com- This won’t be Sholl’s first
the Steelheads didn’t have a municate with them and share coaching experience. During
the pandemic, he opened “You show up to the rink, prac-
up a pair of goalie-coach- tice, work out, and then you’re
ing companies – Ida- pretty much out of there by
Hockey and Sholly’s Goal- around noon each day.”
ies – and he continues Sholl’s plans for life after
to run clinics for young hockey in Boise stretch far be-
stoppers across the state. yond his goaltending school.
“I’m pretty much the only He’s applying for firefighter
goalie coach in the city school in Boise, and if he’s ac-
of Boise, if not the entire cepted, his training could begin
state of Idaho,” Sholl said. in March. Sheen has braced for
His camps are another the possibility of Sholl having
reason he’s coming back to leave mid-year, although the
to Boise. Sholly’s Goalies coach has an inkling that the
TOP: PHOTO BY IDAHO STEELHEADS; BOTTOM: PER ELIASSON/SODERTALJE SK

is currently undertak- fire department, which is filled

ing a massive expansion, with several ex-Steelheads,
with the company break- would allow Sholl to finish up
ing ground on a training the ECHL season first. But Sholl
facility at Idaho IceWorld. and Sheen have agreed to cross
Plans are already under- that bridge once they get there.
way to build a designated For now, ‘Sholly’ is all-in on
room – with a 20-by-20 helping Idaho in any way he
sheet of real ice for the can. “I’d like to stay involved
goalies and synthetic ice with the Steelheads as much
for the shooters and in- as possible for years to come,”
structors – exclusively for he said. “I really do love the
goalie training. “One of team. I love the city. No mat-
the beautiful things about ter where I’ve been since I’ve
being a pro hockey player played there, it’s always kind of
or coach is that you have a been the team in my heart. I’ve
lot of free time,” Sholl said. always felt like a Steelhead.”

THE GO ALI E I S SU E THE HOCK E Y NE WS | 7 1 |

 WHL
UPPER WEST SIDE
Mynio’s performance in Seattle was
noticed by Vancouver, as the Canucks
drafted him in the third round in 2023.

145. In his second WHL season,

Mynio got into all 68 games. A
strong skater with good hockey
sense, he was tasked with play-
ing a defensively responsible
game. Along with 31 points, he
finished with a plus-50 rating,
which tied him with Korchinski
for eighth-best in the league.
But because he played deep
on a roster loaded with older
stars, Mynio didn’t generate
nearly the same buzz as other
‘Dub’ prospects such as Con-
nor Bedard, Zach Benson or
Nate Danielson heading into
the 2023 draft. At least NHL
Central Scouting took notice of
his contributions, though, and
they bumped him from No. 111
in their mid-term rankings up
to No. 62 on their final list of
North American skaters.
On Day 2 of the draft in Nash-
ville, the Vancouver Canucks
took him in the third round
at 89th overall. After going
through development camp
and his first Young Stars tour-
SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS Dylan Guenther and Colton nament, Mynio signed an entry-
Dach were also brought in. level deal in September 2023.

QUIET THUNDER
The plan worked. Seattle Then, he went back to Seattle.
cruised to its second WHL title, Suddenly, the faces in the
then reached dressing room were much
the 2023 Memo- younger. And the Thunder-
rial Cup final. But birds’ season became even
Sawyer Mynio was cast in a defensive role during Seattle’s with so many top more challenging when return-
talents on the ing NHL-drafted forwards Nico
2023 WHL title run, and then his growing game was obscured
cusp of taking the next step in Myatovic and Jordan Gustafson
by the Thunderbirds’ tumble down the standings last season. their careers, it couldn’t last. “I each missed half the year
But he’s a blueliner worth buzzing about BY CAROL SCHRAM think we had, like, 10 to 12 guys due to injuries. The win total
go play professional hockey af- dropped from 54 to 27, and the

W
HEN SAWYER MYNIO ski, Mynio got into 47 regular- ter that season,” Mynio said. goal differential swung from
set out for his first season games as a rookie. He Korchinski jumped straight plus-145 to minus-69 as Se-
WHL training camp then collected 21 games’ worth onto the Chicago Blackhawks as attle finished nine points out of
in the fall of 2021, of valuable playoff experience a 19-year-old, while Allan laced a playoff spot.
he was so sure that it would as the Thunderbirds went on a up his skates with the AHL’s On the back end, Mynio
be a short stay that he packed surprise run to the WHL final. Rockford IceHogs. Along with joined 20-year-old Jeremy Han-
just one suitcase. But after the Building on that success, Lambert, Guenther and Dach, zel as a top-pairing blueliner.
BRIAN LIESSE/SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS

16-year-old earned a spot on Seattle GM Bil La Forge set his key incumbents Reid Schaefer, And he thrived. “I got more
the Seattle Thunderbirds’ de- sights on a championship. In Lucas Ciona, Jared Davidson, chances out there on the ice,”
fense, his father was dispatched November 2022, he acquired Kyle Crnkovic, Luke Prokop Mynio said. “I was (on the first)
to bring the rest of his stuff from 19-year-old left-side rearguard and goalie Thomas Milic also power play (and) PK. Playing
his hometown of Kamloops, B.C. Nolan Allan for a package that turned pro. 30 minutes every single night
On a blueline that gave up the included six draft picks and Seattle’s run to the 2023 Ed helped my game grow. I loved
third-fewest goals in the WHL three players. And before the Chynoweth Cup featured 54 every minute of that.”
and was anchored by 2022 No. trade deadline had passed, elite regular-season wins and a stag- After putting up five goals
7 overall pick Kevin Korchin- forward rentals Brad Lambert, gering goal differential of plus- and 31 points in 2022-23,

| 72 | THE H OC KE Y N EWS T H E GOA L IE I SSU E

 WHL
showed well enough to put pointment, Mynio put the re-
himself in the mix for the 2025 sulting free time to good use.
main event in Ottawa. Two-and-a-half weeks after his
“We played a red-and-white junior season ended, he put on
game, and I thought that was a pro jersey for the first time in
my best game,” he said. “I a 3-1 road win for the AHL Ab-
played really good there. Then botsford Canucks over the Cal-
I played Sweden, and I played gary Wranglers – three weeks
Team USA. I was happy with before his 19th birthday.
my performance. They played “It’s pretty cool, just to play a
me in lots of the big minutes, game,” he said. “Hopefully, next
overtime and stuff like that, so season, I can crack that roster.”
I felt good.” Mynio won’t be AHL-eligible
And while the 2024 playoff for one more year, but he has
miss in Seattle was a disap- already started building rela-

Mynio climbed to 16 goals able to go and wear that jersey.”

and 53 points last season. The camp was split between
He was named to the WHL’s Windsor, Ont., and Plymouth,
U.S. Division’s second all- Mich. Travelling with teammate
star team, then received his and “best buddy” Scott Ratzlaff
first call from Hockey Canada – a World Junior Champion-
with an invite to the World ship vet and 2022 U-18 Hlinka
Junior Summer Showcase. Gretzky Cup gold medallist
“I found out, probably, a – Mynio seized his opportu-
month before I went,” he said. nity. Skating with and against
“It was pretty honoring to be the best in his age group, he

tionships in the Fraser Valley

as he continues to work on
adding a pro-level physique on
his 6-foot-1 frame. During the
summer, he trained alongside
AHL veterans, including John
Stevens and one-time Kam-
loops Blazer Jermaine Loewen,
while working with Abbots-
ford’s strength and condition-
ing coach, John Murray.
“He’s great,” Mynio said of
Murray. “I loved training with
him, so I stayed out there for a
couple months.”
In Seattle this season, Mynio
believes the Thunderbirds will
be on the rise again in coach
Matt O’Dette’s eighth year at
the helm. “Guys are getting
older and stronger, and they’ve
BRIAN LIESSE/SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS

gained lots of experience like I

did,” he said. “When I was 16, I
was just a young guy, not play-
ing much. When I was 17, I was
killing penalties and stuff in
my draft year, playing 20 to 25
minutes a night. I’m sure lots
of guys will take a big step this
year and help our team out.”

THE G OAL IE I SSU E THE HO CKE Y NE W S | 73 |

 QMJHL

And that pursuit began in ear- It might be an easy thing to say,

CAPE BRETON EAGLES
nest with his move to North but to see it develop in front

READY TO
America in 2023. “It was a of you, getting more and more
completely new experience for comfortable with his team-
me,” he said. “I wanted to move mates, it made an impression. I
forward in my career, and, as had no doubt from the start that

BREAK OUT
everybody knows, the QMJHL he’d be our No. 1 at some point.”
is one of the best junior leagues Part of Robitaille’s confi-
in the world. I wanted to com- dence was due to Milota’s per-
pete against the best players formance at the 2023 under-18
my age.” Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Milota
Whether in the crease or an escape room, Jakub Milota has a Despite facing a quicker pace led his club to the gold-medal
and smaller ice – not to mention game on his home soil, and
calm approach that serves him well. And he’ll have plenty of gaining familiarity with his new only an overtime goal by Cana-
chances to use that skill as Cape Breton’s No. 1 BY WILL MACLAREN home and its cultural differenc- da’s Malcolm Spence prevented
es – Milota managed to adapt Czechia from winning the tour-

O
NE OF THE FIRST times figured it all out. He made it his successfully, using athleticism nament. Milota’s overall play at
Jakub Milota made an mission to get out. He’s kind of and a strong ability to read the the event, including a 37-save
impression on his Cape like a silent competitor.” play in front of him to record clinic in the final, made the
Breton teammates, he Indeed, the 18-year-old 18 wins and three shutouts as hockey world take notice.
wasn’t trying to keep his Eagles from Ostrava the understudy to Nicolas Ruc- Another international op-
in a game. In fact, the netmind- in Czechia is a cia. Though it took some time portunity presented itself in the
er was looking for a way out. young man of – when the calendar flipped spring when Milota was named
MIKE SULLIVAN/CAPE BRETON EAGLES

During a team-building activ- few words. And to 2024, his record was below to the Czech roster for the 2024
ity at an escape room in Quebec, it’s not necessar- .500 – the season was, on the under-18 worlds in Finland. It
the players were divided into ily due to language. He gets his balance, a triumph. “Jakub had was, however, a decidedly dif-
small groups. The hunt for free- point across calmly and suc- some rough starts early on,” Ro- ferent experience for the stop-
dom was on. “The first and only cinctly, and he’s perfectly fine bitaille said. “He felt pressure, per. Not only was he sent back
team to get out was Jakub’s,” letting his play speak volumes. and he wanted to do well. That across the Atlantic to compete
said coach Louis Robitaille. “He Just like that day in the escape said, as soon as he got here, he for his country while his Eagles
just took the (instructions) and room, Milota is on a mission. began growing on a daily basis. embarked on their longest

| 74 | T HE HOC KEY N E WS THE GOA LI E I SSUE

 QMJHL
playoff run in 17 years, but and made a semifinal run
his country came up short in 2024. It’s a trend they
at the event, losing a 3-2 hope to continue with
squeaker to rival Slovakia Milota as the go-to guy
in the quarterfinal. in net. Just as his coach
Though he’s always a predicted, Milota is now
person of few words, he the unquestioned No. 1
was particularly pensive thanks to an off-season
when trying to think of deal that sent the over-
how to describe an ex- ager Ruccia to the Char-
perience he’d rather not lottetown Islanders.
relive. “It wasn’t a perfect Milota, who credits
tournament for me or for his returning teammates
the team,” he said bluntly. with helping him adapt
“Our expectations were to life in North America,
very high. It was a good sees the potential in front
opportunity to learn from of him. “We have a really
those mistakes and move good defense,” he said.
forward, though.” “Through the season, it’s
Move forward he has. hard to do it yourself.
The first step in the right Our team is very close
direction occurred in to one another. I’m really
June when the Nashville grateful for that.”
Predators drafted him in Robitaille understood
the fourth round (99th something had to give in
overall). “It was one of the Cape Breton crease,
the best experiences of but everyone on the team
my life,” Milota said. “Ev- is optimistic about what
ery young hockey player’s lies ahead. “(The players)
dream is to be drafted. I’m didn’t want to see Ruccia
so grateful. I know it’s just go, but they knew where
another step closer to my the situation stood, and
it made sense to all of
CAPE CRUSADER us because we had Jakub,” Ro-
With Milota between the pipes, bitaille said. “Having him take
the Eagles are a team to watch over the starting role wasn’t
in the QMJHL this season. a concern for us for a mo-
ment. We saw him develop as
a rookie, then get drafted into
the NHL. Now, he’s our guy. We
dream of reaching the NHL. For don’t expect him to be the best
a goalie, it’s one of the best or- starter in the world right away.
ganizations to be a part of.” We want him to grow into it.
TOP: JAIMELEE GOUTHRO/CAPE BRETON EAGLES; BOTTOM: MIKE SULLIVAN/CAPE BRETON EAGLES

He got a taste of NHL life at He’s going to get better, just like
this year’s development camp the rest of the team.”

FOR A GOALIE, IT’S ONE OF

THE BEST ORGANIZATIONS TO
BE A PART OF – Jakub Milota on being drafted by Nashville
with the Preds, but before Milota is also taking a long-
reaching big-league heights, term outlook and is focused on
he’ll spend another season with earning some team hardware. “I
an organization that’s proven think this year’s team has a lot
impressive in its own right the in front of us,” he said. “We want
past couple of years. After miss- to go as far as possible. We want
ing the playoffs twice in a row, to win the league, but we need
the Eagles have improved in to focus from the first game.
each of the past two seasons There’s a long way to go.”

THE GO ALI E I SS UE THE HO CK EY NEW S | 75 |

 OHL
and focusing only on While Canada was an undeni-
what he can control. “I able force in the tournament,
just want to help this the team pushed the pace and
team on a deep play- constantly tried to create of-
off run and to win the fense, which left
OHL championship,” them suscep-
Ivankovic said. “The tible to giving up
stats will take care of chances in their
themselves. Showing own end. But
NHL teams that I can Ivankovic was ready to stand
be a big part of helping tall and mute any chances
a team win is all I need coming his way. “Winning any
to do in my draft year.” medal in your country’s jersey
Ivankovic started is really special, and we had a
the year by putting great group,” Ivankovic said.
his winning pedigree “Winning gold set me up for the
on display at the U-18 year in Brampton. It gave me
Hlinka Gretzky Cup in confidence heading into train-
Edmonton in August, ing camp, and it’s part of why
where he was the un- my expectations for the year
questioned starter for are an OHL championship.”
Team Canada. He took Ivankovic is excited to enter
on a leadership role the season as the undisputed
after being Canada’s No. 1, but the relationship
third-stringer at the he and Leenders developed
under-18 World Cham- throughout last year won’t be
pionship in April. He forgotten. The duo became
BRAMPTON STEELHEADS saw what it took to win gold good friends and battled fierce-
and brought that experience to ly in practice, pushing each oth-

WINNING HABIT
the Hlinka Gretzky. er to improve every day.
Ivankovic was dominant in That competitive friend-
Edmonton. Allowing just three ship was on full display in the
goals in four games, Ivankovic Steelheads’ opening game of
posted MVP-worthy numbers the season, a home date against
Jack Ivankovic is one of the top-rated goalies for the 2025 draft. en route to the gold medal. the Brantford Bulldogs in which
But first, he’s focused on an OHL title run BY TONY FERRARI Leenders was in the crease op-
posite Ivankovic. The game

A
S AN OHL ROOKIE last The 17-year-old netminder ended up going Ivankovic’s
season, Jack Ivankovic says he isn’t worrying about his STRONG AS STEEL way, as he posted a 21-save
stepped into a unique sit- own statistical success or per- Coming off a golden summer, shutout in a 7-0 Brampton win.
uation for his hometown sonal accolades. He’s just let- Ivankovic wants to keep his winning “We always pushed each other
Mississauga Steelheads, joining ting his draft year come to him ways going in Brampton. in practice,” Ivankovic said.
a club that already “Whether it was individual
had a young start- drills or 3-on-3, neither of
ing goalie in Ryerson us wanted to lose.”
Leenders and a bur- Taking on his former
geoning roster with crease partner is just the
high expectations. first step toward achieving
Even as the No. 7 pick his goals. Ivankovic plans
in the 2023 OHL draft, to let his play on the ice
Ivankovic wouldn’t be and team accolades do the
handed anything. talking as he embarks on
A year later, with the most important year
the team moving of his young career.
down the road to He enters the year
Brampton, Ivankovic viewed as a second-
is the starter after rounder for the 2025 NHL
PHOTOS BY BRAMPTON STEELHEADS

Leenders was traded draft, but a good showing

in the off-season. would see that stock rise.
And the Steelheads Ivankovic’s knack for win-
now have title ex- ning and making big saves
pectations. On top will go a long way toward
of all that, it is also making that happen – and
Ivankovic’s NHL propelling the Steelheads
draft-eligible season. to an OHL title.

| 76 | THE HOC KEY NE WS TH E GO A LIE ISSUE

 OHL
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

DAWN OF
A NEW DAY
Bryan Crawford is aiming to usher in a new era of OHL
engagement as he takes over the commissioner chair:
‘Personality creates a connection’ BY TONY FERRARI

W
HEN NEW OHL com- tario University Athlet-
missioner Bryan ics, Basketball Canada
Crawford stepped into and, most recently, Golf
the role, he under- Canada. The Hamilton
stood he had big shoes to fill. native has had his hand
After all, his predecessor had in the business side of
held the job since before the sports for as long as he
42-year-old Crawford was born. can remember. Craw-
Luckily for ford wants to lean on
Crawford, David his experience as an
Branch – who athlete and as an ex-
served as the ecutive to help the OHL
league’s com- reach its full potential.
missioner from 1979 to 2024 His goal early on is to
– has been heavily involved modernize and contin-
in the transition process. “To ue to grow the league.
have the opportunity to have He wants to showcase
him around and consult with the on-ice product the
him and have his support and OHL has to offer while
knowledge, in this initial transi- continuing to put the
tion and certainly in the initial league’s personalities on dis- REGIME CHANGE
couple of years,” Crawford said, play. The latter part of that goal For the first time since 1979, the OHL
“was actually a very big selling hasn’t always been a focus in has a new commish as Crawford takes
feature to wanting to take the hockey. “I mean, hockey play- over for longtime leader David Branch.
opportunity and fill the role.” ers are notorious for not hav-
Crawford is excited to lead a ing personalities that are all
new era and build on what the that divergent from each other,
OHL has done well in recent right?” he joked. “That’s some- With the understanding that
years. The league is coming thing that people really want to personalities add significant
off of one of its most success- see. That personality creates a value to teams, the league and
ful seasons ever. According to connection to that individual, players’ personal brands, Craw-
Crawford, the 2023-24 cam- to their story. And it gives peo- ford is aiming to create avenues
paign saw the third-highest to- ple something to hold on to or for players to showcase who
tal attendance in OHL history, something to cheer for.” they are. He wants the OHL to
with its most fans since 2014- Changing the culture won’t be the steward of storytelling
15. There were record stream- be easy. Players have reserva- for the players.
ing numbers, and the OHL’s tions about saying the wrong Crawford’s main goal is to
overall business is as good as thing or not being accepted if build a space for players to
ever, fully recovered from the they don’t fit into the cookie- grow – both on and off the ice.
hit that every sports league cutter personality the sport has The former pro football player
took during the pandemic. long preferred. “Part of what is ready to help bring the world
Crawford is a former CFL our game needs is to continue of modern sports and market- student-athletes as we have,”
running back who was heav- to lean into making sure players ing to the major-junior ranks. Crawford said. “That’s ultimate-
ily involved with that league’s feel comfortable, first and fore- “My ultimate vision for the ly what the league is about.
players’ association, helping most, to kind of share and be league is that we’re a best- We’re about developing young
to represent the players in col- their authentic selves,” Craw- in-class league that’s revered people. That was honestly one
PHOTOS BY OHL

lective bargaining and union ford said. “That you can be au- around the world for what can of the biggest draws to coming
issues. After he retired, he held thentic in a way that is unique be done in sports at this level to this role was the opportunity
leadership positions with On- and different and special.” and what can be done with to work in that environment.”

THE GO ALI E I S SU E THE HOC K E Y NE W S | 7 7 |

 NCAA
gram that has produced elite
talents such as T.J. Oshie, Brock
Nelson and Gigi Marvin (for
old-schoolers, Henry Boucha
and the Christian brothers also
played for Warroad back in the
1960s and ’70s).
Playing in the state’s small-
school bracket, Warroad made
the final two years in a row
with Slukynsky in the crease,
losing to Hermantown in 2022
and Mahtomedi in 2023. Never-
theless, it was a time the goal-
tender will never forget. “Grow-
ing up in Warroad, from the
time you’re four or five years
old, you’re watching those
high-school games,” he said.
“So to be able to play there for
three years and play in a cou-
ple championships is a dream
come true. I wish we could’ve
won one, but it was a really
cool experience, and I’m glad I
played my senior year there.”
Now, Slukynsky is in another
Midwestern locale for his next
challenge: the NCAA. He’s suit-
ing up for Western Michigan
this season, where the Bron-
cos benefitted from a recruit-
Despite being a USHL rookie
ing coup. Originally, Slukynsky
last season, Slukynsky was
was committed to Northern

MARISSA SHIOCK/FARGO FORCE

the league’s top goalie and
Michigan, but all three Wild-
led Fargo to the Clark Cup.
cats coaches left in the summer,
meaning the netminder was
free to enter the transfer portal.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS During Fargo’s march to the Older brother Grant had just

HAMMER TIME
Clark Cup title, Slukynsky was completed his freshman sea-
even better, rocking a 1.69 GAA son at NMU, but Grant started
and .931 SP while playing all of
the Force’s 12 playoff games.
During the regular season,
Hampton Slukynsky – or ‘Hammer’ to his friends – Slukynsky had shared the
crease with USHL veteran An-
takes his puck-stopping talents to Western Michigan ton Castro, and their teamwork
after a dominant season in the USHL BY RYAN KENNEDY helped the younger netminder
get accustomed to the circuit.

E
VER SINCE HE WAS a kid, said. “Some rinks in the USHL “For me, being my first year out
Hampton Slukynsky has didn’t allow it, but she’d always of high-school hockey in Min-
been nicknamed ‘Ham- put it up to take a picture until nesota, it was an eye-opener at
mer.’ When Slukynsky someone took it down.” the start of the season, just how
started playing goaltender In Fargo, where Slukynsky big the jump was,” said Slukyn-
around age seven or eight, his helped the Force win a champi- sky, 19. “One thing I took away
mother would stick a foam onship last year, the folks at the from it was how consistent you
hammer to the glass behind his arena were more than happy had to be because that league is
crease, and that to see the hammer posted up so tight, even though we were
practice has con- whenever the kid was in the the best team.”
tinued through- crease. Indeed, despite being a Drafted in the fourth round
out the netmind- rookie, Slukynsky led the USHL (118th overall) by the Los An-
er’s developing with a 1.86 goals-against aver- geles Kings in 2023, Slukynsky
career – depending on how the age and .923 save percentage, made a name for himself play-
local rink crew felt about it. garnering goaltender-of-the- ing for Warroad High School
“She still does it,” Slukynsky year honors in the process. in northern Minnesota, a pro-

| 78 | THE HOC K EY NE W S T H E G OA LIE ISSUE

 NCAA
cited about both the brothers.” sistency both on and off the ice
Western Michigan has made (plus his edgework, since he
the NCAA tournament three believes you can never be too
years running, which was at- good at skating).
tractive to Hampton, while the In terms of NHL players
coaching staff and the chance Slukynsky watches, his fa-
to play with his brother were vorites run the gamut from
also positives. Much like in the obvious to the intriguing.
Fargo, Slukynsky will have the “Right now, obviously Sergei
benefit of an older netminder Bobrovsky with the Stanley
to share the crease with, this Cup run,” he said. “But I also
time in fifth-year NCAA vet like Casey DeSmith. He’s re-
Cameron Rowe – a USA Hockey ally quick. Juuse Saros is fun to
National Team Devel-
opment Program alum
who played two years
at Wisconsin before
decamping for West-
ern Michigan.
Ferschweiler likes
the idea of having
competition in net and
said Rowe was excited
as well. Slukynsky may
be an incoming fresh-
man, but his coach
knows the talent he
brings to the campus
in Kalamazoo. “His
to look elsewhere, and the pair LOOKING AHEAD most important skill
ended up choosing Western Slukynsky has high hopes for Western set is his calm,” Fer-
Michigan. “He’s an elite goal- Michigan this year, and he’s a good schweiler said. “He’s
tender and has a history of bet to join Team USA at the WJC. unfazed by the things
stopping pucks,” said Broncos that go on in front of
coach Pat Ferschweiler. “So him. It’s a very impres-
when he got into the portal, a sive quality, especially
lot of teams were excited about arship money, so that put us in for a young man. He
trying to get him. We had a cou- the conversation, but we also has a lot of trust in
ple things that were attractive needed a center. Hampton is a his style, in himself,
to, not only Hampton, but Grant prized goalie, but Grant is also and it shows. You can
as well. We still had some schol- a really good player. We’re ex- feel it. A puck goes
by him and he
doesn’t change,
he doesn’t blame.
He has that next-
puck mentality.
As a person, he
carries himself very well, watch the way he moves and
and his competitiveness is controls himself, holding his
really impressive.” edges. I’ll throw Igor Shesterkin
Slukynsky may miss a in there, too. He was really fun
few games in the winter, to watch in the playoffs.”
as he’s a strong candidate Playing in the NCHC, West-
to make Team USA for the ern Michigan will face tough
world juniors. competition all season, and if
At 6-foot-1, Slukynsky the Broncos want to make a
has just enough size to deep playoff run, they’re going
be forecasted as a future to need all hands on deck, in-
NHLer, but it’s important cluding the Slukynsky brothers.
that he prides himself on The big question, of course, is
his skating, flexibility and whether Hampton’s mom will
athleticism. He improved bring the hammer to Lawson
his ability to read plays Arena. “I’m sure it will be up,”
while in Fargo and con- Slukynsky said. “I’m sure she’ll
tinues to work on his con- find a way.”

THE G OAL IE I SSU E THE HO CK EY NE W S | 79 |

 INTERNATIONAL

JOKERIT

BACK TO WHERE
IT ALL BEGAN
At 40, Valtteri Filppula returns to Jokerit to help his alma mater
graduate from Finland’s second-tier league BY RISTO PAKARINEN

V
ALTTERI FILPPULA, THE next year, led by the team’s star
most decorated Finnish – a baby-faced, speedy winger
player in history, isn’t named Teemu Selanne – Jokerit
quite done with hockey won the Finnish title. Hockey reunion: Filppula
yet. The 40-year-old center and Jokerit quickly became a played for Jokerit before
longtime NHLer recently signed force in Finnish hockey, win- departing for the NHL
a one-year deal with Jokerit, ning the league championship nearly 20 years ago.
with whom he made his pro five times – and reaching the
debut in 2003. final on another two occasions
Making it more – in an 11-year span. Filppula The team made its long- ly,” Filppula said. “Jokerit has
remarkable is the was on the team that made the awaited domestic re-debut always been close to my heart,
fact Jokerit now final in 2005, but the 2002 title last season, when the Finnish and it was from here that I left
plays in the Finn- was the last time Jokerit hoist- federation opened the door for for the NHL once. When I wore
ish second division, the Mestis. ed the Liiga championship tro- Jokerit to join the Mestis. the Jokerit sweater, I was one
Oh, and Filppula will report- phy, the Canada Bowl. Signing the only Finn in the of the youngest players on the
edly play for free – though that’s In 2013, Harkimo sold ‘Triple Gold Club’ (wins of the team, and now I’ll be the oldest.
a matter of interpretation. Jokerit’s arena and 49 percent Stanley Cup and both World I remember how much I learned
Jokerit chairman Mik- Championship and from the more experienced
ko Saarni explained Olympic gold med- players and hope that I can help
Filppula would re- als) will surely give some of the young players on
VALTTERI
ceive part-owner- FILPPULA Jokerit the boost they this team.”
ship in lieu of salary. need on their path to Filppula will also wear the
“Filppula won’t be a promotion. “This is a ‘C’ this year with Jokerit. “Fun-
burden to our player great moment for us nily enough, I’ve never been
budget,” Saarni said. and for Finnish hock- a captain on a club team, only
“Besides the Jokerit ey in general,” Saarni on Team Finland a couple of
shares, Filppula won’t said. “It’s also a great times,” he said. “I’m not the
get a salary from the opportunity for us. most vocal guy in the room, but
club. He wants to be a About a year ago, we I hope to lead by example.”
part of taking Jokerit created a few scenar- A lot has changed since Filp-
back to the top for the ios for our future, and pula last played in Finland. For
right reasons. There this is the best one.” example, he’ll spend hours on
are some bonuses Playing for Geneve- the bus, travelling to small are-
in the contract, but Servette last season, nas to play in front of hundreds,
those are ones that Filppula helped make not thousands, of spectators.
the club insisted on.” history by leading his However, there are some fa-
The Helsinki-based team to become the miliar faces around the team.
team has something first Swiss side to win Former NHLer (and his former
of a checkered past. the Champions Hock- Team Finland roommate) Ossi
Founded in 1967, they won the of the club to Russian oligarchs ey League. That came following Vaananen is one of them. “I’ve
Finnish title in 1973 before fad- and pulled the team out of the a National League title in 2023. been very impressed with
ing into obscurity – and several Liiga to join the KHL. In 2019, According to Filppula, he first (Filppula),” Vaananen said.
times to the brink of bankrupt- he then sold the club to Jari had to ensure he was still mo- “He could’ve signed with any
cy – and being relegated from Kurri. Kurri had been Jokerit’s tivated to continue his career. team, but he wanted to return
the top league in 1987. GM since 2014 and continued But once he knew he still had to Jokerit. He doesn’t want
MIKKO TAIPALE/JOKERIT

Even though the team earned in that role through 2022, when the drive, Jokerit was the only any special treatment; he just
promotion back to the top Jokerit pulled out of the KHL choice. “We made initial contact wants to be one of the guys.”
league, they again faced bank- after several team sponsors in June, and after I had skated a Concluded Saarni: “This is
ruptcy when Harry Harkimo raised objections due to the little and I knew I still wanted to the best thing that could have
bought the club in 1991. The Russian invasion of Ukraine. play, things moved on smooth- happened to us.”

THE G OA LI E I SS UE T HE HOCK E Y NE WS | 8 1 |
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 THE COUNTRY AND THE GAME:
30,000 MILES OF HOCKEY STORIES

N THE WANING DAYS of the pandemic, THN’s

WITH ITS LOVE FOR THE GAME AND editor at large Ronnie Shuker embarked on an eight-
month cross-Canada road trip in search of all things

LARGER-THAN-LIFE CHARACTERS hockey. In his trusty four-wheeled friend ‘Gumpy,’

named after Hall of Fame goalie Gump Worsley, Shuker

– INCLUDING THEIR AFFINITY FOR ventured from coast to coast to coast, through all 13
provinces and territories, visiting more than 50 hockey
towns in the country. He played, watched and talked about the game
PROFANITY – FLIN FLON IS A with all the puckheads he met along the way, from pros and semi-pros
PHOTO BY RONNIE SHUKER

to beer-league veterans and fans. The following excerpt is taken from

ONE-OF-A-KIND HOCKEY TOWN his book The Country and the Game: 30,000 Miles of Hockey Stories,
published by Sutherland House Books in Toronto and set for release on
Oct. 15. The excerpt picks up Shuker as he’s making his way through
BY RONNIE SHUKER the Prairies on his way to Flin Flon, Man., home of the legendary
Bombers and their unique – and talkative – cult following.

| 82 | THE HO CKE Y NE WS T H E G OA L IE ISSUE

 BOOK EXCERPT

I am now far enough north tion leads to hockey. They call Weyburn Red Wings. Play- follow it intensely, whether lis-
in Saskatchewan that it makes it Bomber Talk. ers collect their shoes from tening on the radio or just talk
sense to turn northeast back I drive past the large statue of the cubbyholes outside the at the mine.”
across the Manitoba border “Flinty” that greets people com- dressing room (no footwear Flin Flon so self-identifies
to Flin Flon, named after Jo- ing into town, and then another is allowed inside). Coach and with its hockey club that to
siah Flintabbatey Flonatin, a of him riding a submarine on general manager Mike Reagan, talk about the team is to talk
fictional character in a novel the eastern edge of Ross Lake. clad in a Bombers jumpsuit, about the town. The team actu-
by British author J. E. Preston I check into my motel and drive comes out and leads me to one ally predates Flin Flon, which
Muddock. Flin Flon is a town of to the old Whitney Forum, built of the lounges. wasn’t incorporated until
talkers. But it is a certain kind by Flin Flon’s main employer, “It’s a lifestyle, it’s a culture 1933, by six years (although it
of talk that only happens here. Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting. here, the Bombers,” he says. wouldn’t be named the Bomb-
It covers all topics but converg- When I arrive, the Bomb- “We’ll have probably 700 to 800 ers until 1936).
es into one. History, tradition, ers have just wrapped up their people here tonight, and there The Bombers have a mythol-
people, the mine, the weather, morning skate ahead of their are Bomber fans that don’t ogy all their own, one borne of
music, sex – every conversa- game that night against the come to the games but they place. It is impossible to export

THE GO ALI E I S SU E THE HOCK E Y N EW S | 8 3 |

 THE COUNTRY AND THE GAME:
30,000 MILES OF HOCKEY STORIES

over into Saskatchewan. The that our guys get an opportu-

Bombers play in the Saskatche- nity to come close together on
wan Junior Hockey League. For the road.”
most teams in the league, road I follow Mike back to the
games are an hour drive out dressing room. Everything
and an hour back home. For the about the Bombers, their logo,
Bombers, short trips are three the inspirational quotes on
to four hours away. Life is lived the walls, their blue-collar,
on the road aboard the bus. fan-friendly playing style, the
Their longest drive is Estevan, arena they play in – it all mim-
15 minutes from the American ics the mining mentality of the
border, 11 hours away. Road town. On the inside door, a sign
trips often feature four games reminds players, “Through
in five nights or three in three, this door walks the heart of a
getting back into Flin Flon any- champion.” In the team’s gym,
where from two to five o’clock “Nobody outworks the Bomb-
in the morning. One of Mike’s ers.” Where the players dress,
main recruiting requirements a large maroon rug, with the
during the summer is to look words “Built on Passion,” cov-
for players who can handle the ers most of floor, mirroring the
rigors of the road. fluorescent sign above it on
“Our road trips are long, the ceiling. Above a large TV is
and some people see that as a a moose rack from a Bombers
disadvantage,” he says. “Don’t super fan, Clarence Pettersen,
get me wrong, it’s tougher, who donated it to the team a

PHOTOS BY RONNIE SHUKER

but I also look at it as it pre- week before he chose to get the
pares us for playoffs. When shot to end his life because of
playoff time comes, we’re used cancer. The signatures of every
to the grind of the road, where- Bomber who’s ever graduated
as some teams aren’t. I also from the team as a 20-year-old
look at it from the perspective covers the plywood ceiling of

it beyond the bor- WELL, HELLO the Bombers, Mike

ders of Flin Flon. THERE was raised by a
You have to live ‘Flinty’ welcomes single mother who
or have lived here visitors to the town billeted players to
to be a Bombers along with a sign give her young son
fan, and you must explaining the origin male role mod-
love the team as of Flin Flon’s name. els. Mike played
much as the town, four years for the
because the two are as insepa- Bombers in the late 1990s. Af-
rable as the Bombers’ maroon ter four years of college hockey
and white. in the United States and a short
“Bomber Talk is every day,” stint in minor pro leagues that
Mike says. “The coffee shops, took him through the Deep
the theme is the Bombers. Even South and, briefly, Quebec, the
in the summertime, every- Bombers brought him back in
body’s still talking about the 2007 as coach and GM. He’s
previous season or the upcom- been here ever since.
ing season.” Flin Flon lies on the western
Born in Flin Flon and bred on edge of Manitoba and trickles

| 84 | THE HO CK E Y N EWS T H E GO A LIE ISSU E

 BOOK EXCERPT

the laundry room. Everything is

in maroon and white, even the
washer and dryer.
In the early days of the Bomb-
ers, the players did their laun-
dry like miners. “In the mine,
they used to dry their clothes
using a pulley system with
chains,” Mike says. “They had
a pulley at the top and they’d
hang their underwear up there.
Then they’d pull it up and the
heat would dry out their stuff.
They used to have that here. In
the ceiling there were baskets,
you put everything in there.”
I leave Mike to prepare for
the game and drive to CFAR,
the local radio station, to talk
with Flin Flon’s professional
talker, the Bombers’ longtime
play-by-play caller, Rob Hart.
Although the walls outside his
second-floor office are covered
in posters of rock bands and on his belly. Although a long-
musicians, Rob’s tiny, window- time Canadiens fan, he’s wear-
less, half-wood-paneled, half- ing a Florida Panthers T-shirt,
white-brick office is almost all prescient since the Panthers
hockey. It virtually enfolds Rob would make it to the Stanley
as he reclines on his swivel of- Cup final this season.
fice chair, arms crossed, resting “Flin Flon’s got a mystique,
it’s a special place,” Rob says.
“We talk about the history of
the team and the success of the
team, but there’s a lot of char-
acters in the community itself.
That makes it fun to go to the
rink as well.”
“Is it common for people who
leave Flin Flon to keep tabs on
the Bombers?” I ask.
“I get emails from people all
over the world that listen to the
Bomber broadcast. There’s a Raphael Saray, two of the sta- And what position does she
pilot in Japan who used to send tion’s other voices. I’m about to play?
me emails regularly that he was leave when the station’s man- “When the mine started, that
listening and to make sure I put ager, Dianne Russell, pops out wasn’t totally untrue,” Dianne
a shout-out to him during the of her office. says. “It was either you played
broadcast. He lived in Flin Flon “They used to say you’re an instrument, or you played
for a couple of years way back either a hooker or a hockey hockey, or there was a red-light
when, is a fan, and he just lis- player if you’re from Flin Flon,” district, because there was a
tens to the games.” she says. lot of single guys up here back
In an age when cutbacks are It isn’t the first time I’ve then. It was like a shanty town.”
keeping NHL radio broadcast- come across this joke. Birk Flin Flon is a lot like New-
ers at home, Rob still travels Sproxton wrote about it in his foundland. It is rocky and hilly
with the Bombers to almost ev- poem “The Hockey Fan Reflects and has a similar vibe as a
ery road game. Even the Maple On Beginnings:” once one-industry town. Even
Leafs’ radio crew no longer Flin Flon? they say. though that lone industry isn’t
travels with the team, forcing Why the only people I know doing so well, the people still
fans to listen to them call “road from Flin Flon are hockey play- have hope that things will turn
games” off a TV in Toronto, ers and hookers. around for the better, that the
even during the playoffs. My mother is from Flin Flon, town will find its way again.
I go back downstairs and get you say. If nothing else, Flin Flon has
talking with Austin Mattes and Long pause. the Bombers. People here are

THE G OALI E I S SU E THE HOCK E Y NE WS | 85 |

 THE COUNTRY AND THE GAME:
30,000 MILES OF HOCKEY STORIES

people from leaving. They start- Jennifer’s father was hired as a

ed to hire special miners. tenor, and she became a singer
“There’s not much to do in herself. She left Flin Flon at 18
the winter, so two things got when her career took her to At-
a foothold,” Brent says. “One lanta, Georgia. Bomber Talk fol-
was musical culture and musi- lowed her there.
cal theater, and the other was “I had a house gig at this bar,
hockey. If you were a hockey and people would find out that
player, a good hockey player, I was from Flin Flon, and they
they would hire you to work would wanna talk about Bobby
at the mine. They’d work out Clarke, about hockey and Flin
a little deal where you’d get Flon, especially if they were
paid full-time, but you weren’t hockey fans,” Jennifer says.
there when you’re on road “This guy walked up to me once,
trips, and when you were there, and he goes, ‘I heard you’re
you weren’t working when you from Flin Flon.’ And I was like,
were practising. So they got full ‘Yes, I am.’ He said, ‘Bobby
pay. It was almost a little bit Clarke ruined hockey.’ I was
professional.” like, ‘Hey, man, he is a national
They would hire singers, too. f---ing treasure in Canada. I will

happy, content, and HART’S ter-in-law Jennifer

love to talk. If there HEART Hanson, a former
is a difference, The Bombers’ play-by- anthem singer for
Newfoundlanders play man has a deep the Winnipeg Jets
are born story- passion for hockey and in the 1990s. I tell
tellers, while Flin the town. His packed them I’ve just come
Flonners are born office is proof. from the radio sta-
talkers. tion.
“Who are you talking to “So you’ve talked to all the
next?” Raphael asks. professional talkers,” Jennifer
“Brent Lethbridge, you know says.
him?” “I was wondering if every-
“Uncle Lefty!” Raphael says. body in Flin Flon is a profes-
“He used to have a TV show, the sional talker.”
fabulous Bomber Show. That “Well, there’s lots.”
was kind of the Bomber hype “People are happy to talk,”
show.” Brent says.
“He’ll give you lots about Both Brent and Jennifer were
the Bombers,” Austin says. “He born in Flin Flon, both are mu-
loves the Bombers, too. He’s a sicians, and both understand
really talkative guy.” the analogy between being in
“Retired insurance sales- a band and playing on a hockey
man,” Raphael says. “Part-time team. In Flin Flon, music and
rock star.” hockey are intertwined.
After dinner, I drive back to As a company town full of
the arena to meet with Brent miners, Flin Flon’s only land
before the game. The concrete link to the rest of the country
walls are half maroon and half used to be the train. No roads
PHOTOS BY RONNIE SHUKER

white with a black stripe in were built to it until the 1950s.

between. The creaky wooden It was a booming mining com-
floor in the lobby, where we munity back then, but it was
sit, is all maroon, as are stack- isolated. Hudson Bay Mining &
ing chairs piled along the walls. Smelting knew it needed to of-
Brent has brought along his sis- fer more than just jobs to keep

| 86 | THE H OC KE Y NE WS T HE GOAL IE I SSUE

 BOOK EXCERPT

posed to say that in Flin Flon!”

Jennifer says.
The name Flin Flon, the cast
of characters and professional
talkers, the combination of
hockey and music, the unusual
border-spanning layout of the
town, the long tradition of the
Bombers, and the lore of Bob-
by Clarke – it has all created a
pop culture cult following of
the team and the town. In the
movie Mystery Alaska, Cana-
dian actor Mike Myers plays a
sports reporter from Flin Flon
named Donnie Shulzhoffer,
who describes the goalie in the
championship game: “He looks
like he’s from the Flin Flon
Bombers.” The town and the
team are also a favorite among
low-budget, straight-to-video
releases, like The Road to Flin
Flon, a 1990s comedy in which
a Californian travels to Flin
Flon to find enlightenment,
and Santa’s Slay, a Christmas
horror comedy in which the
protagonist wears a Bombers
jersey while trying to track
down a murderous rampaging
St. Nick.

not have you speak about him depicts the left-shooting Clarke Clarke was fluently bilingual.
like this.’ ” shooting right-handed. The “When I was a kid, the CBC
Bobby Clarke, the arche- gymnasium at Ecole McIsaac came up with this great brain
typal Bomber. His connection School in town is named after wave,” Brent says. “Toronto’s
to his hometown runs deep. him, and tourists still ask to see playing Philadelphia, ‘Let’s put
Clarke, whose father had been his signature in the Bombers’ a mic on Bobby Clarke.’ ” Much has changed since
a driller in the copper and zinc laundry room. Jennifer laughs hard. She the heydays of both Flin Flon
mines, played three years for At a team function in town, hasn’t heard the story, but she and the Bombers. Once a city
the Bombers before leaving long after he retired, Clarke knows how it will end. of 15,000, Flin Flon is now a
for the Philadelphia Flyers. Al- once referred to himself and “They put a live mic on him, third of that. The mine’s head-
though he lives in Pennsylvania, other Bomber alumni as play- and Andy Van Hellemond, quarters are still in town, but
Clarke still has family in Flin ers who had “Made in Flin Flon who used to come here and the mine itself has moved
Flon, owns property in town, stamped on our ass.” In true referee, was reffing the game,” to Snow Lake about two
and comes back to fish from Flin Flon fashion, Clarke made Brent says. “Bob’s on the bench hours away. The old Glee Club
his cabin some summers. He profanity an art form in hockey. and something goes sideways has closed, the red-light dis-
is all over the Whitney Forum, If, as Gordie Howe once said, all and he says, ‘Andy, you f---ing trict is gone, and the Bombers
including the Bomber Hall of hockey players speak two lan- c-------er!’” haven’t won a championship in
Fame, although a mural of him guages, English and profanity, “Bobby, you’re only sup- 30 years.

THE G OA LI E IS SU E THE HOCK E Y NE WS | 87 |

 THE COUNTRY AND THE GAME:
30,000 MILES OF HOCKEY STORIES BOOK EXCERPT

aren’t shy to remind the play-

ers of that.
“Hit him! Hit him!”
“Come on! Nail these guys!”
“Hit their goalie!”
As a mining community, the
people in Flin Flon expect phys-
ical hockey, and the Bombers
have rigged their rink accord-
ingly. It is 15 feet shorter and
10 feet narrower than regula-
tion size. It is blue-collar hock-
ey played in front of blue-collar
fans in a blue-collar town, and
the Bombers send them home
happy, with a 4-3 win over the
Red Wings.
As is tradition after every
home win, fans heft a couple
of moose legs over the glass. I
watch them slide to center ice,
where a pair of Bombers pick
them up to be placed with all
the others in a freezer in the
team’s dressing room. Several
years ago, the Red Wings kicked
“If there wasn’t a fight at tos. Across from us, WHERE’S games, while the off a bench-clearing brawl with
the bar on Saturday nights, I can see the bright THE REST? Queen looks over the Bombers when they tried to
there was nothing happen- white sign for the Flin Flon fans toss the ice from the steal the moose legs after a loss.
ing,” Jennifer says. “It’s not Bombers’ wall of moose legs on the ice other. I thank Brent and Jennifer
really like that anymore, but fame. Above us, after wins. Once, a Flin Flon is a and begin making my way to
in the ’80s and the ’90s, it was Bombers banners visiting team took the town built on peo- the exit. As I file out with the
like that. I don’t know if it was hang the length of legs, leading to a brawl. ple working un- rest of the crowd, I understand
the hockey bug, I don’t know the rink. At the far derground, getting something Raphael said to me
if it was the small-town vibe, end is written “Welcome to the dirty, clawing a living from the back at the radio station.
but if you didn’t get stoned, Zoo.” This is where Flin Flon’s earth. Fans demand the Bomb- “We don’t have hockey fans
drunk…and in a fight, it just most colorful fans watch the ers play the same way, and they here. We have Bomber fans.”
wasn’t a good weekend, you
PHOTOS BY RONNIE SHUKER

know.”
The three of us go out to
watch the game. I look around Ronnie Shuker is an author, editor, freelance writer and an editor at large for The Hockey News.
He has travelled to places like North Korea, Chernobyl, Transnistria and the Himalayas, where
the arena. Glass-encased Bomb-
he took part in the Guinness World Record for the highest-altitude hockey game ever played.
er jerseys of alumni hang on the He lives in the Greater Toronto Area and plays pickup hockey north of the city.
walls along with old team pho-

| 88 | T HE H OC KEY N EW S T H E GOAL I E I SSU E

 UKRAINIAN HOCKEY

ANASTASIIA SHUMILOVA/ ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION OF UKRAINE

As the war in Ukraine rages on, members of the hockey

community are striving to give youth players some level of
normalcy by getting them back on the ice BY VADYM PLACHYNDA

A
S GEORGII ZUBKO, THE It was Friday, Aug. 16, the fi- featured around 170 kids. It Hockey Canada system with
president of the Ice nal day of the Hockey Dreams was the first camp held dur- detailed scouting reports. The
Hockey Federation of Development Camps, a five-day ing this time of war, and it was event culminated with a Blue
Ukraine, stood in front event that was remarkable in the first-ever select combine vs. Yellow scrimmage game.
of the Shalett Hockey Arena in many ways. Led by Canadian scouting and testing for 13- to Training sessions were
Kyiv, he looked exhausted but coach Nicholas Phelan of Unite 16-year-olds, where Ukrainian stopped several times, with
was all smiles, glowing with joy. Hockey Development, the camp kids were evaluated under the kids and coaching staff going to

| 90 | THE HOC KEY NEW S THE GOA LI E I SSUE

 UKRAINIAN HOCKEY
GEORGII
the cut, along with 40 top pros- ZUBKO
pects recommended by coaches
attending the Select Combine.
Phelan, the camp’s head coach
and an assistant coach on
Ukraine’s national team, vol-
unteered his time and spent his
vacation on Shalett ice, running
sessions and evaluations from
dawn until dusk.
“I am grateful to Nic for what
he has done,” Zubko said. “He
has three little ones at home,
and coming to Kyiv amidst daily
attacks is nothing short of he-
roic. But you should have seen
all the smiles on the kids’ faces
when he took the ice. It meant
the world to them.
“When the war started, for
a moment, we thought there
would be no more hockey, that
there was no place for a game
anymore. But in the very first
NICHOLAS
weeks, we evacuated 1,000 kids PHELAN
with their mothers to European
clubs. It took us a while to come
out of the initial shock, but we
completely re-imagined what
sports can mean during the war
and what it can be. It brings us
together, gives hope and helps
us get through the tough times.
“We saw kids coming to
practices, waiting in the shel-
ter in full uniform with skates
on, hoping to make it to the
ice even for half an hour. Skat-
ing with lights from a diesel
KYIV KINDNESS generator amidst blackouts…
The Shalett Arena was bursting with this is when we realized that
youngsters attending Ukraine’s first hockey couldn’t stop, and we
camp since the start of the war. needed it to help our youth
get through the war. So, we

ern Ukraine, in relatively safer

shelters as the sirens signalled
new air attacks. The camp re-
sumed only after the danger
WE NEEDED IT TO HELP OUR zones. But seeing how much
they want to succeed, how
much joy it brings them, I can-
cleared. The kids, who are ac-
customed to this,
YOUTH GET THROUGH THE WAR. not let them down.
“We chose what I call a,
seemed to take
it better than the SO, WE REGROUPED AND DECIDED ‘Everyone matters strategy,’
where we do everything we
visiting coaching
staff.
Zubko organized the camps
TO FIGHT FOR THE GAME – Georgii Zubko can to maximize every player’s
performance. With such low
resources and small internal
under the umbrella of the competition, we need every
Ukrainian Hockey Dreams single player, and we make sure
Charitable Foundation, and it regrouped and decided to fight ey schools. This is smaller than they can develop to their full
was free for everyone attend- for the game. a single town in Minnesota. potential.”
ing. CCM donated jerseys for “Ukrainian hockey is com- Now, we are down to 17 arenas, Zubko explained that they
the kids. The demand was ex- paratively very small. There with 1,000 players on trans- are trying to eliminate entry
tremely high, with almost 500 were only 29 arenas for the fer practising abroad. We only and training barriers as much
kids signing up, but only the whole country before the war, have about 2,500 kids taking as possible by reusing equip-
first 130 who applied made with 4,000 kids attending hock- to the ice in Central and West- ment, fundraising to subsidize

THE G OAL IE IS SU E TH E HOCK E Y NEW S | 91 |

 UKRAINIAN HOCKEY
POUNDS ALL AROUND
Kids were thrilled to get back on
the ice, and they showed their
appreciation to Zubko and others.

ever grateful to Graeme Roust-

an, Gord Miller, Nicholas Phelan
and Robert Fitzpatrick, with
Steve Thornton from the Bel-
fast Giants, who have helped us
so much. I’ll never forget this.”
Zubko’s efforts are paying
off. Besides the Hockey Dreams
development camps and the
Hockey for Ukraine Canadian
tour of the under-18 team, the
national teams performed well
in international competition
last year. The under-20s took a
silver medal, and the men’s and
women’s national teams won
gold in their divisions of the
World Championship. The men
advanced to Div. I-A.

ice-time costs and extending

partnerships with international
clubs, foundations and corpo- FOR TOO
rate sponsors.
“I am willing to fly and meet
personally with anyone who
LONG, UKRAINE
can donate used arena equip-
ment, no matter how old,” Zub-
HAS BEEN
ko said. “We can make use of
anything here. COMPLACENT
“In these two years of war,
we’ve had to completely change ON THE ICE. IT IS
TIME TO WIN.
our perspective and rebuild the
program under the Western
model, getting rid of the archaic
remains of the Soviet system
and outdated training process. ON THE ICE AND
Our strategic focus is on kids’
hockey because, through them,
we can ensure we will be com-
IN LIFE – Georgii Zubko
petitive three, five, seven years
down the road. If we lose this
generation, we may never be “I want to build a new, win-
able to rebound. ning culture here,” Zubko said.
ANASTASIIA SHUMILOVA/ ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION OF UKRAINE

“We’re working on develop- “For too long, Ukraine has been

ing coaches, introducing the complacent on the ice. It is time
scouting system and opening to win. On the ice and in life.
up amateur and sledge hockey “Nic Phelan has done an out-
for the veterans of war. Our big- standing job. He doesn’t have
gest dream, of course, remains all the numbers on the com-
the rebuilding of infrastruc- bine performance yet, but he
ture, because every arena can munity after 30 years of ‘The raising tours of our under-18 told me some of the kids were
become home to a new hockey Troubles.’ I want to do the same and under-25 national teams in amazing and, with proper guid-
school, an amateur and pro club here, in our cities. Canada. We were able to meet ance, can definitely make it all
and the center for rebuilding “Ukraine has never been very with Gary Bettman, the NHL the way to the national team.
the community. My inspiration connected internationally in commissioner, who expressed I know we are doing the right
is the Belfast Giants club, who hockey circles, but in this short support for our efforts, and that things, and we will keep fight-
used hockey to heal their com- period, we’ve held two fund- inspired us a great deal. I’m for- ing through.”

| 92 | THE HO C KEY N E WS T H E GOA L IE ISSU E

 BUSINESS BROWN HOCKEY MONEY & POWER

B ROW N HO CK E Y

Down Goes Brown

JOHN
BROWN

AFTER MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY AS AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY

IN THE GOALIE GEAR BUSINESS – DATING BACK TO THE EARLY
DAYS WHEN PROTECTING NETMINDERS WAS CONSIDERED
ALMOST RADICAL – JOHN BROWN CUSTOM SPORTING EQUIPMENT
IS CLOSING UP SHOP BY JONATHON JACKSON

A
SHATTERED DREAM at the right time, having the
is an awful thing in right energy, and being crazy
the moment, but it enough to do all the things I did
can also turn out to over the years.”
be a blessing in disguise. That’s But it took being in the
how John Brown looks at it. wrong place at the wrong time
“Honestly, this is what I was to put him on the right track. It
meant to do,” said Brown, the was in Ottawa on Dec. 21, 1970,
namesake of John when Brown’s dream of even-
Brown Custom tual NHL stardom as a goalten-
Sporting Equip- der was left in ruins.
ment, from an of- Newly called up to the Ham-
BROWN: PHOTO BY JONATHON JACKSON

fice in his now-si- ilton Red Wings of the Ontario

lent factory in Collingwood, Ont. Association Major Jr. A Series –
Brown has ended his 54- now the OHL – he watched from
year career in designing and the bench midway through the
manufacturing top-of-the- second period as the Red Wings
line goaltending equipment. fell behind 7-1 to the Ottawa
“I don’t know how it all hap- 67’s. Brown had made his Jr. A
pened, but it did,” Brown said. debut a month earlier and had
“It was being in the right place performed well, holding the

| 94 | TH E HO C KE Y N EW S T HE GO AL IE I SSU E
 in only two more games with also wanted better facial pro-
the Wings after the Ottawa de- tection. If they couldn’t come
bacle. But even though he had to him, he would send them a
been mostly a victim of circum- face-molding kit with instruc-
stance, Brown soon recognized tions. They’d send back the
that his dream of playing in the molds, and he would produce
NHL was over. the masks. With time and free-
But hockey was still very dom to pursue his interest after
much in Brown’s future. Like his competitive playing career
all hockey goalies of his era, had ended, Brown suddenly
he wore rudimentary equip- found that he was a hockey-
ment that barely protected equipment manufacturer.
him. He was accustomed to the He started in his father’s ga-
pain that accompanied the job, rage in the town of Maple, Ont.,
but he had some ideas of how north of Toronto, before moving
things could improve. And, un- to a shop in the Downsview area
like other goalies, he brought of the city and then to another
those ideas to fruition. facility near Pearson Airport.
Brown started by taking a
mold of his own face and cre-
ating his own custom mask, THE FRUIT OF HIS LABORS
which he wore in Jr. B and By the early 1980s, Brown’s business
then in Hamilton. Soon, he was was based out of a former apple
hearing from other goalies who storage facility in Collingwood, Ont.

MASK MARVELS
Two of Brown’s early custom masks.
The top one was his first, which he
wore playing junior in 1970-71.

after he took over in net. And

the 67’s just kept coming after
that, and they kept scoring. By
the time it was over, Brown
had surrendered 11 goals in a
period-and-a-half of hockey.
Ottawa won by the wildly lop-
sided score of 18-3 in what
was believed at the time to be a
league record for most goals in
a game by one team.
“I remember there were a
lot of two-man breakaways, or
no one was covering the guy in
front,” Brown said. “I’m think-
ing, ‘What’s going on here? Are
these guys that good? Am I that
bad? And where’s my team?’ ”
The humiliation was com-
pounded by the Ottawa fans
who, in Brown’s words, “were all
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANICA BROWN/BROWN HOCKEY

going insane. They started sing-

ing, ‘John Brown’s body lies a-
moldering in the grave.’ Chant-
ing that and yelling, ‘Sieve!
Sieve!’ It was shocking. It was a
dream shattered, for sure.”
Montreal Jr. Canadiens score- Years later, Brown learned
less in relief of the Red Wings’ that the Red Wings, a team
No. 1 goalie, Mike Veisor. Now, in turmoil, had deliberately
in Ottawa, he was tapped to re- played poorly that night in the
lieve Veisor again. hope of ridding themselves of
Ottawa scored its eighth goal their coach. It was a small con-
of the game only 19 seconds solation for Brown, who played

THE G OA LI E I SS UE THE HOCK E Y NE W S | 95 |

 BUSINESS BROWN HOCKEY MONEY & POWER

Brown used his earnings to at-

tend the University of Western
Ontario, where he played hock-
ey, earned a history degree and
took some business courses, in-
cluding one class where he was
required to give a presentation
about a business idea. He pre-
sented his own enterprise, to
his professor’s dismay. “At the
end of my speech, the prof said,
‘The chance of this working
is almost nil, but since you’re
already doing it, what can I
say?’ ” Brown said, laughing.
Brown’s next move was to
create chest-and-arm protec-
tors, and then leg pads. He wore
Kenesky pads when he played –
as did every serious goaltender
back then – and he studied how
the pads had been put togeth-
er. “It was fairly easy to make

IN THE GAME
IT WAS Through hard work and tireless travel
– as well as word of mouth – Brown

BEING IN THE was doing good business in the ’90s.

RIGHT PLACE to feel the pain to be convinced

they were doing their jobs.

AT THE RIGHT But the legendary goalie’s

backup was listening, and he

TIME, AND BEING pulled Brown aside and ordered

a chest-and-arm protector for

CRAZY ENOUGH himself. As the older genera-

TRADESHOW: PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANICA BROWN/BROWN HOCKEY; VANBIESBROUCK: RVR PHOTOS-USA TODAY SPORTS
tion of goalies retired from the

TO DO ALL THE game, younger netminders who

were more sensible about safe-

THINGS I DID ty were far more open to Brown

and his growing line of prod-
ucts, which soon also included
– John Brown blockers and trappers.

something a little wider, a little

thinner, a little shorter, a little
this, a little that,” Brown said.
“You listened to what the goal-
ies wanted.”
He was learning what goalies
wanted because he was build-
ing a reputation through word a mask for him, and Lockett One future Hall of Famer, who
of mouth. He spent time as a became the first NHLer to wear Brown doesn’t want to identify,
practice goalie with the WHA’s Brown’s pads while he was with didn’t want to wear the chest
Toronto Toros, where he met the Vancouver Canucks. and arm protector because it
longtime pro Les Binkley and Brown built on these early would have worked too well.
created a mask for him. The successes by visiting NHL train- “He said, ‘If I wore that,
next pro goalie he met was Ken ing camps each fall and seeing I wouldn’t get hurt. And if I
‘Spider’ Lockett, who had met a various teams when they came didn’t get hurt, I wouldn’t be a
kid at a hockey school who wore to Toronto to play the Maple pro goalie,’ ” Brown said, noting JOHN
VANBIESBROUCK
a Brown-manufactured mask. Leafs. It wasn’t easy to convince that many older goalies felt the
Lockett asked Brown to make goalies to take a chance on him. same way – that they needed

| 96 | THE HOC KEY NE WS T H E GOAL I E I SSU E

 BROWN HOCKEY
Brown estimates about
200 NHL goalies have
worn his gear, plus
hundreds of others in
junior and minor pro.

have worn it in minor pro, ju- scaling back to survive. He

nior and youth leagues. adapted by using the internet
Brown, who moved to to sell directly to customers
Collingwood, Ont., in 1977 and around the world. “That kept
bought his current facility in us going for a number of years,
1980, eventually encountered but it really wasn’t all that prof-
difficulties. He made national itable,” he said.
news in 1989 when the New With his remaining staff ag-
York Rangers’ John Vanbiesb- ing, as he is, Brown decided this
rouck was forced to black out summer to shut down. “It’s just
Brown’s name and logo from time,” said Brown, who plans to
his pads. The NHL had lev- keep busy in retirement.

Brown hired employees during the summers, as pro

to help produce his designs, hockey wasn’t yet a year-round
which allowed him to become endeavor in those days. As
his own best salesman. He trav- styles evolved and goaltenders
elled relentlessly to promote themselves changed, he adapt-
his gear to retailers. And he ed his equipment to meet their
marketed directly to goalies, needs. Tan leather pads stuffed
talking with the netminders with deer hair and kapok gave
on their level. “I understood way to colored synthetic leath-
them,” he said. “I understood er and foam.
their fears and insecurities.” By Brown’s estimate, ap-
This helped him stand out proximately 200 NHL goalies,
from other manufacturers in an including Hall of Famers Grant
era when the market was grow- Fuhr, Dominik Hasek and Mike
ing and his competitors, big Vernon, have worn his gear
and small, had trouble keeping in games. Hundreds of others
up with demand for various
reasons. “I was able to fill that
NOTHING TO SEE HERE
TOP: PHOTO BY JONATHON JACKSON; BOTTOM+RIGHT: PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANICA BROWN/BROWN HOCKEY

gap,” he said. “We could deliver,

the product was good, and if Brown’s name and logo famously
there was an issue, we fixed it.” had to come off of Vanbiesbrouck’s
Brown built up his inventory pads before an NHL game in 1989.

ied a $10,000 licensing fee on And he’ll look back fondly

equipment manufacturers, and and gratefully on his legacy,
Brown had declined to partici- which includes many loyal and
pate at the time, although he longtime customers who have
did later. reached out to express their
“My budget was blown appreciation.
apart,” he said of the expense. One could say that Brown
“(Vanbiesbrouck) wanted to has been responsible for so
still wear the pads, so we took many saves over the decades
the logo off or spray-painted that he long ago evened the
over it, whatever we had to do.” score from that night in Ottawa
Brown’s larger competitors when 11 pucks got past him
later started paying goalies to and put him on track for a ca-
wear their equipment. Retail- reer he had never envisioned.
ers that he’d done business “For a kid who was hockey-cra-
with for years formed buying zy, it was wonderful to be part
groups to make better deals of it,” he said of his life in the
for themselves. Brown, forced sport. “It was probably a dream
to lower his prices, had to start come true.”

THE G OALI E I S SU E THE HOC K E Y NE W S | 97 |

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 TIME OUT
CROSSWORD BY LARRY HUMBER
ACROSS
1
4
He went first overall in 2014
The 2024 Norris Trophy winner, pictured
Hockey TRIVIA
9 Huddy, who won five Cups with Edmonton
10 Jordin Tootoo was the first player of ___
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 descent to play in the NHL
11 Mark ___, the only NHLer ever from Delaware
12 Climate Pledge Arena site
8 1 13 Organization that governs U.S. college sports
15 He’s been a Star since 2009
9 10 18 Nickname of Pittsburgh’s first NHL team
21 One of the Broten brothers
23 Al Hamilton was an original ___
10
24 Where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played junior
25 Ryan Kennedy is THN’s current ___ in chief.
11 12 26 James, elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010

1 12 DOWN > BEGINNER:

1 Former Sabre now lighting it up in Vegas The woman above was the first goalie
2 Hard shot
13 14 15 taken in the PWHL’s inaugural draft.
3 City that may be in line for a third NHL try
5 Home of the AHL’s Comets
And it paid off, as she led Minnesota to
16 15 16 1 17 6 Where Gordie Howe and his sons first Walter Cup glory in 2024. Who is she?
played together
18 19 20 17 21 22 7 ‘Slats’ was coach and GM in both Edmonton > INTERMEDIATE:
and New York The NHL single-season record for goalie
8 They replaced 3 Down’s latest NHL iteration wins is shared by Martin Brodeur and
14 Undrafted junior who’d later captain Oshawa this man, whose sublime 48-9-7 record
15 Home of the WHL Wheat Kings led him to the 2015-16 Vezina Trophy.
23 24 16 Play against
17 ___ Hunter won a pair of World
Championships with Canada in the 1990s
> EXPERT:
1
19 Marty ___ was between the pipes in Dallas While goalies tend to be more focused
20 In pain on preventing goals, nobody was better
25 26
22 A Toronto arena is named after the at setting them up than this HHOFer. His
legendary athlete/writer Ted ___ 48 career assists are an NHL record.

Word PUCK PUZZLE |

Can your hockey brain
bring its A-game?
The challenge is on!

SEARCH
Goalie Nicknames
Hockey’s masked men have
some of sports’ best sobriquets.
These are a few of our favorites
Listed here are many familiar names, all of them Art Ross Trophy winners.
Once you have identified them, the name of the player who won the scoring
title for the 1955-56 season will appear in the red boxes.

C S Y
‘BULIN WALL’ S N
(NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN)
‘BUNNY’
M K N
CROSSWORD: BOB FRID-USA TODAY SPORTS; TRIVIA: BRIAN FLUHARTY-USA TODAY SPORTS

(MICHEL LAROCQUE)
‘COBRA’
(GARY SIMMONS) O C N
‘CUJO’
(CURTIS JOSEPH)
‘DOMINATOR’
M A D
(DOMINIK HASEK)
‘EAGLE’ L I X
(ED BELFOUR)
‘GUMP’
(LORNE WORSLEY)
J R
‘KING’
(HENRIK LUNDQVIST) K C R V
‘MR. ZERO’
(FRANK BRIMSEK)
‘RED LIGHT’
(ANDRE RACICOT)

TRIVIA ANSWERS: NICOLE HENSLEY, BRADEN HOLTBY, TOM BARRASSO PUCK PUZZLE SOLUTION: CROSBY, SEDIN (DANIEL OR HENRIK), MALKIN, OVECHKIN, MCDAVID, LEMIEUX, JAGR AND KUCHEROV (FINAL ANSWER: BELIVEAU)
DOWN 1. EICHEL, 2. BLAST, 3. ATLANTA, 5. UTICA, 6. HOUSTON, 7. SATHER, 8. JETS, 14. CIRELLI, 15. BRANDON, 16. OPPOSE, 17. ANDRIA, 19. TURCO, 20. SORE, 22. REEVE
CROSSWORD SOLUTION: ACROSS 1. EKBLAD, 4. HUGHES, 9. CHARLIE, 10. INUIT, 11. EATON, 12. SEATTLE, 13. NCAA, 15. BENN, 18. PIRATES, 21. AARON, 23. OILER, 24. RED DEER, 25. EDITOR, 26. ANGELA

THE G OAL IE IS SU E T HE HOCK E Y NEW S | 99 |

 THE LAST WORD
WITH RYAN KENNEDY | @THNRYANKENNEDY

PWHL outline of an animal in their nascent logo fans? There had to be an emotional connec-
one year later. The NHL’s newest fran- tion: fans wanted fierce, powerful names. 3.

SIRENS VS.
chise, the Seattle Kraken, are repped by How will the name come to life? This was
a fantastical beast, but it’s not one you’ll important for the visual design of the jersey,
find in any zoology textbook. including color theories and maintaining
Similarly, teams don’t end in ‘S’ as fre- the primary color from Season 1 because

PIZZA RATS
quently as they once did. The Kraken, many fans already had merch. 4. How will it
Wild, Avalanche and Lightning are all get activated in the arena and come to life?
less than 35 years old. With the PWHL, One example is the Boston Fleet, who, if they
the majority of teams do not end in ‘S’ – so choose, could incorporate the Boston
Montreal Victoire, Boston Fleet, Ottawa Harbor-based USS Constitution, a.k.a. ‘Old
Charge and Minnesota Frost. Only the To- Ironsides,’ into their game presentation.
The PWHL’s new monikers raise a host ronto Sceptres and New York Sirens hew to At its apex, there was a spreadsheet of
of questions about the future of branding the old standard. So, how did we get here? about 800 names being bandied about
I got some intriguing answers from the during what was a fluid process. Along with

N
EW HOCKEY TEAMS ARE incredibly PWHL’s vice-president of brand and mar- Bhatt-Shah, some of the other drivers be-
exciting. The speculation surround- keting Kanan Bhatt-Shah. hind the effort included senior VP of busi-
ing who will play for the squad is Long story short, there’s no conspira- ness operations Amy Scheer and the New
matched by all the possibilities that cy against animal names and no drive to York-based branding firm Flower Shop. But
come with a new jersey, name and logo. But downgrade the importance of the letter ‘S,’ the process was also open, in the sense that
what goes into a name these days? but finding unique monikers was important teams were also paying attention to sugges-
Back in 1926, the New York Rangers got to the league. “We wanted to be rigorous in tions from players and fans. In fact, one of
their moniker because their owner was our criteria,” she said. “What do we think a the most surreal name ideas kept popping
nicknamed ‘Tex’ – so, Tex’s successful name and identity feels like?” up during the live streams of New York’s
Rangers. Get it? Creating an Time was a factor because the league games last season: fans in the comment sec-
identity for a franchise is a lit- wanted the identities established for Sea- tion were boosting ‘New York Pizza Rats’ as
tle more rigorous these days. son 2 of the PWHL, which meant intellectu- a favored choice. “The fans were manifest-
As someone fascinated with al-property and trademark concerns were ing that,” Bhatt-Shah said.
jerseys and team names, I couldn’t help but a factor. However, if Toronto wanted to be Ultimately, Bhatt-Shah feels the best
go down a rabbit hole when the PWHL an- nicknamed the Jets, it probably would have names won out, and with jerseys scheduled
nounced the new names for its six franchis- been fine. “You can definitely co-exist, and to be released in early November, we’ll get
es. What an opportunity. But also, what an that was very much on the table, but we another wave of excitement surrounding
interesting case study of how names have were balancing different things,” Bhatt-Shah the PWHL before Season 2 begins.
evolved over the years. Lions, Tigers and said. “Names unique to us felt very special.” In the meantime, we can turn back to
Bears? Not so much anymore. In fact, there But four criteria came before the IP ques- speculating about what Utah’s NHL team
were no animal logos used by the PWHL, tion: 1. Does it inspire real pride of place? will be called in the future. With Mammoth,
and it’s worth noting that we haven’t seen This means connection to the community. Yeti, Blizzard, Venom, Outlaws and Utah HC
PHOTO BY PWHL

one in the NHL since the Atlanta Thrash- The Ottawa Charge, for example, referenc- still in the mix, we’ve got a card filled with
ers in 1999 (a thrasher is a type of bird) – es the city’s motto “Advance Ottawa – En choices that line up with current trends. But
though the Minnesota Wild introduced the Avant.” 2. Will it resonate with players and which one will be the victor?

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