Goalie prospect eyes the future
Scott will represent Canada at upcoming world junior tournament Ian Scott has a 1.61 goals-against average with a .943 save percentage in 26 games.
Goaltending prospect Ian Scott doesn’t exactly have a date in mind when he’ll suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he is one step closer to that goal, having signed a three-year, $2.775million (U.S.) entry-level deal on the weekend.
“I don’t have a hard-set date (on making the NHL), but I would say as soon as possible would be the ideal goal,” Scott said in a phone interview on Monday.
Scott, 19, played one regularseason game with the AHL’s Marlies last year after his season in the WHL with Prince Albert ended. He worked out regularly with the Marlies on their Calder Cup run and attended the Leafs’ training camp in September in what was the beginning of a whirlwind chain of events for the 6-foot-3 goaltender.
“It feels pretty good (to sign),” he said. “It was an exciting day. I’ve had lots of opportunities to get my feet wet in Toronto. They’ve had lots of confidence and trust in me. It’s good they’re helping me take that next step into pro hockey.”
For now, Scott is wearing the Maple Leaf of that other iconic hockey outfit — Team Canada — where he’s sharing the net with Michael DiPietro of the Ottawa 67’s heading into the world junior tournament.
“It’s a great opportunity to represent your country, your team and your family and play against some of the best players in junior hockey from around the world,” said Scott.
And when that tournament is over, he’ll go back to the Raiders, where he is putting up spectacular numbers. He is 232-1, with a 1.61 goals-against average and .943 save percentage.
“It comes with team success,” said Scott. “We’re a top-ranked team. That all starts from inside the dressing room.”
He’s proficient at keeping the puck out of the net, but he can also contribute offensively as well — Scott scored a goal Nov. 16 against the TriCity Americans in a 3-1 Prince Albert win.
“That was pretty exciting,” he said of his goal. “You don’t really get that opportunity as a goalie. It was a fun little achievement, I guess.”
The Leafs drafted Scott in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, a year after the Leafs drafted goalie Joseph Woll, now in Boston College, in the third round. Woll was a member of Team USA at last year’s world juniors.
That gives the Leafs two highend goaltending prospects, which will come in handy after Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard were claimed off waivers prior to the start of the NHL season.
The Leafs’ depth chart in net is a little thin after starter Frederik Andersen and backup Garret Sparks; neither Kasimir Kaskisuo nor Eamon McAdam are having great seasons with the Marlies.
And while the development of goalies tends to take longer than most other positions, fate can play a role; just look at Carter Hart, who won gold for Canada last year at the world juniors and was called up this week by the Philadelphia Flyers.
“You just have to be ready whenever,” said Scott.
“You never know when you’ll get your first opportunity to lace up for the big club. You just have to keep working and be ready for that.”