Evan Fitzpatrick is a number one goaltender. He’s got the build, the skills, the technique- he fits the mold. This is why he finished the season as the top-ranked goaltender in North America.
The fourth overall pick in the 2014 QMJHL draft, Fitzpatrick’s numbers haven’t been stellar over the past two seasons for the Sherbrooke Phoenix, but you have to apply the “Inflated Q Factor” when discussing goaltenders from this league.
Teams looking for a number one goaltender in the draft will take Fitzpatrick early, and his development will be slow and methodical with another year or two in junior, followed by a stint in the AHL before making the jump to the bigs.
He was a member of Team Canada at the recent World U-18 Championship, and is eligible to play for Canada at the World Juniors later this year.
Position: G
Current Team: Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL
Date of Birth: January 28, 1998
Place of Birth: St. John’s, Newfoundland
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 223 lbs
Catches: Left
Sherbrooke Phoenix goalkeeper Evan Fitzpatrick has tremendous upside,” says ISS Hockey Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis. “A butterfly goalie with good size and athleticism. He is calm, relaxed and controlled between the pipes, which has helped him gain the #1 rank of the top eligible goaltenders in the 2016 NHL Draft – Penalty Box Radio
A Good Fit in Columbus?
With the emergence of Joonas Korpisalo and the strong play of Elvis Merzlikins overseas, the Jackets’ goaltending future is bright. However, after a terrific AHL rookie season, Anton Forsberg has plateaued and the jury is still out on Oscar Dansk. Sergei Bobrovsky is the man now, but with the expansion draft coming there’s some uncertainty over who to protect.
It may be wise for the Jackets to add more skill and depth to the goaltending position to offset the potential losses in expansion and stalled development of existing prospects. I don’t think however that Fitzpatrick is a fit, as he’ll likely be taken early in the second round of the draft- too early for the Jackets to be bringing in a goalie.
Fitzpatrick in Action