Great expectations
NHL-signed Winnipeg goaltender living up to hype after blockbuster trade
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/11/2019 (1595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It feels good to be wanted, but Joel Hofer admits he felt the heavy burden of expectations when the Portland Winterhawks gave up six bantam draft picks, including a pair of first-rounders, to acquire him at the Western Hockey League trade deadline 10 months ago.
He had been a No. 1 goaltender for only half a season, spending 2017-18 as an understudy to Stuart Skinner in Swift Current’s run to a league title and trip to the Memorial Cup. Being traded at mid-season during a frantic playoff race was a lot for a young player to process.
But the Broncos, who had mortgaged the future by trading away a slew of draft picks to load up for their championship run, needed to replenish their supply of younger prospects and dealing Hofer was a good start.
In return, Swift Current obtained first- and third-rounders in the 2019 draft, second-, fourth- and fifth-rounders in 2020 and another first-rounder in 2021.
“Obviously they saw something in me and there was a lot of pressure to step up to the expectations,” the 18-year-old Winnipegger said via telephone Friday morning. “I think over time, that kinda went away and I felt more comfortable. I didn’t have to think about it (anymore) — I just went out and played my game. When I go out and do that, that’s when I’m worth those six picks.”
Hofer, a fourth-round choice of the St. Louis Blues in 2018, has firmly established himself on an NHL development track.
The Blues signed him to a three-year, US$2.427-million entry-level contract in March and he has responded, registering a 1.90 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and an 11-3-1 record in 16 appearances for the Winterhawks heading into Friday’s action.
“He’s carried the load for us and he’s done a good job, but as you know, with a starting goaltender you want to be careful,” Winterhawks general manager and head coach Mike Johnson said.
“But he’s been outstanding. Last year we made the big trade to acquire him and very seldom in our league does a top-end goaltender and an NHL-drafted guy come available.
“We felt for our organization going forward, we needed a goaltender of his calibre.”
In addition, the lanky 6-4 1/2, 173- pounder believes he’s still growing.
Hofer’s looming presence is another asset highly coveted by NHL teams and his latest mission has been to convince the Hockey Canada brain trust he is worthy of an invitation to the Canadian junior team selection camp next month.
He was not among the five goaltenders selected for the national team’s summer showcase.
On Thursday in Prince Albert, Hofer stopped 29 shots as Team WHL took Russia to overtime before losing 4-3 in a shootout in the final game of the Canada-Russia Series.
Playing for Team Canada next month would be a thrill of a lifetime for Hofer, who moved away from home to attend the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C., for his 15- and 16-year-old seasons.
“It was in the back of my mind for sure, but it’s out of my control in terms of who’s going,” Hofer said.
“But I think I’ve done a pretty good job of using it as motivation and sticking to my game.
“Obviously, it’s a goal of mine to play in the world juniors. Hopefully, I can keep up with my play and it will be recognized.”
Hofer, who was in transit to Portland early Friday, was expecting to be rushed into the lineup to face the visiting Spokane Chiefs on Friday night.
Johnston has come to depend heavily on his star puck-stopper but anticipates he could lose Hofer to Team Canada, albeit temporarily.
“I think he’s taken a monstrous step this summer with his training and his work with St. Louis,” Johnson said. “He came back with a great focus. He’s still scrawny and he’s still needing to fill out but he’ll fill out in the next couple of years.
“He makes himself look big, keeps his shoulders high and doesn’t give you a lot to shoot at. And I think he’s very athletic, very quick.
“He anticipates and moves really well in the net.”
mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @sawa14
Mike Sawatzky
Reporter
Mike has been working on the Free Press sports desk since 2003.
History
Updated on Friday, November 15, 2019 10:51 PM CST: Fixes height.