G Luke Opilka - Kitchener Rangers, OHL (2015, 146th, STL)

[Woodhouse]

Among the scouting combine attendees without a thread is NTDP goalie Luke Opilka, so to kick off his thread, here's an excerpt from Shift to goalie paying off for USNTDP's Opilka:

Opilka has good size and moves well in his crease, two areas that excite NHL scouts.

"I play more of a hybrid and play more to my positioning, quick feet and try to get into the space before the shot comes," Opilka said. "I try and stay away from reactionary saves and try to be in the right position at all times."

Opilka was the highest-rated goalie invited to participate in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo on Sept. 25. In his 29:48 of ice time he allowed one goal on 23 shots to help Team Mike Grier to a 6-3 victory against Team Eddie Olczyk.

"He's aggressive and is a quick-style goalie, challenging shooters very well," Jensen said. "He reads the plays well and is quick to react, has a good glove hand and is an overall strong goalie. He's got great lateral movement and competes very hard."

He said the one area he needs to improve is the mental side of the game.

Click to read more...

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Still holding out extremely faint hope that whoever drafts him encourages him to join the OHL. Kitchener has his rights and as a fan I would like to have him here. The starting job would be his to lose, from all reports he seems far and away better than the Rangers current goaltending options.

 

[Bonin21]

Won't happen. Mike Eaves's office would be set on fire.

 

[Bonin21]

Holy crap they are going to set Eaves's office on fire...

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

Holy crap they are going to set Eaves's office on fire...

What happened? He's not going to Wisc?

 

[William H Bonney]

Likely signing with St. Louis and going to Kitchener per Andy Johnson.

Not sure why. He's not exactly a goalie on the fast track.

 

[Woodhouse]

 

[Rekus]

Signing with St. Louis and going to Kitchener.

Not sure why. He's not exactly a goalie on the fast track.

The CHL guys sell dreams. By getting drafted by his home town team, he is feeling closer to that dream and the CHL is prime for that. Hope he sticks to his studies while there.

 

[William H Bonney]

The CHL guys sell dreams. By getting drafted by his home town team, he is feeling closer to that dream and the CHL is prime for that. Hope he sticks to his studies while there.

It's just a curious decision to me. Opilka didn't have a good 2014-2015 season at all, both during the regular season and at the IIHF U18s, where he was backup to a 2016 eligible, non-NTDP goalie. He needs time and the NCAA gives him more of that. This isn't about CHL vs. NCAA to me at all. Hopefully it works out for him.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

It's just a curious decision to me. Opilka didn't have a good 2014-2015 season at all, both during the regular season and at the IIHF U18s, where he was backup to a 2016 eligible, non-NTDP goalie. He needs time and the NCAA gives him more of that. This isn't about CHL vs. NCAA to me at all. Hopefully it works out for him.

Is he physically raw or is it his skills that are raw? Only thing I can think of is that his skills are raw and they want as much game time experience as possible over the next couple years before putting him in the AHL. He will almost undoubtedly get the bulk of the starts for Kitchener, we have had goaltending issues for a couple of years now. Will be interesting to see how things pan out.

 

[BenchedGuy]

Officially signed with Kitchener today.
http://www.kitchenerrangers.com/article/rangers-sign-goaltender-luke-opilka

 

[Woodhouse]

Opilka started Kitchener's preseason opener vs Mississauga and registered a 27-save shutout win.

 

[BenchedGuy]

Opilka started Kitchener's preseason opener vs Mississauga and registered a 27-save shutout win.

He looked pretty sound in this game positional and calm. He didn't have to make an spectacular saves but it wasn't easy sailing either. He seemed to have quick reflexes down low with scrums in front of the net. Mississauga is not going to be a slouch this year either so it was a good test to start him off in the pre-season.
If he performs like this night in night out then expect him to be the #1 guy in Kitchener all season.

 

[Foppa]

Speaking of Kitchener goalie prospects is Jack Lafontaine going the NCAA route? I just read he signed with Janesville in the NAHL - doesn't seem like the traditional route for a goalie in his draft season who has both OHL and USHL options. Although Matej Tomek is a highly rated netminder and he's stepping up to UND after being with Topeka Roadrunners in his draft year.

Was having both Opilka and Lafontaine ever an option for Kitchener this year?

 

[BenchedGuy]

Speaking of Kitchener goalie prospects is Jack Lafontaine going the NCAA route? I just read he signed with Janesville in the NAHL - doesn't seem like the traditional route for a goalie in his draft season who has both OHL and USHL options. Although Matej Tomek is a highly rated netminder and he's stepping up to UND after being with Topeka Roadrunners in his draft year.

Was having both Opilka and Lafontaine ever an option for Kitchener this year?

For Lafontaine, there were different stories.....all just hearsay, nothing concrete.
1) Kitchener Brass didn't handle his contract situation right. Not promising certain playing time or education package.
2) He was always keeping options open.

From my beliefs from the rumblings he was never going to come to Kitchener.
Either way I highly doubt Kitchener will see Lafontaine. With Opilka, they have 3 goalies signed and other prospects that already attended camps.
When he signed with Janesville, the writing was on the wall.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

So it seems Opilka is off to a good start on paper. As a curious Blues fan, how has his play looked?

I know goalies are next to impossible to judge this early, but does he seem like he has potential?

 

[Tim Raines]

So it seems Opilka is off to a good start on paper. As a curious Blues fan, how has his play looked?

I know goalies are next to impossible to judge this early, but does he seem like he has potential?

Yes, he does seem to have potential. He is calm and efficient in the net and great at finding pucks through traffic. He never seems to get rattled and stays very square to the shooter. In goaltending lexicon, I believe they call him a "quiet" goalie.

In terms of criticism, I don't have much. I'd say he drops to his knees a bit early at times and leaves himself susceptible to the roof shot, especially over his left shoulder. But I wouldn't call it a major weakness.

He certainly looks like a goalie with pro potential. He has made a number of breath-taking saves.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

So it's been awhile, anything more to report on Opilka?

 

[Tim Raines]

So it's been awhile, anything more to report on Opilka?

Had a bout of something undiagnosed (team believes mono) around Christmas and took a long time to get back in the groove. Has been steady but not spectacular down the stretch.

The big test will be the playoffs. Is he a gamer when it's all on the line? Kitchener's D is so depleted that there's no much separating them and Windsor. Goaltending may decide it.

 

[DMoran0788]

Had a bout of something undiagnosed (team believes mono) around Christmas and took a long time to get back in the groove. Has been steady but not spectacular down the stretch.

The big test will be the playoffs. Is he a gamer when it's all on the line? Kitchener's D is so depleted that there's no much separating them and Windsor. Goaltending may decide it.

Now I know I am biased but Carty seems a lot better lately - between the two of them (Carty/Opilka) they should be able to share the load down the road and that should take this team far. They both need to steal some games.

 

[MMC]

Opilka retires from professional hockey

 

[Coaches Coroner]

That's too bad. The writing was on the wall this summer when it was clear he wasn't going to be healthy to start the season. When he was healthy and in the zone, he was a really good CHL goaltender and seemed to have some promise.

 

[Newfoundland]

Poor guy. Liked his name