TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: THE GOALTENDERS
20-year-old Eric Brassard more than proved his worth during an exciting playoff run by the Mooseheads in the Spring, making more saves than any other goalie in the QMJHL postseason. Brassard will enter the 2015-2016 season as the number one option between the pipes for the Herd, while Kevin Resop is back for his second season in Halifax. Resop played significant minutes as a rookie, appearing in 35 games and finishing with a record of 14-17-2-1. He also set a franchise record with three assists in the final game of the regular season.
“I’m excited to get back and see everyone and I’m looking forward to meeting all the new guys and being back on the ice working with the team,” Resop said.
Resop notes there are five other goaltenders who hope to claim a spot on the roster and will be intent on giving the Mooseheads front office something to think about.
“I expect everyone is going to come into camp ready to go and working their hardest to impress the coaches and staff. It’s going to be a fun and intense atmosphere at the rink.”
Kevin Martin, a sixth round pick by Halifax in 2014, was called up for a brief stint last season and dressed as the backup when Brassard was out with an injury. The Chambly, QC native went 5-13 with a 3.59 GAA and an .892 Save Percentage with Antoine-Girouard in QMAAA last season.
Ryan Huestis of Wellington, NS will participate in his first camp with the Herd after he was signed to the club’s protected list last winter. Huestis was impressive in his rookie campaign with the Cole Harbour Wolfpack last season and earned the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League’s Top Goalie award with a 2.24 goals against average in 23 games. His posted a record of 16-7 with three shutouts.
Jean-Philippe Brais is a 19-year-old former 10th round draft pick of Halifax in the 2013 QMJHL Draft. He was 3-11 last season with the Valleyfield Braves in the QJHL with an .867 Save Percentage and a 5.42 GAA.
Raphael Blais (pictured) was selected by the Mooseheads in the sixth round of June’s QMJHL Entry Draft and saw limited action as a rookie with the Saint-Eustache Vikings in QMAAA. Blais has trained this summer with fellow Vikings alumni Zach Fucale. He is a big goalie, standing six-foot-two and weighing 178 pounds.
Kirklin Allen was another draft pick by the Moose in June when the club selected the Stillwater Lake, NS native in the 12th round. Allen had a stellar season with the Halifax McDonald’s in the NSMMHL with an 11-6 record to go along with two shutouts. The 16-year-old had a 2.82 GAA and a .921 Save Percentage. Allen also played for Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Winter Games and at the Gatorade Excellence Challenge in May.
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