There have been plenty of illustrious goaltenders to come out of New England over the years. In recent memory, Jonathan Quick (Hamden, Conn.) and Cory Schneider (Marblehead, Mass.) have both enjoyed college success before going on to long and distinguished pro careers.
Going further back, Tom Barrasso went straight from Acton-Boxboro (Mass.) High School to the NHL while Garth Snow (Wrentham, Mass.), Brian Boucher (Woonsocket, R.I.) and Jim Carey (Dorchester, Mass.) also had moments in the spotlight.
The last New England goaltender to make the NHL was Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.), an `01 who is destined for a great run in Florida.
While there is plenty to brag about, it could certainly be argued that New England could do a better job of producing goaltenders. Since the turn of the century, only four locals have won the Eberly Trophy, given annually to the goaltender with the best save percentage in the Beanpot.
Sure, that’s a small sample size, but it’s indicative of the lack of locals tending the crease for top college hockey programs in the region. In fairness, the last two winning goaltenders in the Beanpot, Northeastern’s Craig Pantano and Boston University’s Drew Commesso, both hail from Massachusetts.
With that said, there are several goaltenders in the pipeline who could restore credence to the position among national observers. Just this year, two `06s earned the chance to compete for a spot on USA Hockey’s NTDP at the organization’s evaluation camp. Further, there are a handful of well-respected goaltending gurus in the region who are trying their best to develop youngsters at the position.
As should be the case at all positions, all of us stakeholders in New England should strive to do even better in terms of producing young players who can go on to college and pro success.
Below is a look at the top New England goaltender by birth year. Goalies are listed with team, birthdate, catching hand and size.
2001 --Â Spencer Knight
Florida Panthers, 4/19/01, catches left, 6-3/192
When I first saw Knight a handful of years ago now, I was blown away. As a bantam, he looked to have the size, poise and fundamentals of a college goaltender. The Darien, Conn., native continued trending in the right direction with stops at Avon Old Farms, the NTDP and Boston College. A generational talent in the crease, he was selected 13th overall by the Florida Panthers. After two solid seasons at The Heights, he was off to the pros. While he took his lumps, including a stint in the AHL, he went 19-9-3 in 32 appearances for the parent club in 2021-22. Knight is the best chance for a current New England goaltender to make a long lasting name for himself.
2002 -- Drew Commesso
Boston University, 7/19/02, catches left, 6-2/181
NHL rights: Chicago Blackhawks (2020, round 2, 46th overall)
Commesso, from Norwell, Mass., has long been regarded as the top `02 goaltender in the country. He played well at St. Sebastian’s before earning an invite to the NTDP. Commesso has had two strong years with BU and had a pair of impressive starts at the Olympics. He has good size, reads plays, tracks pucks, and is quiet in the crease. After one more season on Commonwealth Ave., he should be ready for the jump to pro hockey.
2003 -- Conor Sullivan
Rivers/Little Bruins U18, 10/3/03, catches left, 6-3/190
The `03 birth year was a down one for goaltenders in New England. Sullivan, from Westboro, Mass., was a 40-man camp invite in 2019 before ultimately falling short of making the NTDP. He took his lumps as a prep school goaltender and expectations were always sky high, due to his status nationally and his size. Sullivan saved his best for last, putting up a .927 save percentage in 20 appearances for the Red Wings in 2022-23. He’ll be playing in the BCHL with the Merritt Centennials.
2004 --Â Colin Winn
Junior Bruins, 8/5/04, catches left, 6-1/170
Winn has taken a winding path to this point, having played outside of New England in 2020-21 and is on pace to play for a fifth different organization in as many years in 2022-23. The former Westford Academy backstop went on to have impressive years with Selects Academy, Bishop Kearney Selects and the Junior Bruins. He’ll likely be one of two goaltenders to start the season in Youngstown in the USHL. He has good size and most importantly, he’s stopped pucks and won games everywhere he’s been. From Westford, Mass., he even garnered a callup with USA Hockey’s NTDP in 2021-22 and caught the eye of several NHL scouts with his hot start in the NCDC.
2005 --Â Sam Scopa
Belmont Hill/Jr. Eagles U16, 1/10/05, catches left, 6-0/172
Scopa proved all he could at the youth and prep levels in New England. A longtime standout for the Junior Eagles, he backstopped his teams to deep runs at USA Hockey Nationals and won a few state championships along the way. This season, the Lexington, Mass., native was a huge reason Belmont Hill rebounded to elite status in the NEPSAC. Scopa and his Belmont Hill teammates advanced to the final of the Elite 8 Tournament before bowing out to heavyweight Salisbury. Scopa is strong technically, reads plays, and skates well. He’s not overly tall, but he’s hit the magic number of six feet tall. He’ll have a chance to take his game to the next level in 2022-23 as he’s made the initial protected list for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Scopa, a great student and even better character in the locker room, will have plenty of big time offers, including top Ivy League schools.
2006 -- Thatcher Bernstein
Nobles, 7/17/06, catches left, 6-3/201
Bernstein had an up and down freshman campaign at Nobles, but the highs were incredibly lofty. The Brookline, Mass., native was a big reason the Bulldogs won the Flood-Marr Tournament back in December. He had a .901 save percentage for the season, but that number was much loftier before he hit the rookie wall later in the season. The reasons he made the NTDP Evaluation Camp were plentiful. Primary among them are his size and athleticism. Rebound control is the biggest area in need of improvement, if he’s going to continue trending up towards elite status. Regardless, he’s one of the top goaltenders in the country at the `06 birth year and will be coveted among top local colleges if he remains on track.
