| Jan Spunar | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | L | G | 6’3″ | 185 | Portland Winterhawks | 2022 | Olomouc | 2004 | 2022-2023: C 2021-2022: C+ |
Neutral Zone’s Ian Moran, January 20, 2023: In terms of the National League goaltenders Spunar is an average sized goalie who understands percentages and is confident playing at the top of his crease. Interesting things to note: (1)So far during 2022/23 with Portland he has allowed three point shots in with all three coming through a screen and by his blocker. Is this a result of him collapsing his blocker too low, unfortunate luck or the fact he is down very early when opposing defenders begin to walk the blueline? Either way NHL defenseman will shoot the puck harder and more accurately than the shooters he is facing now. (2) When opposing shooters have time and space they seem to be able to score on the top third of the net, not necessarily picking corners but by his ears and above his shoulders into the top third of the cage. Maybe he needs to tweak his positioning to be 6″ farther out of the crease, but either way even perceived NHL grinders will need less time and less space to pick their spots.
| Average per game | |
| 2022/23 for the Portland Winterhawks | 2021/22 playing U20 in Czechia |
| Time on ice | |
| 59:51 | 54:21 |
| Goals against | |
| 2.8 | 2.7 |
| PK goals against | |
| 0.71 | 0.65 |
| Saves | |
| 27 | 21 |
| % Saves | |
| 91% | 89% |
| Scoring area saves | |
| 13 | 9 |
| Scoring area saves, % | |
| 85% | 82% |
| Brilliant saves | |
| 2.6 | 1.95 |
| Breakaways | |
| 0.59 | 0.5 |
| Breakaway saves, % | |
| 92% | 91% |
Neutral Zone NHL. July 4, 2022: Why an NHL pick, during 2021/22 he had a 0.911 sv% in 31 games played in the Czechia U20 league. Why not an NHL pick, in 21 overall games representing Czechia in international competition he has a 0.875 sv% and that includes having three shutouts.
U20: 2022 NHL Draft Eligible Goalie Report, December 9. 2021: After recently competing for his home country of the Czech Republic in their tune-up for the U18 World Championships, Jan played in 3 consecutive 1 goal games against a very good Russian, Swedish, and Finnish team. Jan is a carbon copy of Vitek Vanecek. Same size, same stance and same demeanor in the net. I would be very surprised if Vitek isn’t someone who Spunar tries to model his game around. Has a very sound foundation and fundamental skill set. Jan gets himself in trouble at times when scrambling on rebound situations and winding up on his stomach or back side. Needs to try to stay big so he gives himself a chance on every shot, rebound or not.