With the pro team looking set in net for the future with Ryan Miller as thenumber 1, and Chris Mason as a more than adequete backup, the Bruins have gathered a ton of prospects in net. Here's a look in no particular order at the prospects.



John Curry
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/john_curry
HF Grade - 6.5
Age - 24
NHL Rights - Pittsburgh

History

Curry was signed as a free agent to provide depth between the pipes for the Penguins after a stellar collegiate career at Boston University. Curry won 17 games in 2006-07, posted a .928 save percentage, a 2.01 goals against average, and led the nation with seven shutouts. He was a First Team All-American and was one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker award.

2007-08: With starting goaltender Ty Conklin being called up to the NHL to replace the injured Marc-Andre Fleury, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins turned to John Curry to fill the void. Curry won 24 games in 40 appearances last season leading all goaltenders on his team in both statistics. He also appeared in all but one of the WBS Penguins playoff games. The athletic goaltender also received personal accolades the past season: first being named as the AHL Rookie of the Month in December and later, the AHL All Rookie Team.

Talent Analysis

Curry is an athletic goaltender who was once considered one of the top collegiate hockey players in the country. The left-handed backstopper has good pipe-to-pipe movement and uses his 5-11 frame well to fill out the net and protect the five-hole. 

Bruins Analysis

Curry has currently play in 27 games in Wilkes Barre this season. He has 19 wins, a 2.4 GAA, and a .919 save percentage. He also has seen time in three NHL games and performed quite well, going 2-1 with a 2.4 GAA and a .913 save percentage. At this point with Garon being a UFA in Pittsburgh, Curry looks to be the future backup for Fleury, in the near future, and with Fleury's brittleness, may get a chance to show himself as a platoon guy next season. For the BRHL2 Bruins, he is primed to lead Providence next season in STHS, as they begin their quest for the AHL championship. Curry has progressed nicely since we drafted him, and is someone that we consider a longterm asset. We are not looking to deal him at the deadline. So sorry to all the loser Penguin fans.


Nick Eno
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/nick_eno
HF Grade - 6.5
Age - 20
NHL Rights - Buffalo

History

2006-07: Eno spent the season in the relatively obscure, northeastern US-based Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) on the advice of his high school coach. Playing for a weak Green Mountain (VT) Glades team, Eno finished in the top 10 in both GAA and save percentage and earned a trip to the EJHL All-Star game. Eno is the first player to be drafted to the NHL from the Green Mountain franchise.

2007-08: Eno was a CCHA All-Rookie Team selection after starting in 21 out of 23 games played that season for Bowling Green State University. He posted a 12-10-0 record and finished with a 2.79 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. He got his first collegiate start and victory in the Falcons win at RIT on Oct. 18, stopping 29-of-32 shots faced. His 2-0 start made him the first BG freshmen to start 2-0 in net since Bob Petrie did it during the 1993-94 season. He made 53 stops on 55 shots in a two-game home-and-home sweep of Western Michigan (Jan. 18-19). Eno won his first career playoff start with 20 saves in game one over Lake Superior State on Mar. 7 and was just the third Falcon goaltender to be named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team. His goals-against average ranked as the seventh-best single-season average in school history, while his save percentage ranked tied for seventh.

Talent Analysis

An athletic player who needs to refine his craft and mature as a competitor.  He needs to avoid getting too down on himself after giving up a goal, and to build overall confidence.  Technically, he needs to improve in a number of areas, particularly in challenging shooters and stickhandling. 

Bruin Analysis

Nick has had a tough year this season, getting hurt early in the college season, and then not being able to crack the nets again in Bowling Green. Despite this, the Sabres remain high on him, as do we. He's years away like most young goalies, but a good organizational depth guy, that may one day develop into more.



Jakub Kovar
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/jakub_kovar
HF Grade - 6
Age - 20
NHL Rights - Philadelphia

History

2005-06: Kovar appeared in only 19 games for Budejovices top junior team, but posted very solid numbers -- including a 2.23 GAA and .925 save percentage, to go along with two shutouts.

2006-07: Kovar established himself as one of the top amateur goaltenders in the Czech Republic over the past two seasons, while playing in the Ceské Budejovice system. He registered a 2.07 GAA and .929 save percentage in 38 games, improving on his impressive numbers from the previous campaign. His standing as a highly-regarded prospect in his homeland was confirmed when he was chosen to play for the national team at last year's WJCs. There, he appeared in two games while serving as the backup to Atlanta Thrashers draftee Ondrei Pavelec.

Kovar was selected by the Oshawa Generals of the OHL with the 29th overall selection of the 2007 CHL Import Draft.

Talent Analysis

Kovar has the ability to cover a lot of ground with his size and quickness, but has been guilty of playing too far back in his net. He possesses a decent physical makeup, quick reflexes and solid fundamental skills, but will need to learn to better challenge shooters.

Bruin Analysis

Jakub is a longshot goalie prospect that we picked up as a throw-in with a deal with St. Louis. He went from the CHL back overseason and is currently playing with Ceske Budejovice in the Czech League. He's a longshot prospect, but someone who adds to our depth at the position, and wil Euro tenders, who knows.


Miroslav Kopriva
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/miroslav_kopriva
HF Grade - 6
Age - 25
NHL Rights - None

History

Miroslav Kopriva spent his early minor pro days with Kladno of the Czech Elite League. With moderate success in Europe, Kopriva moved to North America in 2005-06 and split time between the CHL Austin Ice Bats and the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. Kopriva had a .890 save percentage in the AHL, and .938 in the CHL.

2006-07: Splitting time between the Aeros and the ECHL Texas Wildcatters.


Bruin Analysis

Miroslav has returned to the CZech Republic and is in his second year with Kladno. Last year he played very well in the 10 games he started with a record of 8-2. His value is on the upswing again as he was the starting goalie for the Czech Republic at the CHannel One Cup in Moscow, and in his first season as  thestarting netminder, Kopriva is raising eyebrows. The HC Kladno goaltender has been spectacular between the pipes, stopping nearly 95% of all shots faced. Kopriva, 24, has been in net for 12 of Kladnos 13 wins this season. Thanks to his heroics, Kladno is seven points clear of a relegation spot and in 11th place in the Extraliga. Kopriva is a guy we think can develop in Europe and potentially one day come over to North America again and be a Jonas Hiller type backup.


Linden Rowat
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/linden_rowat
HF Grade - 6
Age - 19
NHL Rights - LA

History

2006-07: Rowat assumed the starting role in Regina following an early-season trade that saw veteran goaltender David Reekie moved to the Everett Silvertips. In 52 regular season games, Rowat posted 25 wins and four shutouts. His 3.36 goals against average is more indicative of the club's play in front of him. The 6'2, 175-pound native of Cochrane, Alberta survived an early-season tweak to his MCL. He was able to spend a week with Hockey Canada goaltending consultant Corey Hirsch this past season through the relationship of Pat's head coach Curtis Hunt, an assistant coach with the national junior team. The focus in sessions with Hirsch was Rowat's mental preparation and puckhandling skills.

2007-08: Rowat quietly enjoyed an extraordinary season and earned runner-up to goaltender of the year honors for the WHL.  The Regina Pats second-place finish in the Eastern Conference is almost entirely the result of Rowat keeping the team in each and every game.  With an average defense in front of him, Rowat scratched and clawed to a 2.68 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

* Read this Hockey's Future article on Linden Rowat

Talent Analysis

Plays a butterfly style in net.  He also has excellent puck-handling skills and stays square to the shooter.

Bruins Analysis

Rowat has struggled a bit with the entire Pats team this season. He is currently 16-19-4 on the year with a GAA of 2.96 and a .902 save percentage. If that Pats can make the playoffs and put things together though, they could surprise a team or two in the playoffs. Rowat still grades out as an above average prospect, and we know he woudl have been drafted shortly after we took him. We look forward to him graduating the junior ranks and climning the minor pro ranks. We believe he could be an organization asset for awhile.


Stefan Ridderwall
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/stefan_ridderwall
HF Grade - B
Age - 20
NHL Rights - New York Islanders

2004-05: Played for the Djurgarden Jr. U-20 team in Sweden.

2005-06: Played for Djurgarden Jr. U-20 in Sweden, where he posted a 2.40 GAA in 18 games with a .910 save percentage. Ridderwall also earned a shutout at the elite level. 

2006-07:  Ridderwall was the third string goaltender for the Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Elitserien and was thus assigned the task of playing for the team's under-20 affiliate. Making the most of his playing time, this solid goaltending prospect played in 28 games for the Djurgarden IF J20 team. The numbers he posted were astounding -- a 1.78 GAA and four shutouts. And just when one thought he couldn't play any better, in the playoffs Ridderwall brought his game to a new level, playing in seven games and recording a playoff leading 1.44 GAA and .956 save percentage. His individual efforts, unfortunately, were not enough, as his team eventually fell to Frolunda in the championship series.

Talent Analysis

Plays with a great love for the game and is very passionate on the ice. Displays good technique and is a technically skilled goalie; plays a mix of stand-up and butterfly style. Makes up for 511 frame by playing angles effectively and is not afraid to challenge shooters. Has quick reflexes and is quite good at covering the bottom portion of the net. Ranked 12th among European-born goalies entering 2006 draft. Shows great deal of raw skill set and has loads of potential

Bruin Analysis
Ridderwall has split time as the starter for Djurgarden in the Swedish Elite League. He's played in 26 games thus far and has a 2.81 GAA and a .900 save percentage. He is establishing himself as a high upside goaltender within the European ranks, and with the Islanders seemless flux in net with every DiPietro injury, there are rumblings withis the Isles organization that Ridderwall may be offered a contract to come over to North America this season. We believe he has the potential to be another late round steal for the Bruins organization.


Daniel Larsson
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/daniel_larsson
HF Grade - 7
Age - 23
NHL Rights - Detroit

History

2005-06: He was among the best goalies in  Allsvenskan  and had a very good WJC for Team Sweden.

2006-07: He entered this season as a clear-cut backup, but did manage to steal a few games during a few hot streaks. He played in 24 games and set respectable numbers with 2.53 in goals against, .911 in save percentage as well as three shutouts. He was also mentioned in talks for a tryout on the national team, but he didnt get a chance this season.

2007-08:  Rookie of the year in the SEL. 

Talent Analysis

Expect Larsson to continue his excellent development curve for the next season as he fights his way up the ranks in Sweden. He will most certainly make a few appearances with the national team as well which will help his development. Hes not very big, but he uses his excellent positioning and reflexes to stop most shots. He also has a very quick glove hand, but he needs to work on his rebound control as well as shot recovery.

Bruin Analysis

Well in his first year in North America, Larsson has been tremendous for the Wings farm team in Grand Rapids, he has gone 17-5-1, with a 2.64 GAA and a .915 save percentage. Larsson has supplanted Jimmy Howard as the Griffins starter, and the Wings are looking at him as the possible longterm solution in net. Larsson's star has risen hugely, and is currently the crown jewel of the Bruins system and will likely not be dealt in most any circumstances.


Niko Hovinen
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/niko_hovinen
HF Grade - 6.5
Age - 20
NHL Rights - Minnesota

History

Hovinen has developed in the Jokerit system in Helsinki. He established himself as an important junior national team player in 2004 and split international starter duties for two years, until ailments and fatigue led to a disappointing spring season, which caused him to be left out of the U18 World Championships in 2006. At draft time he was the starter of the Jokerit Jr A squad.

2007-08: The year was especially tough. Although his numbers at the A junior level were somewhat respectable, his SM-Liiga debut did not go well.  If he is to get his career back on track, he will have to do that with the Pelicans where he will play in 2008-2009.

Talent Analysis

Standing at over 6'7, Hovinen is a towering presence even in butterfly stance. He is the biggest Finnish goalie of his generation but still its typical member as far as movement goes. Despite his immature but big body he has what it takes to dominate shooters with a butterfly style. He is calm but timid in his style of play: He doesn't lunge toward the puck forcefully enough and surprisingly gets pushed around. His ability to read the game is still undeveloped, which also hinders his puckhandling. Hovinen has fantastic game-breaking ability and possesses tools for development with few boundaries for his potential.

Bruin Analysis
With Only Anton Khubodin and him in the system, Hovinen is really starting to look like a good prospect. This year in Finland he has played for the Pelicans junior team (8 games 1.99gaa, .936 sp%), but has spent most the time in the elite league playing in 20 games with a 2.85gaa and .898 save percentage. For a 20 yer old goaltender, he has played very well, and since his recall from juniors has been starting most of the games. It would not surprise many to see him come over the North America and start in Houston next season. With doubts about Josh Hardings ability to be a NHL #1, it is possible that Hovinen is the goalie of the future in Minnesota.



Next Week, a look at the defensemen.

All comments welcome