Hrabal considered the best goalie in the draft with a great future

Czech trump cards in the upcoming draft? Eduard Šalé and Michael Hrabal. According to overseas experts, the latter is the best goalie available in the draft and could have a very promising future in the NHL.

If there’s one thing Czech hockey is great at, it’s developing goalies. Dominik Hašek, Tomáš Vokoun, Ondřej Pavelec and Roman Turek are all examples of the past, but even now we have a good representation in the best league in the world.

Vítek Vaněček (Devils), Pavel Francouz (Avalanche), Karel Vejmelka (Coyotes), Dan Vladař (Flames), Petr Mrázek (Blackhawks), David Rittich (Jets), Jakub Škarek (Islanders) and Lukáš Dostál (Ducks). Eight goalies in the NHL have the Czech flag.

And now it could shine on another hockey player. Michael Hrabal is going to the entry draft. According to The Athletic website, he’s the best goalie in this year’s draft.

“I can see a realistic path for him to become a legitimate number one goalie in the NHL. Hrabal’s combination of qualities plus performance sets him apart from the rest; he’s a 6-foot-2 goalie who moves very well. He has been an excellent goalie for the Czech U18 team this season. His performances in the USHL have been rather up and down, but when he’s had a day, they’ve been excellent,” writes Corey Pronman of The Athletic.

About 20 goalies are drafted into the NHL every year. According to the stats, one or two will become steady No. 1s, while a few more will get the tandem/dual role.

Almost all experts agree that Hrabal will go highest of this year’s experts. According to Bob McKenzie, who has been hitting the exact number one pick in the draft for several years now and compiles the rankings based on conversations with scouts, the ex-Spartan goalie will go 32nd.

He has played 31 games for Omaha in the USHL with a .908 save percentage and 2.86 goals received per game. The 18-year-old goaltender is expected to play next season at the University of Massachusetts in the NCAA.

Source: The Athletic