Castaway
cast-away (adjective): thrown away, rejected
Six feet wide by four feet high.
That’s the dimensions of a National Hockey League net.
The average height for goaltenders in the National Hockey League is 6-foot-2 and a half.
What does that all mean when it comes to scouting and projecting goaltenders? Well, countless NHL scouts have anonymously reported that they are “not allowed” to write reports on any goaltenders under the league average.
That’s unimaginable to fathom, but it just goes to show where the game and the vast majority of the scouting world is trending with regards to the goaltending position.
How many goaltending prospects across the hockey world wouldn’t fit that preconceived standard or pass that criteria? How many young goaltenders are essentially being castaway based strictly on their height? Does size really matter in the world of goaltending?
It certainly would seem that way when it comes to hockey’s highest level.
We all know the game has changed and the goaltending position continues to evolve, but could today’s scouts be overlooking potential stars? Former goaltending greats like Andy Moog, Mike Richter, Curtis Joseph, Grant Fuhr, Bill Ranford, John Vanbiesbrouck and Tim Thomas were all under six feet tall.
The “different era” argument might hold water in some hockey circles, but what about sheer talent, athleticism, drive and technique? How much is that worth these days?
The undercurrent of competitiveness, fundamentals and cutting-edge innovation continues to drive the goaltending community, consultants and gurus alike, but what about scouts? How do they evaluate, assess and project the next crop of up-and-coming goaltending prospects?
Hockey’s spotlight has always shined brightest on the last line of defence. Often that spotlight exposes the slightest of imperfections, but being instantly rejected based on a hypothetical height standard is incredibly narrow minded.
Criticized, highly scrutinized and over analyzed, that’s life in crease. Unfortunately, when it comes to goaltending everything is magnified. In many cases, time and experience is the greatest asset for young goaltending prospects. The recent NCAA rule change will effectively change how some goaltenders will be evaluated and projected with time, experience and further developmental opportunities built within the years to come.
In a position that takes incredible focus, technique, athleticism, skating ability, flexibility, body awareness, anticipation, reflexes and instincts, the vast majority of scouts, however, are still reluctant to provide their insight and projections based on a potential backlash from their organization if the main prerequisite of height isn’t part of the equation. How many potential star goaltenders have or will continue to be rejected?
Neutral Zone scouts across the entire Canadian Hockey League have zeroed in on this topic and have provided a list of the best “undersized goalies” that should be strongly considered and capable of playing the game at the pro level. Names will appear by age.
QMJHL
Mathis Rousseau (Halifax Mooseheads/Moncton Wildcats – 5-foot-11, 2004): 19-20-5, 2.90 GAA, .905 SP, two shutouts
Jacob Steinman (Moncton Wildcats/Halifax Mooseheads – 6-foot-0, 2004): 29-15-5, 2.34 GAA, .925 SP, three shutouts
Mathys Fernandez (Shawinigan Cataractes – 6-foot-0, 2005): 12-4-5, 2.73 GAA, .912 SP, one shutout
Louis-Felix Charrois (Drummondville Voltigeurs – 5-foot-11, 2005): 13-2-2, 2.19 GAA, .920 SP, two shutouts
Raphael Precourt (Chicoutimi Sagueneens – 6-foot-0, 2006): 29-12-8, 2.74 GAA, .909 SP, two shutouts
William Lacelle (Rimouski Oceanic – 6-foot-0, 2007): 27-5-3, 2.38 GAA, .909 SP, three shutouts
Donald Hickey (Charlottetown Islanders – 6-foot-0, 2007): 14-9-2, 2.86 GAA, .902 SP, two shutouts
Kyan Labbé (Sherbrooke Phoenix – 5-foot-7, 2007): 7-4-3, 2.80 GAA, .903 SP, one shutout
OHL
Austin Elliott (London Knights – 6-foot-1, 2004): 30-1-0, 2.14 GAA, .922 SP, three shutouts
Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads – 5-foot-11, 2007): 23-12-5, 3.13 GAA, .902 SP, two shutouts
WHL
Johnny Hicks (Brooks Bandits (BCHL)/Victoria Royals – 5-foot-9, 2005): 18-3-0, 1.37 GAA .943 SP, six shutouts (with Brooks), 8-4-1, 2.64 GAA, .908 SP (with Victoria)
Jayden Kraus (Victoria Royals – 6-foot-1, 2006): 24-8-8, 2.83 GAA, .908 SP, one shutout
Jesse Sanche (Everett Silvertips – 6-foot-1, 2006): 22-9-2, 2.73 GAA, .901 SP, one shutout
by Craig Eagles