We’ve seen a lot of hockey in the early going of the fall hockey season, but the goaltending position is one that often gets overlooked.
We attempt to remedy that by bringing a singular focus on 2005 birth-year goaltenders who have performed well and are giving their teams quality wins between the pipes.
This is not an all-encompassing list, as New England Hockey Journal is still working our way through the schedule to see what we can. However, based on the first nearly 45 days, these netminders have elevated and given themselves a chance to land with some top D-1 programs as colleges get more comfortable with them and will address their futures in net.
Here is a top-nine of the early standouts of players we have gotten live viewings of.
1. Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/10/05, catches left, 6-0/165
One of the top performers for his talent and consistency. Scopa plays with a lot of poise for a very good club, but able to make athletic saves. He tracks pucks extremely well and competes hard in his net, not easily surrendering goals. Also like his ability to shake off a tough start and come back even stronger in his next game. He’s been a top performer all summer and carried it over to fall hockey. Belmont Hill will be in good hands with Scopa manning their crease this winter.
2. Carter Richardson
Boston Hockey Academy, 7/30/05, catches left, 6-2/179
Nova Scotian and QMJHL third-round draft pick by Gatineau plays big in his net and is an athlete who brings a dynamic presence for BHA. He’s fluid and has cat-like reflexes for such a big kid. With his height and length, he gives shooters very little net to hit and has excellent up-down/down-up movements to take the lower portion away. He is poised and able to shut things down for his team even during odd-man rushes and defensive breakdowns. High upside.
3. Ryan Sanborn (Brookfield, Conn.)
Buffalo Regals, 1/15/05, catches left, 6-2/190, NCAA commit: RPI
One of the few committed 2005-born goalies outside of the NTDP, Sanborn is an athlete who can make any matter of saves. The Mid Fairfield Rangers and Hill School product hails from Connecticut and has quick hands, able to block his net and move well laterally. Has to maintain consistency with tracking pucks and net depth, but a lot to like here.
4. Aiden Hopewell
Connecticut Jr. Bulldogs, 1/10/05, catches left, 6-2/175
With his size and quickness, Hopewell is one of the more talented goalies we’ve seen early on. At times, he’s made it look easy, shutting down grade-A saves while making them look routine. In a recent dogfight game with North Shore Academy, he found himself in a close call after his team got out to an early lead. Hopewell made a tremendous breakaway shorthanded save to maintain a two-goal lead and not allow his opponent to rally. The final scorer ended up a one-goal differential, so that save was huge in preserving the win- that kind of mental toughness is something to build on.
5. Zackary Ferris
Long Island Gulls, 1/24/05, catches left, 5-11/159
May not possess ideal size for the subsequent levels at present, but is so agile and plays bigger in his net than his listed height. Pittsburgh-area native is competitive and fights through screens to maintain sightlines with the puck carrier. Superb ability to make the athletic save and recover for subsequent scoring chances. Impressive package and winner- has a chance to develop into a top option in the birth year.
6. Dylan Krick
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, 6/19/05, catches left, 6-2/136
We had time for the tall, slight but quick and competitive Krick going back to last season with the Jr. Flyers 15-U team, and he’s taken it up a notch in our viewings this fall. He stays square, directs rebounds away from danger areas and shows a lot of composure in the net. He’s going to have to put on some weight, but has the assets to be a top performer going forward.
7. Owen Crudale
Mount Saint Charles, 5/26/05, catches left, 6-0/138
Effective at maintaining visual contact with pucks and getting set for the first shot. Shows poise between the pipes and can steal goals away with a fast recovery. Going forward, he will get a chance to backstop a strong Saints team and continue to build his strength and body of work. There isn’t a lot of flash in his game, but for a goalie, that’s a good thing.
8. Daniel Heroux
Top Gun Selects; 1/14/05, L, 6-2/210, NCAA commit: Vermont
Big, physically advanced goalie from Quebec has a commitment to the Catamounts and is tough to beat. Plays aggressively and has some nimble agility for his size. Intriguing long-term potential and will stop pucks at Kimball Union Academy this winter.
9. Tyler Spokane
Buffalo Regals, 2/9/05, catches left, 5-11/150
The Millbrook netminder and Buffalo-area native forms a very good 1-2 punch in net with Sanborn. Although he doesn’t have Sanborn’s size/physical package, Spokane sees the puck well and battles hard to defend his crease. He’s smooth and refined, looking strong in the early going.
Honorable Mention
Elliott Pratt, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite; 5/14/05, L, 6-2/170
Cody Butikis, NJ Rockets; 3/18/05, L, 6-2/185
Paul Dalessio, BK Selects; 4/4/05, L, 5-9/165 (Burlington, Mass.)
Rudy Guimond, Connecticut Jr. Bulldogs; 4/19/05, L, 6-1/170
Will Baker, Mid Fairfield; 3/2/05, L, 6-0/160 (Norwalk, Conn.)
Pelle Russo, NV River Rats; 3/9/05, L, 6-0/175 (Newton, Mass.)
Griffin Davis, South Kent Selects; 11/21/05, L, 5-10/153 (Nashua, N.H.)
