Justin Lion - Junior Review

[Emperor_Fun 70]

From Travel League Skater to Potential VHL Netminder

 

              Justin Lion is a 6’3” 210-pound goaltender from Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s played several positions in travel hockey teams while learning the game through U8 to U12 divisions, learning to skate at the age of 3. Lion is someone who’s always had a passion for the ice but didn’t start playing in net until he was 13, when the U14 travel team he was on had 2 sick and injured goalies and despite never playing the position before, took up being the emergency goaltender at that time, and had a surprisingly impressive performance given the circumstances. He became an impact netminder very quickly in games and in practices, even getting the attention of the internet in some small-time forums with how unlikely the story was playing out. In his travel league career as a netminder, he averaged a .905 sv% with a 3.29 GAA, had to make a lot of saves and learn how to do it quickly to keep his teams in the game. Justin Lion was able to make moderate success while learning the basics of the position, as in his best season in travel leagues, he won 20 games while losing 15 in regulation and losing 3 in overtime.

 

               From when he turned 14 to right before he turned 16, he grew 9 inches and added on muscle to hit his current height and weight of 6 feet, 3 inches, and to hit 210 pounds, losing the lanky build he had while still a skater. A switch to goalie that late in your youth career, right before you have to take Juniors very seriously, is a fascinating path to the VHLM, where a Mississauga Hounds team desperate for players and trying to get itself in a rebuilding stage, where Lion was able to show off despite going on the 33 game losing streak with the Hounds, as they struggled to win all season, despite some incredibly strong performances on the ice from Lion, showing that even a late transition to the net doesn’t stop the raw talent that he has for the sport. Gaining the attention of many GMs for the official VHLM draft, VHLE draft and VHL draft.

 

               Through the season he’s developed a more instinctive feel for where the puck is likely going to go, his reaction time is getting nearly spot on. He plays with his heart on his sleeve, but still very mentally strong and fights back after allowing any goal. It’s hard to predict where his career will go, but as he’s getting attention through a late entry in the VHLM, his career start continues to be unlikely and incredibly interesting, and people will be paying attention to how he develops.

 

(Word Count - 457 words)