Goaltending prospect hits the reset button
O’Connor’s performance took tumble after starting 2015-16 home opener
It’s safe to say Matt O’Connor is happily hitting the reset button on the start of his pro career.
“Last year, I had very high expectations and came in with the mentality of making the team,” the Ottawa Senators goaltending prospect said following Thursday’s development camp workout. “Obviously, it’s a long journey to be an NHL goalie. I’ve got to learn that and be patient.”
In O’Connor’s case, that patience included going a full three months and 11 games before tasting a pro victory with Binghamton of the AHL. It also meant being in the direct line of fire in March, when Senators owner Eugene Melnyk called out former coach Dave Cameron for “stupidity” by starting O’Connor in last season’s homeopener.
Along the way, the lofty expectations that heralded O’Connor’s arrival as a prized free agent signing out of Boston College have dropped several notches.
But the way O’Connor sees it, a fresh season, complete with new goaltending coach Pierre Groulx, brings a fresh attitude.
“It’s a bit of a head start,” said O’Connor, who finished the 201516 season with a 10-20-3 record, 3.31 goals against average and .895 save percentage in Binghamton. “Watching every other team in the post-season is motivating for next year. It’s a whole new page over here and very exciting.”
Always a deep thinker, O’Connor insists the technical parts of his game have improved and he claims there’s a “whole new comfort level” and “consistent performance mentality” as he approaches his second pro season.
Based on last season’s performances, O’Connor would be fourth on the depth chart — behind Craig Anderson, Andrew Hammond and Chris Driedger.
O’Connor’s goal right now is to simplify as much as possible.
“He’s a very smart goalie,” said Groulx. “A clean, simple game is going to help him.
“Last year, he was trying to find his game a bit and that’s normal (coming out college). I’m not worried. He’s a really good project for us. Seeing him on video, he’s got size, technical ability, he reads the game well ... all the right assets.”
Groulx is also steering clear of the goaltender’s head space. There’s enough mental pressure without the goalie coach adding to it.
“I thought I had a great start in Ottawa, but I had a slow start in Binghamton and made some adjustments in my game,” said O’Connor. “It was obviously a struggle down there. It definitely makes you a better goalie mentally, especially if you can grind your way through and persevere. That’s going to help me down the road.”
O’Connor says he learned an awful lot about himself, playing perhaps the toughest position in sports, in such a trying season.
“Self-esteem, confidence is important,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s even small stuff, like your equipment. I made an equipment change — I had one set of pads that I hadn’t got a win with. You don’t want to think that’s (the reason), but it is an interesting position. I learned certain things about my mental game that really helped me play well later in the season.”
O’Connor, heading into the second and final year of his contract, will need all of his mental and technical skills to stick around the organization long term.
Watching every other team in the post-season is motivating for next year. It’s a whole new page over here and very exciting.