Noah Tegelaar (G, L, 6’5″, 177, Collingwood Blues, 10/15/2006)
Noah Tegelaar is a long, athletic goaltender who has shown dominance at the Junior A level and flashes of elite-level potential in international play. His size alone places him on the radar — at 6’5”, Tegelaar fits the modern NHL prototype for netminders — but his performance across levels, particularly his consistency with Collingwood and poise under fire at the World Jr. A Challenge, solidify his place as a legitimate NHL draft prospect. Despite a disastrous cameo in the OHL, which skews raw stats, his underlying data and situational performance remain strong.
Why Noah Tegelaar Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) NHL Frame with Room to Add Strength
At 6’5”, Tegelaar already meets the modern NHL goalie standard in terms of height. While he is lean at 177 lbs, he moves well in the crease and shows no signs of coordination issues tied to his frame. With continued physical maturation, he projects to be a net-filling, composed goaltender capable of handling NHL shooters.
2) Dominance at the Junior A Level
Across 30 games in the OJHL, Tegelaar posted a 1.68 GAA, .940 SV%, and 10 shutouts — elite numbers that speak to consistency, control, and team trust. He led all OJHL goaltenders in shutouts and ranked near the top in both save percentage and wins. His 10 shutouts are particularly notable, indicating his ability to manage quiet games as well as high-pressure ones.
3) Strong Advanced Metrics
Tegelaar stops 86% of Grade A chances and averages 2.2 goals saved above expected per game. These numbers place him well above the curve and show that he is not simply benefitting from team defense. His breakaway save rate (86%) is a strong indicator of composure, game processing and athleticism under duress.
4) Composure and Lateral Control
He plays a composed, economical butterfly style with a wide stance and good control over his depth. While he’s not overly aggressive, he maintains excellent angle integrity and holds his ground well. His lateral movement is sharp for his size, allowing him to recover effectively and track through traffic. Rebound control is improving — pucks are increasingly absorbed or steered to safe areas.
5) Resilient and Poised in High-Traffic Events
Tegelaar was the busiest goaltender at the 2024 World Jr. A Challenge, facing 198 shots and posting a .899 save percentage behind a heavily outgunned Canada East roster. While the 4.32 GAA appears high, the volume, quality of chances, and team context make his performance a clear plus — he was arguably Canada East’s most important player.
Why Noah Tegelaar Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Raw and Unrefined at Higher Levels
Tegelaar’s brief OHL stint was disastrous — two appearances, 36 minutes, 9.90 GAA, .739 SV%. While the sample size is minuscule, it reflects the concern that his mechanics and reads are not yet sharp enough against top-tier speed and structure. NHL teams will question how translatable his dominance at the OJHL level truly is.
2) Needs to Add Weight and Strength
At 6’5”, 177 lbs, Tegelaar still has a long way to go in terms of physical development. He can be knocked off balance in scrambles and sometimes struggles to recover off initial contact. If he cannot add muscle and core strength over the next two years, he’ll be at risk when facing heavier net-front traffic and physical crease play in the pro game.
3) Puck-Handling and Breakout Decisions
He’s not a liability with the puck, but his puck-handling is passive, and he shows hesitation under pressure. There is a lack of urgency in his retrievals and rim stops. For the NHL level, he must improve his timing and confidence with puck plays, especially as more goaltenders are expected to assist in breakouts.
4) Lacks Elite Reflexes/Explosiveness
Tegelaar relies more on structure and size than pure reflexes. He’s efficient but not explosive. This leads to issues on second-chance chances, where he can be slightly late on lateral pushes. If shooters force lateral movement with deception, he can overcommit and get caught mid-slide.
Projection and Outlook
Player Projection: NHL backup or low-end 1B with upside to develop into a serviceable starter in a defensive system
Development Path: 1–2 more years of Junior A or NCAA → 2–3 years AHL → NHL backup/spot starter ceiling
Development Priorities
Physical development: Add 15–20 lbs of lean muscle to help absorb contact and extend push recovery windows
Improve explosiveness: Increase first-move power and efficiency in post-to-post transitions
Develop puck-handling confidence: Become more proactive in breakout and retrieval roles
Mental toughness for success at higher levels: Focus on sharpening game-to-game consistency against faster, more dynamic competition
Draft Recommendation: 7th Round Consideration
Tegelaar checks the most important modern goaltending box — size — and has outperformed at the Junior A level in both volume and consistency. While raw and untested at elite levels, his athletic foundation, composure, and upward development trend make him worth a late-round flyer for organizations willing to commit to long-term goalie development. He is not NHL-ready, but he is a developmental asset with projectable upside.