Pats shuffle faces at third-string goalie
The Regina Pats wanted to do right by goaltender Kurtis Chapman.
With his path blocked by veteran Tyler Brown and rookie backup Max Paddock, the Pats traded Chapman, 19, to the Kootenay Ice on Wednesday for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2018 WHL bantam draft.
A few hours later, the Pats addressed the void by acquiring Jacob Wassermann, 17, from the Vancouver Giants for a sixth-rounder in 2018.
“Some of it has to do with age,” head coach/GM John Paddock said. “You’re trying to look after yourself now and in the future.”
The Pats also wanted to look after Chapman, a seventh-round pick in 2013. He has won league titles at the Alberta midget AAA and Manitoba junior A levels, but the timing hasn’t been right for him to climb any higher than third on Regina’s depth chart.
“Kurtis has been really good this training camp,” Paddock said. “Like I told him, ‘You’re ready to play in the league.’ (But) we have an overage goaltender who is a clear No. 1 and we have another young goalie. We have to get (Max) into 20 or 25 games for the future.
“I don’t think it’s right to keep (Chapman) out of the league if you can get him in the league. That has sort of been my plan to start with and his play certainly helped the situation.”
Chapman has come a long way since he made one emergency start last season and got the hook after just 20 minutes, allowing four goals on 13 shots against the Prince Albert Raiders.
After, he rejoined the MJHL’s Portage Terriers and backstopped them to a league title, posting a 2.07 GAA, .931 save percentage and three shutouts in the playoffs. Chapman followed it up recently with a solid showing in the preseason, going 1-1-0 with a 3.61 GAA and a .905 save percentage.
It was enough to get him an opportunity with Kootenay.
Chapman’s spot on Regina’s depth chart now belongs to Wassermann, a 6-foot-5, 192-pounder selected by Vancouver in the eighth round of the 2015 bantam draft. He spent last season with the midget AAA Saskatoon Blazers, going 1013-0 with a 3.23 GAA and .902 save percentage. He was even better in the playoffs (1.81 GAA, .947 SP, one shutout), helping Saskatoon go the full five games in a first-round series against the eventual league champions, Regina Pat Canadians.
Wassermann stopped 21 of 23 shots in one pre-season appearance this year with Vancouver before he was assigned to the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos, his hometown team. His proximity to Regina is attractive to the Pats, who want someone close by in case of emergency. They also wanted a younger goalie who can hopefully be developed for a full-time role down the road.
“We couldn’t move (Chapman) without finding another goaltender,” Paddock said. “(Wassermann) happens to be the same age as Max. It gives us a little bit more stability for the future. We’ll try and get a read on him. If need be, we obviously think he’s capable of filling in. He’s the No. 1 goalie with the junior A team. He’s progressing from midget to junior. That’s all good stuff.”
EXTRAS: D Jonathan Smart (Toronto Maple Leafs) and C Matt Bradley (Minnesota Wild) returned to Regina after taking part in rookie camps/tournaments. D Liam Schioler (Edmonton Oilers) is also on his way back … The Pats’ final home pre-season game is Friday (7 p.m., Brandt Centre) against the Raiders. They wrap up the exhibition schedule Saturday in P.A . ... Regina opens the regular season Sept. 22 in Brandon.