JB Rift Rookie Profile [2/2]

[Devise 4,475]

JB Rift Rookie Profile

Position: Goalie

Height: 6'7

Weight: 208 lbs

Age: 24

VHLM Drafted: 22nd Overall to  in S63

VHL GM Player Acquisition with  in S64

 

 

JB Rift entered the league in S63, after being drafted to the Ottawa Lynx 22nd overall. Rift would go on to play two seasons with Ottawa in S63 and S64. In Season 63, JB wound up as the back up goalie for much of the season. Still Rift started 38 games in Season 63 in what wound up being a learning curve season for the young netminder. Posting a 0.862 save percentage, and a 3.88 goals against average, the Lynx wound up on the losing end 27 of the 38 games Rift started. While Ottawa would make it to the Founders Cup finals JB played no playoff games making it very clear even in Season 63, young Rift would need much more seasoning. 

 

Season 64 saw an upswing for JB as he found himself now with the lions share of the minutes as full on Ottawa starter. Rift wound up starting 62 of the 72 games for Ottawa in S64, and had much improved statistics in his second season in the minors. Rift finished with a .901 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average to go with 4 shutouts. More impressive was Rift helping to carry Ottawa to much more successful season, as the team finished 3rd but one of the only 3 teams to reach above 100 points in the season. Record wise Rift potted an impressive 41-15-6 for the Lynx. Ultimately Rift and his Lynx would get ousted before the Founders Cup finals, courtesy of the Halifax 21st. Rift wound up winning the Benoit Devereux trophy as the VHLM's top goalie in Season 64, his lone award as he had now booked his ticket to enter the VHL. 

 

Fast forward to Season 65, JB Rifts VHL rookie season....and there isn't really much to tell here. It was very clear to management and Rift himself that more grooming was required, but Rift was already past the talent threshold for the VHLM. As such Rift embraced a full on back up role, one that saw him play no more than 8 games in Season 65. While going 6-1-1 with a .914 and a 2.23 goals against average is hardly bad in your rookie season, with such a low sample size it's tough to take stock or judge the real value of the stats. Ultimately Rift's rookie season in the VHL probably brought about more questions than answers, as the young player heads through Season 66 and takes on full starting duty at the VHL level, then he we will be tested and we will truly get to see what he's made of. 

 

Pro's

 

Size: While size is generally considered a common asset to most players, it can be particularly deadly if you are a goalie. Even more so if the goalie in question knows how to use it well. At 6'7, Rift keeps a laser focus on his positional game so as to take advantage of his large lanky frame as best as possible. Rift also keeps a medium heavy build, but is generally a pretty agile player especially considering his height and general build. 

 

Competitive Spirit: If there was ever a case of a player who preferred some struggles, it would be with Rift. Often the player prefers to face adversity or even outright struggle as he finds it brings out the best in him. Ultimately it doesn't matter what the score, season, or overall standings are as he'll be game to play and treat every opportunity as a chance to showcase what he's got and improve upon it as well. 

 

Overall Goalie Vision: A big reason JB felt his calling as a goalie was due to his natural hand eye coordination. Rift has great goalie vision, allowing him to read the players being set up and get in position and more so following the puck as it changes directions making him an excellent goalie at stopping deflections and at picking up and controlling rebounds. 

 

Cons

 

In Game Temper: While JB is not a very outward or angry person, he does have an in game temper that can break his focus and affect his game. Missing a shot he should of had, getting riled up because of another player or a particular play can often cause the young netminder to waver his attention. While his anger is usually never pushed out towards other players, so as to risk as penalty, the player does have a habit of over analyzing his own mistakes as opposed to just through them. 

 

Young and Unrefined: JB Rift has a very high ceiling, that much is certain. But if there was ever a case of a prospect who had a lot of ground to make up to that high ceiling, it's with Rift. The young goalie may require more games played than your average player before he finally finds his rhythm. While JB does possess several elite skills, the majority of his fundamentals continue to get refined on the fly due to a limited pool of competition faced. 

 

Reserved and Stoic: Off the ice JB may be one of the most reserved and stoic players. While generally these skills server him well, it often leads to situations where he isn't very open or talkative with fellow teammates, coaches or other staff. This can cause particular problems when Rift himself is struggling, as he'll internalize a lot of the on ice frustrations and attempt to play through them himself. It will take work to help bring this player out of his shell so that he'll be more readily be able to accept guidance and coaching. 

 

[HenrikZoiderberg 469]

Review:

 

Title and picture look good. Solid formatting. I'd suggest adding hometown/country to the initial stat blurb but nothing major there.

 

Summary's solid but a conclusion would be nice as well.

 

On 6/9/2019 at 9:19 PM, Devise said:

While size is generally considered a common asset to most players, it can be particularly deadly if you are a goalie

 

I dig it, Ben Bishop.

 

On 6/9/2019 at 9:19 PM, Devise said:

Competitive Spirit:

 

Nice. It looks good when the pros aren't just dumps of TPE stats.

 

On 6/9/2019 at 9:19 PM, Devise said:

Missing a shot he should of had

 

should have* had

 

On 6/9/2019 at 9:19 PM, Devise said:

While JB does possess several elite skills, the majority of his fundamentals continue to get refined on the fly due to a limited pool of competition faced. 

 

What fundamentals specifically beyond hand-eye and positioning, both of which you've marked as pros?

 

On 6/9/2019 at 9:19 PM, Devise said:

Off the ice JB may be one of the most reserved and stoic players.

 

I thought he had a temper.

 

Beyond the contradictions this one's pretty good, word count looks fine. +1

Edited July 4, 2019 by HenrikZoiderberg

[Greg_Di 933]

Review: Other then the contradictions zoiderberg mentioned above it was well written. The summary maybe was a bit too long for a rookie profile and I would add a conclusion. I think there was only one nhl goalie that was 6'7 which was Ben Bishop, will be interesting to see how Rift does going forward!