Top 5 goalie prospects in 2018 NHL Draft
By Nick McAdam
1. Olivier Rodrigue
Olivier Rodrigue is hovering between the early second and late first round of several mock drafts, which is a really good thing for a goalkeeper.
The 17-year-old plays the butterfly with his blazing pace to track from one side of the crease to the other. Here’s what ISS Hockey had to say about Rodrigue back in 2017:
https://t.co/ShTASUYyjE
— ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) October 5, 2017
ISS G #1 Olivier Rodrigue
Athletic butterfly goalie capable of highlight-reel saves due to his quickness
A quick comment that really hits the nail on the head in terms of describing the goalie’s in-game abilities.
The Drummondville Voltigeurs must feel blessed to have a young keeper who can notch 90-plus games in two seasons with the team. Both seasons have gotten playoff action with Rodrigue in the squad, as well.
Playing time is certainly making Rodrigue the top goalie prospect available, but his stats are also very eye-opening at the junior hockey level. Three World Junior Championship games is all Rodrigue needed to amass a .949 save percentage and a 1.33 GAA for Canada.
With Drummondville, Rodrigue recorded a .908 save percentage which was good enough to send the team back in the playoffs for the second year with him between the pipes. Ten playoff games saw the Quebec native total close to a .900 save percentage.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Montreal Canadiens swoop in for Rodrigue with their two early second round draft picks. They need more pipeline in net, and with Rodrigue, he’ll certainly be one of the top prospects on any club that selects him.
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Who is your top goalie prospect? Do you want your team to select any of these goalies on this list? Let us know in the comments section below!