Dustin Wolf Goalie Development Done Right

[SI90]

Dustin Wolf.

We all know the old adage that the draft is a crapshoot, especially for Goalies. Most of the top goalies aren’t high draft picks but there are few exceptions.

Either way, when you draft a goalie and you map out their development path ; you dream of it being exactly what Calgary has gotten with Dustin Wolf.



I’m an avid follower of Junior hockey but particularly American Prospects. Wolf chose to play major Junior hockey in the WHL. He was dominant for 3 seasons including his draft year. He fell to the 7th round to Calgary because he was considered undersized at 6’0.



He made the 2020 World Junior for team USA. While Spencer Knight but the starter and played the bulk of the games, many including myself thought Wolf looked better when he played.



Wolf went on to win Goalie of the year in juniors before turning pro.



Hes played 3 years of Pro in the AHL where he won goalie of the year twice and league MVP!



In the offseason Calgary traded their veteran starter (Markstrom) and committed to Wolf.



At just 23 years old Wolf is off to a tremendous start in his first season as a starter for CGY. Yes, it’s early but I’m so impressed with his development path and play. He looks so poised and sound in the net. Just like he did for team USA, WHL, and the AHL.



Hard not to root for a guy like that but also hats off to the Flames for not rushing him when it might have been tempting. It’s going to be fun to watch how his career turns out.

 

[Senor Catface]

 

[MrLunatik]

To add to how he was developed, Wolf played a ton and faced a lot of rubber. The fewest games he's played (incl. playoffs) the past 3 seasons is 59 games, and that was because he was up and down between the NHL and AHL last season. He played 65 games (incl. POs) in 2022-23 and 60 games (incl. POs) in his rookie AHL season. There was none of this platoon bullshit, goalies need to play and see shots.

 

[SI90]

To add to how he was developed, Wolf played a ton and faced a lot of rubber. The fewest games he's played (incl. playoffs) the past 3 seasons is 59 games, and that was because he was up and down between the NHL and AHL last season. He played 65 games (incl. POs) in 2022-23 and 60 games (incl. POs) in his rookie AHL season. There was none of this platoon bullshit, goalies need to play and see shots.

Love it.

And that’s what I was getting at with given the flames credit not giving into the temptation and letting him play and start and develop.

 

[Realgud]

The flames seem to do very well with ginger goalies. I hope he has a great career with them, hard not to root for smaller goalies.

 

[the-rasta-masta]

It’s obviously very early, but Wolf’s 2.36 GAA is ranked 6th and his .925 S% is ranked 3rd among goalies who’ve played 10 games or more.

 

[tarheelhockey]

You know this guy a lot better than I do so I’m not saying the idea here is wrong. But what I’m seeing is a guy who has been successful at every level and therefore experienced zero developmental hiccups. The unique thing is that Calgary committed to him so early but like… he’s really good. Did they do anything in particular other than keep letting him kick ass?

 

[Shlep]

You know this guy a lot better than I do so I’m not saying the idea here is wrong. But what I’m seeing is a guy who has been successful at every level and therefore experienced zero developmental hiccups. The unique thing is that Calgary committed to him so early but like… he’s really good. Did they do anything in particular other than keep letting him kick ass?

Yep. He was drafted as the best goalie in the WHL. Then repeated. Then was the best goalie in the AHL. Then repeated. Now is doing well in the NHL. The lesson here is past success predicts future success a lot more than size does.

 

[SI90]

You know this guy a lot better than I do so I’m not saying the idea here is wrong. But what I’m seeing is a guy who has been successful at every level and therefore experienced zero developmental hiccups. The unique thing is that Calgary committed to him so early but like… he’s really good. Did they do anything in particular other than keep letting him kick ass?

Fair point. The best thing they did was leave him in the AHL full time and not bring him up in a platoon role. Maybe he’s just talented and wouldn’t have mattered who drafted him but my point was if you could draw up a development path from draft night to being full time nhl starter, it’s hard to argue a better way to do it. ( obviously there’s outliers and guys who were generationally that started younger like Roy) I’m talking about from Goalie prospect to NHL starter. I’m sure he had his fair share of hiccups in the AHL and he will probably have some more in the NHL. That being said, he’s played many games and has stayed healthy( knock on wood) so he’s what I would call ripened. 23-26 are really important ages for a goalie historically and he’s right there.

 

[DJJones]

Calgary is maybe the worst team in the league at developing goalies.

Just go be the best player in the league for four years straight and we'll give you a contract haha

 

[MrLunatik]

You know this guy a lot better than I do so I’m not saying the idea here is wrong. But what I’m seeing is a guy who has been successful at every level and therefore experienced zero developmental hiccups. The unique thing is that Calgary committed to him so early but like… he’s really good. Did they do anything in particular other than keep letting him kick ass?

He's had a few smaller hiccups, but shown immediate resiliency.

His first AHL game saw him get lit up for 5 goals on 11 shots and get yanked in under 30 minutes.
In his rookie AHL season he had a couple rough games to open the Conference finals and that may have cost the team a shot at the Calder Cup.
Last season he has some struggles to start the AHL season allowing 3+ goals and having a sub .900 SV% in 4 of his first 8 starts
Wolf also had his struggles in the NHL last year, posting a sub-.900 SV% in 17 games.

 

[Rubi]

A few of us wanted to see him playing regularly with the Flames before this season .... ok... maybe only me.
I always thought he would be a better option at backup goalie to Markstrom than Vladar and playing for a team that still had aspirations of contending for the cup instead of one that's beginning a rebuild. Glad to see him doing well this year but I would rather have seen him in a Flames jersey two seasons ago.

 

[Volica]

You know this guy a lot better than I do so I’m not saying the idea here is wrong. But what I’m seeing is a guy who has been successful at every level and therefore experienced zero developmental hiccups. The unique thing is that Calgary committed to him so early but like… he’s really good. Did they do anything in particular other than keep letting him kick ass?

Probably not rushing him up; I think that played a big part.

Last season he very well could have been Markstrom's backup, but the team instead chose to have him play for most of the season in the AHL. Even this year, they didn't commit to having him be the #1; Vladar got that role and some of the games we thought we'd get butchered.

Calgary hasn't been able to develop a successful goalie in forever, so it's nice to see we committed to one and kept him on the path.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

He's a young Jonathan Quick. Small and even plays a very similar style.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

A few of us wanted to see him playing regularly with the Flames before this season .... ok... maybe only me.
I always thought he would be a better option at backup goalie to Markstrom than Vladar and playing for a team that still had aspirations of contending for the cup instead of one that's beginning a rebuild. Glad to see him doing well this year but I would rather have seen him in a Flames jersey two seasons ago.

I think thats the point Op is making.

Some teams would have done what you wanted, and had him up in the NHL only to serve as backup. Sitting on the bench does what to a goalies development? Nothing. It’s best to have them playing big minutes in game situations. That allows them to work out any kinks they may have. Its helps them build up their confidence. Playing in the AHL allows them to get more familiar with a faster game, harder shots, smarter players and playing in a professional setting. That is huge for a young goalie.

The jump from WHL to the NHL is massive obviously. There are many intricacies in a goalies game that need perfecting. Moving up in stages allows them to work on those and perfect them. And thats exactly what Calgary allowed him to do in the way they developed him. As we can see, the results speak for themselves .

 

[BKarchitect]

Most impressive rookie this year so far IMO.

Of course, I am not saying he’s going to beat Michkov, Hutson, Celebrini, etc as a Calder winner. To be fair - he’s still basically 1A with Vladar, who is also putting up solid stats (after being bad previously) behind this current Calgary team. And one bad week in this small of a sample size could easily make his numbers plummet.

All that said - he’s playing like a top 10 goalie…in the entire league…right now. And seems to be getting better and better. His last three starts have been outrageously good.

 

[Stive Morgan]

Mitch Love is an excellent coach (yes I know he's not the goalie coach, but he knows how to build/strategize around his best players)

Really wish the Habs had scooped him up in 2023. As well as Wolf in 2019 lol. I'm the one who started his damn thread so I should get an honorary 7th round selection for the team

 

[Oscar The Grouch]

He'll be great until he's not. Then maybe he'll be great after that again. And then not.

Like 90% of goalies

 

[Rubi]

I think thats the point Op is making.

Some teams would have done what you wanted, and had him up in the NHL only to serve as backup. Sitting on the bench does what to a goalies development? Nothing. It’s best to have them playing big minutes in game situations. That allows them to work out any kinks they may have. Its helps them build up their confidence. Playing in the AHL allows them to get more familiar with a faster game, harder shots, smarter players and playing in a professional setting. That is huge for a young goalie.

The jump from WHL to the NHL is massive obviously. There are many intricacies in a goalies game that need perfecting. Moving up in stages allows them to work on those and perfect them. And thats exactly what Calgary allowed him to do in the way they developed him. As we can see, the results speak for themselves .

My point is that after Wolf's first season in the AHL, after playing 60 games (47 reg and 13 playoff) plus 3 the previous season and finishing with a .924 sv% (reg)/ .929 sv% (po) and a 2.35 GAA (reg)/ 2.23 GAA (po) and winning the AHL's best goaltender award (Elite Prospects - Award - AHL Best Goaltender (Baz Bastien Memorial Award), I don't think he had much more to prove or learn by playing in the minors. I think his development would have been better served facing NHL shooters, speed and talent, and being the understudy to and learning from one of the top 10 goalies in the NHL (Markstrom).

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

My point is that after Wolf's first season in the AHL, after playing 47 games plus 3 the previous season and finishing with a .924 sv% and a 2.35 GAA and winning the AHL's best goaltender award (Elite Prospects - Award - AHL Best Goaltender (Baz Bastien Memorial Award), I don't think he had much more to prove or learn by playing in the minors. I think his development would have been better served facing NHL shooters, speed and talent, and being the understudy and learning from one of the top 10 goalies in the NHL (Markstrom).

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion for sure. But the results so far this season are kind of speaking for themselves and make your opinion a moot point.

 

[kingsholygrail]

So we finally solved the goalie development problem? Nice. Looking forward to consistently good goalies league wide. I'd also like to point out that he was a Junior King. So by all means send the young kids to LA.

 

[InfinityIggy]

My point is that after Wolf's first season in the AHL, after playing 47 games plus 3 the previous season and finishing with a .924 sv% and a 2.35 GAA and winning the AHL's best goaltender award (Elite Prospects - Award - AHL Best Goaltender (Baz Bastien Memorial Award), I don't think he had much more to prove or learn by playing in the minors. I think his development would have been better served facing NHL shooters, speed and talent, and being the understudy and learning from one of the top 10 goalies in the NHL (Markstrom).

Could that approach have resulted in an even better outcome? Sure.

Would I go back and try that instead of what the Flames did? f*** no.

 

[Lat]

As a keeper fantasy owner for Wolf, I thought he was NHL-ready last season. This year, he's splitting way too many starts with Vladar, but hopefully Vladar is relegated to more of a true backup role after this streak of Wolf's.

 

[thaman8765678]

Stop trying to jinx him.

 

[Rubi]

As a keeper fantasy owner for Wolf, I thought he was NHL-ready last season. This year, he's splitting way too many starts with Vladar, but hopefully Vladar is relegated to more of a true backup role after this streak of Wolf's.

I predict that, barring injury, Wolf will become the Flames #1 goalie this season, Vladar will serve as backup until the TDL where upon he'll be traded and Devin Cooley of the Calgary Wranglers, who btw is killing it in the AHL this season (9 wins/ .953 sv%/ 1.51 GAA), will be recalled to replace Vladar in the backup position.... thus totally screwing up this season's tank effort which will result in Montreal getting the Flames 2025 first rnd draft pick. f***!