G Joshua Ravensbergen - Prince George Cougars, WHL (2025 Draft)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

There's no doubt that Ravensbergen isn't always on top of his game...the thing is that when he is...he's tough to beat. He proved he can dominate the league when he's on top of his game. Not just for a few games but for weeks or even months. He was almost unbeatable during last season's playoffs.

Furthermore, I mentioned it last season already, PG isn't exactly good defensively. They're a strong side because they mostly get good goaltending from Ravensbergen and because they have a ton of offensive firepower. Their defense is pretty underwhelming though and their forwards aren't known for a strong two way game either...which leads to the goalie having to deal with lots of high danger chances. So just because Ravensbergen is playing behind a team winning lots of games it doesn't necessarily mean his job is easy. Anyone actually watching PG games is gonna agree on that matter. Also, Ravensbergen outplayed a significantly older veteran goalie both this and last season.

They're first in their division in GA and third in GF. Not saying you're wrong, but how does what you say explain that?

And I would also say that the overall product, not having some amazing stretches and some terrible stretches is what matters. I get projection is involved, but if Ravensbergen is lights out 85% of the time and terrible 15% of the time he'll need to work on that to end up a starting goaltender in the NHL.

 

[Hinterland]

They're first in their division in GA and third in GF. Not saying you're wrong, but how does what you say explain that?

And I would also say that the overall product, not having some amazing stretches and some terrible stretches is what matters. I get projection is involved, but if Ravensbergen is lights out 85% of the time and terrible 15% of the time he'll need to work on that to end up a starting goaltender in the NHL.

Unless they're completely tanking for longer stretches, consistency isn't really a big factor for goalie prospects. Doesn't really matter for goalie prospects. All goalies prospects are projects. You never get to draft a finished product, at least not among first year eligible goalies. With goalies it's all about tools and upside. Ravensbergen last season completely dominated the WHL both right from the get go and during playoffs. He's also a huge kid and one heck of an athlete. If there's a draft eligible goalie likely to repeat his success in the NHL it's Ravensbergen. Most deciding factor for goalies is between the ears so you never know but Ravensbergen is rather easy to project compared to other goalies of his age.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Unless they're completely tanking for longer stretches, consistency isn't really a big factor for goalie prospects. Doesn't really matter for goalie prospects. All goalies prospects are projects. You never get to draft a finished product, at least not among first year eligible goalies. With goalies it's all about tools and upside. Ravensbergen last season completely dominated the WHL both right from the get go and during playoffs. He's also a huge kid and one heck of an athlete. If there's a draft eligible goalie likely to repeat his success in the NHL it's Ravensbergen. Most deciding factor for goalies is between the ears so you never know but Ravensbergen is rather easy to project compared to other goalies of his age.

I think though that most of the best guys in the NHL were actually very consistent from year to year and at lower levels before reaching the NHL. People like to make goalies into voodoo, but that might be true for like the 18th best goaltender in the league. That's not exactly true for like the 3rd best goaltender in the league. Rarely does a guy put up mediocre stats, and then they just all of a sudden find it and it clicks. Most of the best goaltenders in the world were the best goaltenders with the best stats in lower leagues that they played in.

 

[beachcomber]

Another kid from the North Vancouver pipeline.

 

[Bubbles]

Just excellent in a back to back with Kelowna, both wins for PG. He even got a nod on TSN for this save: