Pats recall young goaltender while injured Paddock heals
The future could be now for 15-year-old prospect Matthew Kieper.
The Regina Pats’ goalie of the future has been summoned from the midget AAA Winnipeg Bruins because of an injury to starter Max Paddock, who appears to have suffered a setback following off-season shoulder surgery.
Rookie backup Danton Belluk is expected to get the call Saturday against the Vancouver Giants while Sunday’s starter versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes is to be determined.
Paddock is slated to be out for the weekend and his status after that is up in the air pending further evaluation, which could open the door for Kieper to make his WHL debut.
“It would be nice (to play) but I’m just here to do whatever the team needs me to do,” he said after arriving at the Brandt Centre on Friday. “I’d really look forward to it. Honestly, I’d just play like it’s another game and try to do my best for the team.”
Kieper — a third-round pick in this year’s bantam draft — was a standout in training camp and the pre-season when he compiled a 2.63 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in three exhibition appearances.
The youngster has played two midget AAA games this season, going 1-1 with a 1.51 GAA and a .961 save percentage
Kieper also served as Regina’s backup for two games last month while Paddock was out due to a minor medical procedure unrelated to his current issue.
As an underage player, Kieper is only eligible to appear in five WHL games until his midget AAA season is done.
“It has been a great experience so far (with the Pats),” he said. “It’s great just seeing what it’s all about. I think it’s really great for my development.”
Meanwhile, the Pats remain hopeful that injured defenceman Nikita Sedov might be cleared to return this weekend after missing the past five games.
Former Pats forward Dawson Holt cleared waivers following Thursday’s 20-year-old deadline, making him a CHL free agent. Holt was cut loose after Regina swung a trade with Brandon for defenceman Zach Wytinck, who is slated to make his Pats debut Saturday.
NOTE: The Western Hockey League announced two rule changes on Friday:
■ Effective immediately, when a double minor for high-sticking is assessed due to injury, it will automatically be reviewed by the video goal judge to determine if it’s upheld or overturned.
■ When a delayed penalty is signalled and the team not being penalized ices the puck, the ensuing faceoff will be conducted in the penalized team’s zone instead of outside the blue-line.