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Goalies aren’t feeling the heat ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft

Scott Matla/EOTP

Goaltenders are a unique breed. Where many players may feel pressure or nervousness with the NHL Draft approaching, the goalies of the 2023 class seem almost aloof. They all know what is upcoming and how it impacts their future career, and yet for the most part it doesn’t seem to be fazing any of them.

One of the first goalies projected to go off the board, Michael Hrabal, didn’t seem to mind much where he would end up.

“I just want to get to the NHL with a team that wants me,” said the 6’7″ netminder at the 2023 Scouting Combine in Buffalo.

Despite a frustrating World Under-18 Championship, during which he won just a single game on a lacklustre Czechia squad, Hrabal is confident as we tick toward his name being called.

He’s had a unique path to the NCAA, coming over from the Czech Junior leagues to the USHL, and then on to the University of Massachusetts this fall. Given his incredible size, relentless drive to win, and great athleticism, he shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called in Nashville.

2023 NHL Draft prospect profile: Michael Hrabal has a future starter projection
The giant goalie from Czechia showed his mettle this year both at home and in the USHL.

On the other side of the coin is a player who has waited over a year now to hear his name announced on the draft stage. Slovak netminder Adam Gajan finds himself entering the NHL Draft for a second time after being passed over last year in Montreal. To even get back into the draft conversation was a significant undertaking for him.

“I was setting up a Go-Pro, to show how I was making saves, or puck-handling and stuff,” Gajan explained. “Then I was editing the footage into five- to 10-minute videos and just sending it to teams to try to get their attention.”

It’s impressive dedication from the 19-year-old goalie, and that dedication paid off as the Chippewa Steel took note and brought him into the NAHL last year. It seems like an odd step, but with him intent on going the college route, it was a necessary one.

It is also a step that helped to rocket his profile into the eyes of the draft world as his play with the Steel helped him earn a role on the Slovak team at the World Juniors and eventually an offer from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, a perennial contender at the NCAA level.

2023 NHL Draft prospect profile: Adam Gajan surprised with Slovakia at the World Juniors
Gajan burst onto the scene at the World Juniors, but is that enough to get him drafted?

While Gajan and Hrabal took more unorthodox routes to the NCAA, Trey Augustine seems to have followed a straight beeline to the collegiate level. The backstop of a powerhouse United States National Team Development Program, Augustine is also in the running to be the top goalie prospect in 2023, but he knows there’s a lot more to an NHL career than just getting drafted.

“No matter what, there’s still a long road after the draft and all you can do is try to get better every day after,” he said.

Augustine already enters this draft with a number of accolades to his name, from tournaments and his work in the USNTDP. Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perreault both repeatedly called him “the best goalie in the world,” stating how hard it is to even score on him in practice.

“You get the puck to the opposite side of the net, and you look over and he’s got it covered already. He’s the best at what he does,” said Leonard during his post-testing interview.

That feeling is mutual, too. Augustine credits the incredible talent on the U.S. top line of Leonard, Will Smith, and Perreault for forcing him to be at his best every day.

“Guys like Gabe make plays happen that you barely notice, and it keeps you on your toes in practice,” explained Augustine.

2023 NHL Draft prospect profile: Trey Augustine backstopped the US at the Worlds Junior
Augustine helped carry Team USA to bronze at the WJC, and that elevated his status for the draft.

Three of the top goalies entering into the NHL Draft all took different career paths to end up in similar spots. While there may be plenty of discussion about who will be selected first among scouts and fans, not a single one of the netminders is feeling any stress about the situation at all.

The Montreal Canadiens have talked to all three of these goaltenders during the combine. With the Habs in the market for more prospects between the pipes, they may have struck gold with this draft class.

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