The Calgary Flames are in an intriguing position this season. Defying expectations, the team has emerged as a potential playoff contender instead of a lottery team. A significant factor in their success has been the outstanding performance of Dustin Wolf.
Wolf was drafted in the seventh round during the 2019 NHL Draft and that selection has easily become a steal for Calgary. He has taken on the responsibility of being an NHL goaltender quite well, posting a 0.926 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA. As Wolf plays more games, his case for the Calder this season grows even more.
However, it’s also an interesting case to see how the other goaltenders drafted before Wolf are currently doing. In this article, let’s look at all the goalies selected before Wolf in the 2019 NHL Draft and see how their careers are currently playing out. For reference, I’ll use a tweet by Twitter/X user @teapot_toff as inspiration for the players that’ll be mentioned!
Spencer Knight, 13th overall
Starting off the list, we have Spencer Knight who was drafted in the first round by the Florida Panthers. It’s rare to see goaltenders getting drafted this high, so the Panthers were pretty high on Knight to use the 13th overall pick on him. Knight has appeared in more NHL games than Wolf in his career so far, but his numbers have been mixed.
His journey since being drafted has consisted of bouncing between the NHL and AHL. This season, Knight has appeared in seven games, sporting a 3-3 record with a 0.897 save percentage.
The stats so far throughout his time in the NHL have been underwhelming given his draft position, but there’s still optimism about his development, especially since he’s only 23 years old. He has also battled issues off the ice, which have contributed to his lack of games.
Pyotr Kochetkov, 36th overall
Pyotr Kochetkov has been quite the success story for the Carolina Hurricanes. Last season, he appeared in 42 games posting a 0.911 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA. This season, his record stands out as being 10-2 despite his save percentage only being at 0.904. The Hurricanes have been as dominant as ever so far to start the season.
With all the injury troubles the Hurricanes have experienced with Fredrik Anderson, Kochetkov has emerged as a potential starter for the team’s future. Looking back at it, the Hurricanes don’t regret using their second-round pick on Kochetkov, as he’s likely going to be the team’s starter, given how he’s only 25 years old.
Mads Sogaard, 37th overall
Despite Mads Sogaard still only being 23 years old, his career hasn’t quite got off to the start the Ottawa Senators have potentially hoped for.
Sogaard has only played a career total of 28 NHL games and has a career save percentage of 0.881. As a result of his struggles, he’s mostly bounced between the NHL and AHL, and he has also experienced issues with the injury bug. He’s still young, but Sogaard’s ceiling at this point is likely an NHL backup or acting as a third goalie for an organization.
Hunter Jones, 59th overall
Currently a part of the Minnesota Wild organization, Hunter Jones has yet to see any action at the NHL level.
In fact, the amount of games he’s appeared in ever since he’s been drafted has been minimal. Jones has bounced around between the AHL and ECHL, as he’s currently with the ECHL’s Trois-Rivieres Lions for this season. He’s played a total of five games so far, averaging a 0.901 save percentage. As for the AHL, Jones has only appeared in 30 games since his draft year with the Iowa Wild.
Being 24, it’s safe to say that Jones will likely be a minor-league player for the majority of his playing career. His NHL prospects are very low and it’s unlikely he gets any looks anytime soon.
Erik Portillo, 67th overall
Originally drafted 67th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, Erik Portillo is currently with the Los Angeles Kings organization, after they acquired him for a 2023 third-round pick.
Despite not seeing any NHL action yet, Portillo has been performing well for the Kings’ AHL affiliate team, the Ontario Reign. His best season with the Reign was his first, where he had a 24-11-3 record with a 0.918 save percentage. This season, Portillo has a 4-2 record with a 0.906 save percentage.
Portillo’s projections are still unknown, but he has the tools to be a servable NHL backup. Given how the Kings gave a mid-round pick to acquire Portillo, the organization must be pretty high on him.
Hugo Alnefelt, 71st overall
Drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Lighting, Hugo Alnefelt is currently playing in Sweden for 2024-25 season. His last stint in North America was with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, where he put up mediocre numbers.
Alnefelt managed to get one NHL start with the Lightning during the 2021-22 season, but it was in relief for the team who lost 9-3 to the Florida Panthers on December 30th, 2021. His NHL stats include a 0.770 save percentage and a GAA of nine. Yikes.
Given how he hasn’t been given an NHL look since then, Europe will likely be his best option moving forward.
Ilya Konovalov, 85th overall
Since being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, Ilya Konovalov has only played 17 games of professional hockey in North America.
That was with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL during the 2021-22 season. Since then, he’s been playing in the KHL as he’s currently playing for Vladivostok Admiral this season. His numbers haven’t been the best, and it’s likely the KHL will be the league he plays in for the majority of his playing career.
Lukas Parik, 87th overall
Lukas Parik, a goaltender from the Czech Republic, has been playing hockey in his home country for the last three seasons. Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings, the last time he played in North America was with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL during the 2022-23 season. He’s currently playing for Vitkovice HC.
Colten Ellis, 93rd overall
Colten Ellis has been a minor-leaguer ever since he was selected by the St. Louis Blues.
He’s played in both the ECHL and AHL, and he’s currently playing for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds for this season. The 24-year-old has been putting up strong numbers, but it’s unknown if he truly has any NHL potential.
Cole Brady, 127th overall
College hockey has been where Cole Brady has been playing ever since he was selected by the New Jersey Devils. The 23-year-old was included in the Chris Tanev trade in a three-team deal, and he’s currently under contract with the Dallas Stars organization. An AHL deal may be in the cards for him in the future.
Isaiah Saville, 135th overall
Drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights, Isaiah Saville has yet to play a game this season, but he’s been spending the last few years with the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate team in Henderson. He has yet to appear in an NHL game
Frederik Dichow, 138th overall
Frederik Dichow was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens and is currently playing in Sweden. He hasn’t played professional hockey in North America since being drafted, and his start to this season has been miserable.
His current record with his Swedish team, HV71 Jonkoping, is 3-7 paired with a 0.857 save percentage and a 3.57 GAA.
Logan Neaton, 144th overall
Logan Neaton has been mostly in the college hockey scene since being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets. This season he’s currently playing in the ECHL for the Kalamazoo Wings. He’ll likely remain within that sphere.
Ethan Haider, 148th overall
Selected by the Nashville Predators, Ethan Haider is another goaltender who has also stuck mostly to the college scene. He recently transitioned to the ECHL this season, where he’s currently playing for the Atlanta Gladiators.
Arturs Silovs, 156th overall
Now to a goaltender who has seen a handful of NHL games so far, Arturs Silovs is an intriguing player within the Vancouver Canucks’ system.
He’s appeared in 16 games for the Canucks over three seasons, as he’s mostly been bouncing between the NHL and AHL. However, there are many reasons to believe that Silovs does have an NHL future, and he’ll likely be an impactful goaltender in this league. Despite recent struggles, Silovs is still quite young and has time to develop.
He also got playing experience in last year’s 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he got 10 starts and helped the Canucks reach game seven of the second round against the Edmonton Oilers.
Dominic Basse, 167th overall
Dominic Basse is currently playing college hockey for St. Lawrence University of the ECAC. He’s been another member of the college hockey scene since his draft selection by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Roddy Ross, 169th overall
Roddy Ross has yet to make an appearance in professional hockey. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently playing for the University of Saskatchewan.
Carter Gylander, 191st overall
After being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, Carter Gylander was playing college hockey. Over the last two seasons, he attempted to transition into professional hockey, where he played one game with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins last season.
This year, he’s currently playing for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.
Filip Lindberg, 197th overall
Finnish goaltender Filip Lindberg is currently playing in his home country for the SM-liiga Finnish league. Drafted by the Minnesota Wild, he would later sign as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he had a two-year stint with their AHL affiliate team in Wilkes-Barre.
Trent Miner, 202nd overall
Since being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche, Trent Miner has mostly been playing for their AHL affiliate team, the Colorado Eagles.
He managed to appear in one NHL game this season, recording a 0.923 save percentage after making 12 saves in relief in a 5-2 Avalanche loss.
Vadim Zherenko, 208th overall
Last but not least, Vadim Zherenko was the final goaltender before Wolf to be selected. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues, and has been playing for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds for the last three seasons.
The Flames struck it rich with Wolf’s selection
It’s safe to say that Wolf has one of the brightest futures as an NHL goaltender out of this list. Despite the Flames picking him very late in the draft, they saw his potential even though his height was small compared to the average goalie today.
Wolf has proved the haters wrong as his smaller frame has proven to not be a negative at all. It just proves that a player like Wolf lets his play do the talking, as he has begun to turn heads all around the league.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
