WHEAT KINGS CAMP 2024: Goaltending duo provides some stability

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This article was published 28/08/2024 (640 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a year that will see a massive infusion of youth into the lineup, the Brandon Wheat Kings can count on some stability in net.

Returning veterans Carson Bjarnason and Ethan Eskit likely won’t be seriously challenged, although expectations will be high for both.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said there has to be a more equitable sharing of minutes between the 19-year-old Philadelphia Flyers prospect Bjarnason and the 18-year-old Eskit, who served as backup last season.

“Just spreading the workload with both of them this year is going to be important,” Murray said. “Bjarnason will probably start in Philly like he did last year and maybe be away early. That’s what we anticipate, so that will get Eskit some games and allow him an opportunity to continue to show he can get more games and more minutes.

“We were encouraged by what we saw towards the end of last year. He did a good job when he came in during the playoffs for us. It’s a good opportunity for him as an 18-year-old to make a case to earn more. In a perfect world, we would like to be able to split it.

“I’m not here to talk about a percentage but I think you want to stay away from where one guy is playing a ton and eventually having the risk of getting injured to fatigued, and the other guy not playing and getting frustrated on the bench. We feel good about having a good solid rotation where both guys can give us the opportunity to win.”

Bjarnason, who was the team’s most valuable player last season, posted a 3.01 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 46 appearances during his second season as the starter. The signed Flyers prospect is entering his fourth and almost certainly final season with the Wheat Kings.

Eskit, meanwhile, had a 4.06 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage in 25 appearances.

Murray said the entire team has to do a better job of cutting down on Grade A scoring chances, which will reduce what’s demanded of the goalies.

“When you do that, you’re not asking your goalies to make three or four ridiculous saves a night to keep you in the game,” Murray said. “That’s a responsibility for all five guys on the ice and all 20 guys who dress each night. Our goalies are in that group too. I think there’s another level we can get to and that’s going to be a big part of it.”

With the two returnees, there will certainly be a lot less drama between the pipes at camp this year.

Some of the most intriguing storylines at camp in recent years have come in net, with Bjarnason outduelling Nick Jones and Carter Capton for the backup role in 2021, and Eskit stealing the backup job from Jones in 2023.

Brandon has one other signed goaltender, 16-year-old Dylan McFadyen of Winnipeg, who had a 2.94 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage with the Interlake Lightning in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League last season.

He was also part of Team Manitoba when it won the WHL Cup for the first time last October.

“I understand he’s had a real good summer,” Murray said. “I understand he’s put on 20-plus pounds, which was an area we’ve addressed. He’s put on some weight, and whatever he is 6-3, 6-4, he’s going to be a big frame. It’s him getting stronger and I know he’s worked with Tyler Plante this summer and is a very committed kid.

“Our expectations are that when he comes in, he shows if Bjarnason is in Philly to start the year or gets an opportunity to play in the world juniors, here’s a guy who can come in and spend time with us and not only sit on the bench and back up, but he’s at that age you could potentially get him some starts.

“But that’s going to be up to him with how he does at camp. I think we have some other competitive goalies coming in too so it will be fun to see these guys a year older come in and look more mature, more junior ready.”

The Wheat Kings will also get their first up-close look at Brandonite Urijah Moosetail, who they picked in the fourth round of the most recent WHL draft back in May. He was part of the U15 Wheat Kings club that won the franchise’s third provincial title in a row.

He put up some strong numbers, with a 2.45 gaa and .911 save percentage during the regular season, and a 2.01 gaa and .934 save percentage in 11 appearances in the playoffs.

“We do have some goalies in the hopper for sure,” Murray said. “It’s such a tough position and a tough age with how they’re going to continue to develop. We felt Urijah was one of the top three goalies in the draft last year from all the reports. He was a guy we coveted at some point in the draft and we were happy to get him. There is a lot of time for him, he’s an ’09 birth year, but there is some depth that we have.

“It gives us an opportunity to evaluate all these guys and not rush anybody.”

Brandon also has two goalies they listed who will be attending camp, 16-year-old Greyson Moroz and 17-year-old Joshua Henry of Prince Albert.

They will be joined by a pair of 17-year-old free agents, Matthew Michta of Brandon and Southwest Cougars goalie Micky Gross of the RM of Cornwallis.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

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