<p>Is it a strong year for goaltending prospects? </p>



<p>Compared to some other recent seasons, it sure feels that way. We have a projected first-round prospect in Joshua Ravensbergen, some good European representation and a realistic potential to have 4-5 goaltenders taken in the first two rounds.</p>



<p>The only thing the goaltending crop this year lacks is a high-end American keeper. The highest-rated goaltender playing in an American league, according to NHL Central Scouting, is Carl Axelsson from the NAHL’s Austin Bruins. Only four American goaltenders are ranked in the top 20 in the North American rankings, and you have to go down to 28th to find USA Hockey National Team Development program keeper Patrick Quinlan.</p>



<p>There’s still plenty of time to go with so much that can change on the goaltending front this year. But for now, here’s 10 names you need to know:</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="145"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars, WHL)</h2>



<p>Ravensbergen has a 6-foot-5 frame, is mobile and tracks pucks as well as anyone. Mix it all together, and there’s a lot to like about the Cougars goaltender. Some scouts are still worried about taking a goalie in the first round this year, and Ravensbergen has had a few stinkers this season. But more often than not, we’re talking about an 18-year-old goaltender who has had to carry his team to wins, and it’s rare to find a goalie his age with this much starter experience already.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads, OHL)</h2>



<p>If it wasn’t for Ivankovic’s 5-foot-11 frame, we’d be talking about a potential top 20 pick this year. Ivankovic played his way onto Canada’s World Junior team and looked good in his one start – which just happened to be the loss to Latvia. The athletic keeper does an excellent job of tracking shots and is as competitive as they get in the crease. His save percentage isn’t great in the OHL, but he’s been left hung out to dry a bit too often this year. More often than not, he’s finding a way to steal a game or two for the Steelheads. But if he doesn’t grow… it’s just going to be a tough hill for him to climb.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="207"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Pyotr Andreyanov (Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL)</h2>



<p>Andreyanov, the top-rated international-based goaltending prospect, has been truly dominant in the Russian junior league. His save percentage has been above .940 for most of the season, and while his team does score a lot, he seems to thrive when he faces more action. His glove hand is quick, he’s reactive when he needs to be, and he doesn’t get frazzled when he lets a goal in. He might be just 6-foot-1, but he’s athletic enough to make up for not having truly ideal size.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL)</h2>



<p>Beckman is having a standout year with the Drakkar, stealing a bunch of games throughout the year. He might only be 6-foot-1, but he’s calm in the crease and doesn’t give up many bad rebounds. He’s athletic and tracks pucks well, and some scouts have noted that his positioning looks a lot better than it did in his QMJHL Draft year. He has had a bunch of shutouts over the past two years, too, which doesn’t hurt.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="162"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Alexei Medvedev (London Knights, OHL)</h2>



<p>‘Medvedev went from some OK-at-best numbers playing Jr. B last year to one of the top goaltenders in major junior. His .922 save percentage is easily the best among draft eligibles and among the best in the CHL, regardless of age. He’s listed at just under 6-foot-3, and he happens to also be one of the youngest goaltenders in the class, being born five days before the Sept. 15 cutoff date. He’s extremely athletic, covers his angles well and does a great job of tracking pucks through traffic. Medvedev won’t have to wait long to hear his name called because he checks a lot of boxes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Semyon Frolov (Spartak, MHL)</h2>



<p>Frolov has bounced around to three different teams this year, but there’s one constant element in his game: he’s been good everywhere. The 6-foot-3 keeper has ideal size, he’s athletic and tracks shots well, allowing him to come out on top in 2-on-0 situations quite often. It’s still early, but some scouts think he could be a second or-third-rounder come June because he has all the makings of a solid, smart, calm goaltender. He doesn’t lack athleticism, either.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="184"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Love Härenstam (Skelleftea, Sweden U-20)</h2>



<p>At his best, Härenstam is one of the most athletic goaltenders in the NHL –&nbsp;someone capable of some show-stopping saves. But he tends to allow much weaker shots than he should on a consistent basis, something that was evident at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. It’s mostly when dealing with straight-on shots, because he’s actually great laterally and reads passing plays very well for his age. At the very least, I like how he anticipates shots and doesn’t give up on any chance. Härenstam hasn’t played in the SHL yet this year, but he did look good in his limited Champions Hockey League action, which is promising. Look for him to be Sweden’s starter for the U-18 World Championship in a few months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Samuel Meloche (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL)</h2>



<p>Going from the AAA ranks to becoming a QMJHL starting goalie is tough, but Meloche has risen up the ranks over the past year. He’s on pace for around 50 starts this year, and he has shown that a heavy workload hasn’t slowed him down. I think he has improved laterally as the season has progressed, and he doesn’t give up many bad rebounds, especially after stopping shots up high. I also think he’s got a good head on his shoulders, allowing himself to stay cool under pressure. Overall, there’s a lot to like.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="216"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Petteri Rimpinen (Kiekko-Espoo, Liiga)</h2>



<p>Rimpinen made a name for himself earlier this month after becoming the third straight undrafted prospect to take home top goaltender honors at the World Juniors. The only goalie with a better save percentage than Rimpinen (.933) with at least three starts was Canada’s Carter George at .936. The best news? This wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan example of a goaltender coming out of nowhere. Rimpinen was good against men in the second-tier Mestis last year and has been one of the Finnish Liiga’s top goalies in 2024-25 – a rare achievement for an 18-year-old. Rimpinen is just six-foot, which could hurt him. But he’s been excellent against tough competition all year long, so that might be worth something.<br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Ondrej Stebetak (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)</h2>



<p>Stebetak started the year off with an excellent showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and has kept the hot play going with the Winterhawks. The Czech goalkeeper reads cross-ice passes as well as anyone in this group, although it seems like he has some difficulty dealing with shots from farther away. I like Stebetak’s athleticism and competitive nature that’ll see him give his all on every single play, no matter the score or the situation. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="193"></div>



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