Trio of goalies are in battle for Rangers’ backup job
Richardson starting; Opilka, McGonigle injured; Pfeil, Hasley, Hearne trying out
KITCHENER — Wanted: a backup goalie.
There is no official job posting on East Avenue, but the Kitchener Rangers are on the hunt for some help in net.
Hip injuries to veteran netminders Luke Opilka and Chris McGonigle mean the starting gig will fall to 18-year-old Luke Richardson.
The Barrie native is the most battled-tested option left. With 24 games over parts of two seasons under his belt, he will get every chance to prove he can be the leading man when the pucks drops next month.
But the backup role? As of now, it’s up for grabs.
“For the guys behind Richardson it’s a chance to potentially win a job and be apart of our team,” said Rangers goalie coach Kain Tisi. “We’re looking for a guy to come in and seize the opportunity.”
There are three options at training camp, which got into full swing Tuesday with a pair of intrasquad scrimmages at the Aud.
Lucas Pfeil, 17, was the team’s sixth-round selection in the 2016 Ontario Hockey League draft, and is coming off a strong season at St. Catharines prep school Ridley College.
He also got a spot start for the Rangers this past season and allowed five goals on 18 shots in a loss against the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Connor Hasley was Kitchener’s ninth-round pick in this year’s draft but, at just 16, might be better served playing every day back home with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres for another season.
Free agent Jacob Hearne rounds out the hopefuls. The 17-year-old from Ennismore went undrafted, but had a solid year at Quebec’s Stanstead College in the prep school loop.
The Rangers have been eyeing Hearne since minor midget, and were so impressed with his performance at this year’s spring camp that they invited him back for the main gathering.
“With the spot opening up I’m more excited than I was before,” said Hearne, who turned down an invitation to Peterborough’s training camp for a shot in Kitchener. “I want to work, improve, learn every day and try to make a good impression.”
Pfeil, too, is excited about the sudden fluidity in net.
“When I heard about the opening, I just wanted to come to camp and put my best foot forward and show that I deserve to play here,” he said.
Getting a taste of the OHL last season gave Pfeil a hunger to return.
“I think that helped my confidence,” said the Owen Sound native.
“It showed me how hard I have to work and what I have to do to play at the next level.”
Opilka isn’t expected back until December. McGonigle is skating again, but the team is nursing him along slowly and his return date remains unknown.
That leaves the door open for a backup.
All that remains to be seen is who wins the job — Pfeil, Hasley or Hearne.
“There is an opportunity for those guys to step into more of a substantial role,” said Tisi.