Goaltender
Profiles In depth look at the
prospects 6/19/04 - By James Weise -
Sabrefans.com
1) Marek Schwarz G Catches: R 6 180
lbs Sparta Praha 2) Al Montoya G Catches: L
62 178 Michigan 3) Devan Dubnyk G Catches:
L 66 194 lbs Kamloops 4) David Shantz G
Catches: L 61 202 lbs Mississauga 5) Cory
Schneider G Catches: L 62 195 lbs
Andover Academy (2005 Boston College) 6) Magnus Akerlund G
Catches: R 61 183 lbs HV-71 7) Jason
Churchill G Catches: L 63.5 184 lbs
Halifax 8) Justin Peters G Catches: L 61
209 lbs Toronto St. Mikes 9) Jeff Glass G
Catches: L 62 185 lbs Kootenay 10) Michal Valent
G Catches: L 62 167 lbs MHC
Martin
One of the strengths of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft could be the
depth and quality of the goalies that are available. At the top of our list is
Marek Schwarz. The athletic Czech has drawn comparison to the greatest
Czech goalie ever Dominik Hasek. Schwarz says that he never had any idols and
that he tries to take pieces from everyones game. One thing that Schwarz
seems to have in common with Hasek is a competitive drive. Schwarz isnt
the biggest goalie in the draft at 6 180 lbs, but he is one of the most
athletic and quick goalies in the draft. Plus, Schwarz has had solid showings
on numerous international stages as he has played for the Czech Republic at the
U-18 WCs in 2003 and 2004 (He was named the top goaltender at the 2004
tournament) as well as at this years U-20 WCs. Schwarz will certainly go
early in the 1st round and should be in a battle to be the 1st goalie
selected.
Al Montoya broke onto the scene this year almost by
accident. Montoya was solid as the #1 goalie at the University of Michigan in
2002-03. But, it was what Montoya did at this years U-20 WCs that had
people stand up and take notice of the young American goalie. Montoya not only
led the US to the gold medal, but he was also named the tournaments top
goaltender. But it almost didnt happen. Montoya only go the starting job
for the US squad after Maine goaltender, and Detroit draftee, Jim Howard went
down with an injury, just weeks before the tournament started. But, Montoya
seized the opportunity and could be the first goaltender taken on draft
day.
Devan Dubnyk is one large goaltender. At 66 194 lbs,
Dubnyk has little trouble filling up the net and giving shooters little to look
at. Dubnyk is a smart kid (he was named the CHLs scholastic player of the
year) who has worked hard with former NHL goalie Kirk McLean to improve his
game. He also had a solid showing at the U-18 WCs as he was Canadas #1
guy in net. Dubnyk may not be as polished right now as Schwarz or Montoya, but
its a safe bet that some team will take the big Blazer in the mid to late
1st round.
David Shantz helped his draft stock by backstopping
the Mississauga Ice Dogs to the OHL Finals this season. And that was the second
year in a row that Shantz had taken his team deep into the playoffs. In 02-03
it was Shantz that led his Jr B team to the provincial finals. Shantz needs to
improve his technical game, but the word is that hes coachable and hard
working, so that shouldnt be an issue. Shantz is a player that has a
chance to sneak into the late 1st round or slide to the early 2nd. But with the
way goaltenders have become so vital to success in the NHL, Id guess that
some team will take Shantz in the 1st round this year.
Cory
Schneider is a guy with a high skill level, but will take some time to get
to the NHL. The Philips Andover Academy goalie had his coming out party at the
U-18 WCs when he had a solid showing for the US squad. Many wondered if the
numbers he put up at Philips Andover were merely because he was playing against
an inferior level of competition. But, Schneiders performance for the US
squad put some of those questions to rest. One thing that will lengthen
Schneiders develop time is the fact that hell still be playing prep
school hockey next season. Schneider is headed to Boston College. But rather
than back up BC goalie, and Bruins draftee, Matti Kaltiainen next season,
Schneider is waiting to enroll at BC until 2005. Schneider could be a late 1st
round pick to a team that can afford to wait on him. Or, he could fall to the
2nd round as well.
Magnus Akerlund is regarded by most as the 2nd
best European goalie prospect in this years draft. Some see him as a
sleeper because he had an unspectacular season and the Swedish team had a poor
showing at the U-18 WCs. But, some people like the way Akerlund battled when
his team was outmatched and he was seeing a lot of rubber. Akerlund got a solid
frame and athletic ability. The big question is whether hell work hard
enough at refining his technical play to be a top notch NHL goalie. Hes
projected as a 3rd round pick on my board.
Jason Churchill of the
Halifax Mooseheads is a big goalie (63.5 184 lbs) has some tools,
but is still a project. Although, he is the best goalie prospect coming out of
Quebec this year. So that should count for something, right? Jason got a 3rd
round grade on my board. But, it wouldnt be too surprising if he slipped
to the 2nd day of the draft because he is so raw and needs to develop a lot
more. But he certainly looks to be a worthy project for a team that is set in
goal for now, but could use a developmental guy in the
pipeline.
Justin Peters of Torontos St Mikes Majors
is a little bit more refined. He had a highly productive season in the OHL and
may be one of the better puckhandling goalies in the draft. One thing is for
certain, he is one of the best snipers in this goalie class after scoring an
empty net goal in the OHL playoffs this year. Due to the depth of the goalie
prospects this year, Peters is another guy that could be a 3rd to 4th round
pick. Although, he may be one of the more mature goalies in this years
draft class.
Jeff Glass of the Kootenay Ice is another big goalie
in this years draft class. The biggest knock of Glass game is his
mediocre glove hand. He is solid positionally, is patient, and like to
challenge shooters. Glass is a guy that will likely fall to day 2 of the draft
as most think his upside is only to be a back up in the NHL.
A sleeper
in this years goalie class could be Slovak goalie Michal Valent.
He played well for the Slovaks at the U-18 WCs despite his team being outgunned
on most nights. Valent is a battler that is able to keep his team in games.
Valent could be a guy that falls on draft day due to underexposure, but could
develop into a solid NHL goalie over the long haul. Valent has a 4th round
grade on my board. And it could turn out to be a 4th round pick that is well
spent by some team.
Best of the rest: One goalie where there
is a split of opinion about is Notre Dames David Brown. Last year,
Red Line Report was touting him for the draft and he went unselected. Red Line
is once again high on Brown, whereas most everyone else isnt on board.
Id be surprised if he went unselected again, but I doubt it will be on
day 1 of the draft. Dan Lacosta could be a sleeper. The Owen Sound
goalie had a solid regular season, but was replaced with veteran Robert Gherson
for the playoffs and that could hurt his draft stock. And Phillipe
Roberge is a small butterfly goalie out of the Q that is fun to watch
play.
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