Harvey a tough stopper to stop
19-year-old long shot was overlooked until Canada’s scouts couldn’t ignore him
ST. CATHARINES, ONT.— Samuel Harvey is the one that is not like the others at Canada’s world junior selection camp. The 19-year-old is the only player on a roster of 33 that has not been drafted by an NHL team.
The Rouyn-Noranda goaltender been overlooked twice. It kind of stuck in his craw because he was expecting to be drafted this past June. But it didn’t happen.
“I was disappointed, but it was not my decision,” said Harvey, one of three players from the Quebec league in camp. “I can only control my performance.”
But in a way, he credits the setback with focusing him on his future.
“This year, my goal was to get better,” Harvey said. “Goalies sometimes develop late, so for me, this year, I took a big step. It may be unusual to be undrafted at this camp, but I’m very happy to be here.”
Harvey went 26-10-3 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .900 save percentage last year. This year, he is 17-4-1, with a 2.33 GAA and .924 save percentage.
“His play just dictated the invitation,” said Brad McEwan, Canada’s chief scout. “We don’t bring, historically, four goalies. But it was a case of he was playing so well in the Quebec league, and he played both the Russia series games and played outstanding, that there was a guy whose play said, ‘Listen, you’ve got to bring me.’ So we did.” McEwan told Harvey as much in player interviews earlier this week.
“It felt great to hear that,” said Harvey.
Besides Harvey, the national team has invited Carter Hart (Everett, WHL), Michael DiPietro (Windsor, OHL) and Colton Point (Colgate University).
Hart and Point backstopped a team of university all-stars to a 3-0 win over Canada in an exhibition game at the Meridian Centre on Wednesday. DiPietro and Harvey each allowed one goal in the Canadian net, with the final goal scored into an empty net. The four goalies will switch sides in a rematch Thursday.
“It’s not about, “One guy gave up one goal, the other guy gave up two,
“There was a guy whose play said, ‘Listen, you’ve got to bring me.’ So we did.” BRAD MCEWAN ON GOALTENDER SAMUEL HARVEY
so we cut the guy who gave up two’,” head coach Dominic Ducharme said. “It’s more about the way (they’re) playing, their strengths, how they can adjust to a higher level . . .
“It’s the way they play their games. It’s also what our goalie coach sees in them that can make them successful.”
Goalie coach Eric Raymond said what he’s looking for is simple.
“I’m looking for a gold medal,” said Raymond, adding picking goalies is an inexact science. “No one has a crystal ball, especially when you have four goalies that can play.
“It’s a little bit experience, it’s a little bit feelings, the way you think the game is going to be played and which guy can apply his skills to it at the next level. Because this is the next level. This is almost pro.”
Hart, who was the No. 1 goalie last year when Canada lost the gold medal game in a shootout, is the favou- rite.
“He’s been through the tournament, so does he have an edge? Yes. Experience matters,” Ducharme said. “At the same time, we want to have the 22 best guys making the team. But he was there last year, there was a reason why. He’s showing why with his season right now.
“We’re happy to have a goaltender who went through the tournament, it’s not an easy position. It’s a challenge. It’s a different stage, especially for goalies.”
Hart, a draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, is 13-3-1 with 1.32 GAA and .961 save percentage with the Silvertips.
AStars pick, Point is 8-4-4,1.90, .938 in Colgate. A Canucks prospect, DiPietro is 17-7-0, 2.67, .917 with the Spitfires.
If Canada is looking for the future, then DiPietro may have the inside track. At 18, he’s the only one of the four who would be eligible to play next year when the tournament is to be held in Victoria and Vancouver. It’s also possible Canada could carry a third goalie, the only roster exception allowed in case of injury.
As for Harvey’s goal? “I just want to make their decision tough.”