Dustin Wolf- Goalie Development Done right!

SI90

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Jul 25, 2011
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Dustin Wolf.
IMG_9794.jpeg




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.
 

Lunatik

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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.
 
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SI90

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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.
 

tarheelhockey

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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

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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.
 
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SI90

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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.
 
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DJJones

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Nov 18, 2014
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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
 

Lunatik

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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.
 
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