Let’s be honest, we had almost forgotten about Emmett Croteau amid all the noise surrounding Jacob Dobes and Jacob Fowler.
The Dartmouth College netminder is unrecognizable this year and is dominating his opponents. No one saw such a progression coming after his health issues at Clarkson University.
The numbers speak for themselves for the first goaltender drafted by the Hughes–Gorton duo. Croteau sports a 10-3-1 record with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.
It’s fair to say that his transfer to Dartmouth saved his career. The towering goalie finally benefited from a full weekend of training to solidify his fundamentals and transform his body.
He is now a nominee for the Mike Richter Award. This trophy honors the best goaltender in all of U.S. college hockey this season.
His work with Jen Wheaton, the expert who helped Carey Price, appears to be paying off. Croteau manages his emotions much better and shows Olympic-level calm in his crease.
“He was the first goaltender drafted under the Gorton–Hughes and Lapointe–Bobrov era. Then he was forgotten.
Emmett Croteau is in the midst of a breakout season in goal for Dartmouth College.
Vincent Riendeau and Marco Marciano continue to monitor him closely.”
– Nicolas Cloutier
Another promising option for Montreal’s crease
Vincent Riendeau and Marco Marciano are keeping a very close eye on his steady development. The line of communication remains open between the goaltender and the Montreal Canadiens’ management group.
The Canadiens have until August 15, 2027, to offer him a professional contract. If he keeps stopping pucks like this, his spot in the American Hockey League already seems reserved.
Some scouts see him as a potential solid backup at the NHL level. For a sixth-round pick, 162nd overall, that would be a monumental steal for the Canadiens.
His technique has become more efficient and cleaner in lateral movements. He no longer makes unnecessary motions and controls his rebounds with surgical precision.
We’re eager to see if he can maintain this pace through the end of the season. The depth in the Canadiens’ crease is starting to look seriously impressive for the years to come.
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Canadiens goalie prospect Emmett Croteau is suddenly turning heads in breakout season
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