Photo Credit: https://www.eliteprospects.com/
So, previously, I have written articles on who I think are the Top five forwards and defensemen in this year’s draft class. But, with me being a lifelong goaltender, I have to say I am very excited to bring you the latest installment in this series of articles covering who I think is the Top Five Guardians of the Blue Paint.
Now, if you read any of my other articles, you know that a lot goes into these lists. I have researched and studied hours and hours of film on these netminders, where I looked at their strengths and weaknesses and judged them based on how well I think their games will translate at the pro level. Furthermore, with some of these players, I was even afforded the luxury of sitting down and interviewing them to get a better grip on what kind of person a team would be getting.
So, with that being said, let me not prolong this list any longer.
Joshua Ravensbergen – Prince George Cougars /WHL
By now, I think most draft experts would agree that Josh is the clear-cut favorite to be taken as the number one goalie this summer. And for good reason, because at just 18 years old, Ravensbergen is already 6’5 and 192 pounds. So, before he even steps foot on the ice for them, teams know that he will take up a good portion of the net. And, if his physical size does not cover all the holes, his willingness to come way out of his crease to challenge the shooter will.
Now, while I will admit his stats this season don’t exactly make you jump out of your seat with him averaging a 2.97 goals against average and a .902 save percentage, in 46 games played this year, you have to factor in that a lot of nights the Cougars are not the most defensively minded team. Often leaving him to fend for himself back there.
So, while it may be but a small sampling of his work, I think a more accurate depiction of his abilities when playing with a defense in front of him would be when he played for Team Canada in the Prospect Challenge game against the top prospects from the USA where he only let in one goal.
In saying all this, I would tend to agree with the masses that Joshua will be the first goaltender to be taken in this draft. He is relentless in his efforts to stop the puck simply because he never gives up on the play, even if it would appear he’s beaten.
Petteri Rimpinen- Kiekko-Espoo/Liiga
Having Rimpinen ranked second on my list may surprise some, considering Petteri was passed over in last year’s draft and will soon turn 19 years old. Still, if I’m being honest, I think he is the most NHL-ready of any goaltender available this year.
And that’s because, unlike most other available goalies in this draft class, Petteri is currently playing as a professional in his country’s highest-level league, the Liiga.
This season, while playing 36 games thus far for the Kiekko-Espoo, Rimpinen has managed to post a goals-against-average of 2.46 and a save percentage of .910%. And, if that wasn’t proof enough that “Mr. Showtime” can stand tall against the competition, Petteri, who is the definition of a big game goaltender, was able to take home the honors of being named the World Junior Championships U-20 Top Goaltender.
Where he played in seven games during that tournament and was able to post a 2.34 goals against average and a .933 save percentage that allowed his team to bring home the silver medal.
Now, if I were to describe his game, I would say that Petteri is able to succeed because of his precise movements and sharp angles, which allow him to always be in the correct position. And once in the proper position, Rimpinen covers the bottom of the net amazingly by making use of his telescopic legs and black hole upper half of his body, which somehow allows him to swallow all pucks coming at him in close, eliminating any chance of a rebound.
Elijah Neuenschwander- HC Fribourg-Gottéron U20
For my third pick in this year’s draft, I would suggest teams take a look at my favorite goaltender coming out of this draft, Elijah Neuenschwander.
If you aren’t familiar with his game, that’s not surprising, considering Elijah, who is 6’4 and 193 pounds, hails from the lesser-scouted country of Switzerland.
And it’s in the “Playground of Europe” that this old-school stand-up style netminder has managed to make it to the professional ranks in his native country, playing in the SL (Switzerland’s second highest pro level) for the EHC Chur, where he has gone 6-2-1 over nine games played.
This young netminder will obviously take a little more time to develop, given his need to transition to the North American style game, but boy, when he does, I think he will be something special.
Pyotr Andreyanov- Krasnaya Armiya Moskva / MHL
Andreyanov is rated by most to be the top-rated international goalie available in this year’s draft. And, why I can see why some would put him there with his elite-level glove hand, his astonishing save percentage that is currently hovering around .940%, and his sub-two goals against average.
I can’t help but wince when I notice other aspects of his game. For example, if a player shoots the puck on the ice at his stick or skates, Pyotr, nine times out of ten, will give up the most eye-popping rebound to the opposition’s awaiting power forward. Also, while I’m not one to necessarily care about the height of a goaltender, the fact that Pyotr, who only stands at 6’0 tall, shrinks himself down to see around traffic in front of his net is concerning. As I have noticed in games, even players at the MHL level have begun to take note of this and have started to sail shots right over his shoulders. So, just think what an NHL player will be able to do with that big of a target to shoot at.
However, I think all that could be cleaned up with a bit of help from a good goalie coach. Don’t get me wrong, I think the kid is really talented, but like most his age, he still needs some work.
The question is, would he be worth the trouble? Remember, we have still not seen Andreyanov play in any international tournaments, such as the World Juniors. Now, this, of course, is to no fault of his own with all that is still going on in his country. But it still leaves questions unanswered.
That’s why, if it were me and, I wanted to take a chance to try and land one of the next great Russian netminders. I would head up to London, Ontario, and start scouting…
Alexei Medvedev- London Knights/OHL
This 17-year-old Russian netminder, who stands at 6’3, is one of the youngest players in this draft. And, because he came to North America at an early age, he isn’t held hostage by a multi-year contract like most others who were classically trained and still play back in Mother Russia.
In this, his first season with the Knights, Alexei has seen his stock rise exponentially after delivering game after game of some of the most solid play the OHL has seen this season. And the more I watch Medvedev play, the more impressed I become because I simply can’t find any holes in his game. Alexei plays with the kind of confidence and patience that most would expect to see from a 20-year-old overeager in this league who should have turned pro already.
Now, again, this list is, of course, subjective. But you can trust it because it comes from a goaltender who has been playing this game for over thirty years now and has coached for at least ten of those. Remember, I watched a lot of tape on these guys and have interviewed quite a few of them as well. So, I can honestly say I think all of these guys will make excellent pros one day real soon.
