Game played on 1/3/2025.
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev (G, L, 6’2″, 170, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 10/26/2004, Michigan Tech)
Game Rating
A-
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev, a Slovak/Russian goaltender, is known for his athletic and agile style of play, which allows him to track pucks visually and make up for any uniformity in his game. He excels at reading plays and scanning the ice, making precise movements to get on angles. In physical games, he tends to lose composure in scrums, but this is something to watch as it can create problems. Gadzhiev’s puck-stopping ability is a strength, but he could improve his movement and rebound control for added consistency.
Comments: Muskegon: Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev (2004) The Russian born Lumberjacks goaltender relies on powerful movement and effective use of his size at 6’2′ to round out his more athletic play style. Although powerful his movement is not very technical or super precise. While always setting his feet on pucks he maintains his feet and stance relaxed underneath his body to maintain mobility. Although beaten once in this contest his effective rebound control limits second chance opportunities as pucks are smothered or deflected away from traffic. Creating a nice seal of the ice and a wide butterfly when pucks are in tight ensures pucks must be elevated to beat him. Frequent scans of the ice aid in his slight lack of precise movement. At times his chest and weight will sink limiting his mobility when in a butterfly and moving out of it. A solid performance but coming up just shy in this homestand. Grade: A-
Harrison Boettiger (G, L, 6’1″, 170, NTDP U17, 12/11/2007)
Game Rating
A
Comments: NTDP USA-U18: Harrison Boettiger (2007) Sporting an all-blue set of pads the Colorado native plays a technically sound game that sees effective weight control to create a fundamentally solid game. The 17-year-old shows some elite skills centering his body on pucks and releasing/dropping into chances. This ensures movements are smaller on second chance opportunities and eliminates the need for reaching. Effective in his posts and when pucks are down low in a reverse, maintaining his feet, as well as using an overlap ensures in any situation, he is mobile and comfortable. A widening butterfly causes the need for a regain while down that is effectively done but adds more movement. Constant shoulder checks and scans while pucks are in the zone aid in precise movement and setting his feet. A lot of positives for the young goaltender and a solid foundation to build upon. Grade: A
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images