'Tender Time

 

 

We’ve taken a look at the forwards and defense and this team is shaping up to be very deep.  Today we’re going to take a look at the only question mark on the team:  goaltending.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling the goaltending a weakness, just a question mark.  With Brad Eidsness graduating and Aaron Dell signing an ECHL contract, UND only has 3rd goalie Tate Maris as a returner (he’s played one period).  They will be relying on either freshman Zane Gothberg or junior transfer Clarke Saunders (See recruiting profiles here).  Both of these two are very capable goalies and have had success at previous levels.  The biggest question marks are going to be who the go-to guy is and how quickly he can adjust to the WCHA.    

  

 

      

     

Clarke Saunders has plenty of D1 playing time under his belt.  He has been the starter from day one at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.  While he hasn’t had much success (as far as team accomplishments go), he has demonstrated that he is a capable goalie.  He only recorded two wins last season and posted a 3.72 Goals Against Average.  He did, however, have a 90% save percentage and undoubtedly saw a ton of point-blank shots.  He’s a big goalie at 6’3”, 200 lbs. and uses his athleticism and size to take up lots of net.  Saunders doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as Gothberg, but he does give the University of North Dakota a safe goaltender for this season as he’s already been tested at the Division 1 level.

 

 

 

Zane Gothberg is coming off an extremely impressive USHL campaign last season.  He was named co-goaltender of the year and 1^st team All-USHL after posting 7 shut-outs and a 92% save percentage (highest in the league) and a 2.22 goals against average (second best in the league).  Gothberg has the potential to be one of the best UND goalies we’ve seen since Karl Goehring.  In fact, his Fargo Force coach John Marks even predicted he would have taken Aaron Dell’s position had Dell returned. (Read that here).    The Boston Bruins draft pick is another big goalie (6’2”) and he’s quick, skilled, and competitive.

 

My guess is that these two will be splitting time to start the season until one of them proves to be the go-to guy.  The coaching staff has a safe pick in Saunders and a blue-chip prospect in Gothberg which will make for great competition in practice and hopefully a great goaltender down the stretch.  Furthermore, whoever  the “go-to guy” is will benefit from a very deep d-corp to limit shots and a group of forwards who can put the puck in the net.  It should be a fun season!!!

 

*Other news:

UND announced the captains for the 2012-2013 season yesterday.  Andrew MacWilliam will wear the C while Kristo, Knight, and Rowney will wear the A’s.  I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Gleason get one either, but it just shows you how many leaders there are on this team.  It’s a great problem to have and there will definitely be leaders on the team this year without letters.