TORONTO – The strength of almost any team usually comes down to goaltending and it is no different within the confines of the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
A look at the numbers across the CJHL show there are 10 netminders who currently sport a goals-against average under 2.00.
Among that group, the top three stoppers, in terms of average, are Marcus Vandenberg (Leamington Flyers/OJHL); Noah Tegelaar (Collingwood Blues/OJHL) and Christian Green (Steinbach Pistons/MJHL).
The 20-year-old Vandenberg, who hails from Dorchester, Ont., leads the entire CJHL with a GAA of 1.39, among those who have seen 500, or more, minutes of game action so far this season.
He also boasts and impressive .949 save percentage and four shutouts, along with a record of 14-2-1.
As for 2006-born Tegelaar, who has gone 11-2-1-2 overall, he too boasts a stingy average, which sits at 1.52.
Combined with a save mark of .945 and an Ontario Junior Hockey League-best five shutouts, it’s no surprise that the Georgetown, Ont., product is on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List.
Green meanwhile has stood tall between the pipes for the Pistons in Manitoba Junior Hockey League play.
In his final season of Jr. A hockey, the 20-year-old from Boothwyn, Penn., has a 1.53 GAA, along with a .944 SV% and a trio of shutouts as part of his 15-3-0-0 run in Steinbach to date.
The following link and PDF attachment shows the list of CJHL goals-against average leaders, entering play Tuesday.
CJHL GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE LEADERS
Photo credits
Vandenberg/Tegelaar: Jamie Green / OJHL Images
Green: Todd Pederson / Pederson Photographic