Goalie's View

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We are just a couple of days out from the VHL draft. Nerves set in for everyone involved. The GM's nervous and pressured to make the correct pick. The players nervous to find out where they land and if they're drafted to a contender or a rebuilder. It can be argued that the goaltender has to face the most stress however. A goaltender drafted to a defensively week team can lead to detrimental physical abuse. Too many shots and too many goals can also leave a goaltender weak mentally. We've seen it before, a goalie gets over used in the regular season and then disappears come playoffs. Constant exposure can lead to a faster decline for most goaltenders. However, if the said goaltender is drafted to a defense first mentality team, the results can be drastically different. Being able to find your game at the higher professional levels takes time. Especially for one and done prospects in the NHL and VHL. Spending one season in the minors forces teams and players to get it right come draft day. Can a player who struggled in the minors succeed in the majors? Can a player who performed well on a good team play well for a rebuilder? Time will tell. With so many budding stars in this year's draft it will be difficult to tell which will be steals and which will be busts. We sat down with Owen May, future VHL goaltender and asked him of the pressure he feels for the upcoming draft.

 

" Obviously I'm a little worried. I really want to make a good first impression and I'm not sure if I'm completely prepared for the VHL. But it's my time to move on to bigger things and be a part of a bigger cause. I wanna be the best goaltender in the league, will that happen the first year? No. Will it happen in the next five? I'm not sure. So I just want to be on a team that's competitve on the ice and fun off the ice. I feel as long as I'm comfortable with my situation I can do some great things between the pipes this season. I just hope that wherever I land that the team is happy with me and welcomes me."

 

When asked what he would do if he was given the reigns to a VHL franchise at the S66 draft, May laughed and responded accordingly,

 

"I'd have to take myself first overall now wouldn't I? (laughs). In reality, I'd be looking for a talented forward and defenseman to be the cornerstone of my franchise. I think Riga has a very interesting situation on their hands with three first round picks and five total picks in the first twenty selections. This draft is so deep, I can't imagine they don't pick some great players. I think if they play their cards right in each round they'll be a dynasty. Key word there is right. If you don't use those picks wisely, everything kinda gets nipped in the bud."