London Knights 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 6)

[rve24]

For sure, they have had some great Junior goalies and that is awesome for London. But the main reason for this league, is to develop players for the next level, which they have lacked in the goalie department for years.

But yes, I agree with your other points.

It would be interesting you see other Jr teams records of developing goalies for the NHL. ( is any bored or got time gor a research project )
Using the same criteria mentioned by someone earlier, that they can't be traded for late in Jr.
I doubt many have great records, a couple maybe.
It is interesting to consider all factors. Just shooting from the hip but I don't think goalies see their biggest development as a goalie until after junior aged. Just the nature of the position.
And althou I feel some staffs develop any position player slightly better the biggest factor is the player themselves. Their drive n determination to take the next step.

 

[dino200022]

If it's a knee...bite the bullet and play. I agree...I've done it..numerous times

Why would we want Brochu to play hurt? That contradicts your previous statements of telling everyone they are wrong and calling them out about Bowens play?

I am not saying you are wrong, but you can't have it both ways.

 

[Otto]

For sure, they have had some great Junior goalies and that is awesome for London. But the main reason for this league, is to develop players for the next level, which they have lacked in the goalie department for years.

But yes, I agree with your other points.

I think the OHL in general falls into this category

 

[Ringing Iron]

I think the OHL in general falls into this category

I think North America falls into this category.

Let’s remember the small percentage of goaltenders that make it to the NHL. It’s minuscule compared to skaters so the number of developed pro goalies is going to be relative to that number.

Without digging into the math, developing 10 players who reach the NHL might be equivalent to 1 goaltender. Maybe lower.

Outside of “Europe”, can anyone name a Jr Franchise known for developing goaltenders ?

The Soo is one that comes to mind but only because of recency bias with a Jack Campbell and Matt Murray.

Goaltender development is a crapshoot at the Jr levels. Development for goaltenders usually takes the biggest step once they reach the pro leagues (AHL/etc)

 

[rve24]

So some think if Brochu played, Knights win....maybe , maybe not. We will never know. ( Brochu>Bowen BIT Sarnia was >London all over games 3n4. Created more chances and buried more (so better O and D)
If a goalie gets a shout out you won't lose a PO game no matter what....easy.
If the team D allows no chances Knights might have won.
If the skaters scored score the first 2 goals early maybe the Knights win.
If the skaters scored 6 or 7 maybe the Knights win.
If Sarnia tool more and London less penalties maybe the Knights win.
Nobody knows what woulda happened cause it didn't.
Yes and 1 would prefer Brochu in net, but moreso for him than me as a fan. I would liked for him to finish out his last PO year healthy and in his control. Gotta suck for the kid. Injured, not able to show what he may have been capable of in a deep playoff run, not able to help his teammates....... It's alot for an ultra competitive kid.

 

[Starry Knight]

Crazy to think that a goalie in his 17 year old season isn’t playing to the same standard as an overage, former goaltender of the year. Better trade him ASAP because he’ll never improve!

Seriously. Bowen is clearly dealing with the nerves of being called upon to backstop the team in the third round of the playoffs against arguably the deepest offensive team in the league. He’s over-sliding on plays and fumbling pucks like he did in his first few starts—when he was also nervous. He’s got the frame, mobility, reflexes, etc. to be a great OHL goalie, he just needs to reign it in. Same can be said for the top NHL goalie prospect in Askarov.

He will be the starter next year (when the Knights probably won’t be going for it with Saginaw in the same conference as the Mem cup hosts) and will hopefully have blossomed into a top end starter in his 19 year old season. Remember, just because Brochu was lights out as a 17 year old, it doesn’t mean that it’s the norm for OHL goalies.

 

[rve24]

He gets it. Perspective

 

[dino200022]

I think North America falls into this category.

Let’s remember the small percentage of goaltenders that make it to the NHL. It’s minuscule compared to skaters so the number of developed pro goalies is going to be relative to that number.

Without digging into the math, developing 10 players who reach the NHL might be equivalent to 1 goaltender. Maybe lower.

Outside of “Europe”, can anyone name a Jr Franchise known for developing goaltenders ?

The Soo is one that comes to mind but only because of recency bias with a Jack Campbell and Matt Murray.

Goaltender development is a crapshoot at the Jr levels. Development for goaltenders usually takes the biggest step once they reach the pro leagues (AHL/etc)

The only "Junior" franchise that is somewhat known for developing goalies in the near past would be the USNTDP which is unfair to really say as they are not really a junior team.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

I think North America falls into this category.

Let’s remember the small percentage of goaltenders that make it to the NHL. It’s minuscule compared to skaters so the number of developed pro goalies is going to be relative to that number.

Without digging into the math, developing 10 players who reach the NHL might be equivalent to 1 goaltender. Maybe lower.

Outside of “Europe”, can anyone name a Jr Franchise known for developing goaltenders ?

The Soo is one that comes to mind but only because of recency bias with a Jack Campbell and Matt Murray.

Goaltender development is a crapshoot at the Jr levels. Development for goaltenders usually takes the biggest step once they reach the pro leagues (AHL/etc)

Just for arguments sake here, the Soo didn't develop Campbell. He was traded to them at the deadline from Windsor. Even borderline if Windsor helped develop him as he played 1.5 years there after the USNT.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

It would be interesting you see other Jr teams records of developing goalies for the NHL. ( is any bored or got time gor a research project )
Using the same criteria mentioned by someone earlier, that they can't be traded for late in Jr.
I doubt many have great records, a couple maybe.
It is interesting to consider all factors. Just shooting from the hip but I don't think goalies see their biggest development as a goalie until after junior aged. Just the nature of the position.
And althou I feel some staffs develop any position player slightly better the biggest factor is the player themselves. Their drive n determination to take the next step.

I am not doing a deep dive into full history haha
But I was curious about current NHL goalies, of the 107 goalies to appear in an NHL games this year , 16 played in the O (If I missed 1 or 2, forgive me, I did this quickly) or 14.95%. Also, arguably, less the 5 of them made a real impact on teams this year. So less then 4%.

So based on this, I would say this is in fact, an OHL problem and not necessarily a London Problem. I guess I just expect more from the Knights based on their history of player development.

Interestingly enough, on the list below. The team that appears most is the Colts with 3 then several with 2, including London. But based on the no trade criteria, London can't claim Hutch and Stolarz came from the states, so borderline.

Binnington - Owen Sound
Gibson - Kitchener & USNTDP
Grubauer - Bulls, Spits, Fronts
Campbell - Spits, Soo, USNTDP
UPL - Wolves
Martin - Missy
Anderson - Storm
Murray - Soo
Blackwood - Colts
Wedgewood - Whalers
Stolarz - Knights
Hutchinson - Colts, Knights
Nedelijkovic - Whalers, Firebirds, IceDogs
Prosvetov - Spirit
Greaves - Colts
Wells - Petes

 

[sbpointer]

Well next year I’m trading Bowen, McCue and picks for Michael Simpson. Every save is an adventure.

Sure I’m overreacting a bit, but Bowen is definitely playing like a Jr B goalie.

It’s been a great year though Knights fans!

Thank god Mark Hunter is the General Manager not some guy from HFBoards...

 

[rve24]

Thanks for the info OrangeP. Way more than I woulda done lol.

 

[sbpointer]

His play indicates that won't happen unless a miracle happens. He is just like onuska and Flores. Good at times, but overall not a goalie that will carry you to the finals

Do the posters on this forum even watch OHL Hockey?!?
Onuska did take a team to the OHL Finals and at that a game 7.
I was not a fan of Flores in London but he had MANY 50+ save performances on an awful team this year and is ranked pretty highly among goalies in the NHL draft upcoming.
Bowen is this teams #1 goalie next year and beyond and he will have success.

 

[Starry Knight]

Thank god Mark Hunter is the General Manager not some guy from HFBoards...

For reference, as an 18 year old Michael Simpson had a worse regular season save percentage than Zach Bowen as a 17 year old.

 

[dino200022]

Do the posters on this forum even watch OHL Hockey?!?
Onuska did take a team to the OHL Finals and at that a game 7.
I was not a fan of Flores in London but he had MANY 50+ save performances on an awful team this year and is ranked pretty highly among goalies in the NHL draft upcoming.
Bowen is this teams #1 goalie next year and beyond and he will have success.

Unfortunately we have some folks here that think there is only one actual team in the OHL that has any kind of relevancy.

 

[Matt93]

With everything being said, Bowen is just a kid and trying his hardest and the team hasn't been playing well in front of him.

But, this series is starting to give me flashbacks to Trevor Cann vs Windsor.

 

[dino200022]

With everything being said, Bowen is just a kid and trying his hardest and the team hasn't been playing well in front of him.

But, this series is starting to give me flashbacks to Trevor Cann vs Windsor.

GEEEESSSH funny you say that, because I said the exact same thing the other day while walking out of game two to my father. " I hope this does not turn into a Trevor Cann situation " .

 

[TheOrangePylon]

GEEEESSSH funny you say that, because I said the exact same thing the other day while walking out of game two to my father. " I hope this does not turn into a Trevor Cann situation " .

Difference being of course, Cann was acquired in a trade as a 19 year old, To be the #1. He just never lived up to expectations in London.

 

[dino200022]

Difference being of course, Cann was acquired in a trade as a 19 year old, To be the #1. He just never lived up to expectations in London.

Imagine losing a closeout game 4-3 in overtime with the game winner coming from 2 feet outside the blueline, and another goal coming from right on the blueline on a 2 on 2 rush.....Oh man Cann was not good in London.

 

[Purple Phart]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that whenever the Knights drafted a goalie higher in the draft, that strategy somehow didn't pan out.
Remember Micheal Zador ? Then there was that goalie that had a tragic fatal accident in the summer following his selection ? HAP ring a bell >

 

[tjziel]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that whenever the Knights drafted a goalie higher in the draft, that strategy somehow didn't pan out.
Remember Micheal Zador ? Then there was that goalie that had a tragic fatal accident in the summer following his selection ? HAP ring a bell >

Liam Herbst

 

[BobHockey]

He's still responsible for stopping pucks. His save percentage is atrocious

It's still a 200 foot 6 player team game, not a 4 foot 1 player game

 

[BobHockey]

Imagine losing a closeout game 4-3 in overtime with the game winner coming from 2 feet outside the blueline, and another goal coming from right on the blueline on a 2 on 2 rush.....Oh man Cann was not good in London.

I still have nightmares LOL

 

[rve24]

Difference being of course, Cann was acquired in a trade as a 19 year old, To be the #1. He just never lived up to expectations in London.

I believe aome of the issues had to do with an injury that happened mid season. Often not discussed. He battled thru some issues and it affected his play. JMO based on rumblings.

 

[dmead]

I believe aome of the issues had to do with an injury that happened mid season. Often not discussed. He battled thru some issues and it affected his play. JMO based on rumblings.

Yeah. The concussion in January. Dont think he fully recovered come playoff time. Just couldnt track pucks.