Fucale's our top goalie going into the 2013 draft. Coincidentally, we just ran a piece on him a week or so ago:
Quote:
“Fucale was nothing short of outstanding in his first year with the Mooseheads,” Lafortune said. “He showed outstanding stamina all season, starting in 58 games in the regular season, an additional 17 in the playoffs and five games for Quebec in the U17s to top it off. He consistently comes up with big saves, and is great under pressure. He carried the Mooseheads the entire season and many thought he was their rookie of the year.”
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Prendergast raved about Fucale’s fundamentals, maturity and ability to handle pressure.
“Of all the kids I’ve met in hockey over the past 20 years, he’s one of the kids who stands out because he’s got a great personality for being a goaltender,” Prendergast said.
Still says that Fucale is probably a longshot to make the WJC team, which is hard to argue with. I imagine at this point Malcolm Subban will need to play his way off the team, and Canada has plenty of other, more experienced options as well.
Still says that Fucale is probably a longshot to make the WJC team, which is hard to argue with. I imagine at this point Malcolm Subban will need to play his way off the team, and Canada has plenty of other, more experienced options as well.
I wouldn't be shocked if Fucale still ended up being essentially a 3rd or 4th G for this team. That's pretty impressive for a 17 year old.
I wouldn't be shocked if Fucale still ended up being essentially a 3rd or 4th G for this team. That's pretty impressive for a 17 year old.
Nor would I. He's exactly the type that coaches/management would love to bring along as a 3rd goalie in that situation because they must know that he - in particular - would gain so much from it in terms of grooming for the future. Bringing your best possible 1-2 punch to shoulder the load plus a guy like Fucale as a 3rd makes a lot of sense.
Didn't make the TSN list - not surprising for a goalie.
I've read a lot about him and seen clips - only seen him very sporadically in games (b/c i'm in Ont.).
Anyone knowledgeable about the Mooseheads (or at least the Q) want to provide insight?
To get the discussion ball rolling - how would you contextualize him vs. 2012 first round goalies (Vasilevski...1/19 - tampa, Subban...1/24 - boston)?
Fucales strengths lie in his mental make up. Last season at 16, nothing shook him up to put it simply. He never rushed his movements or sacrificed positioning out of desparation. Makes big saves at big times.
He is also very physically talented. His ability to read the play is good and his movements are really quick.
Talked to a scout who said he has Brodeur potential, and I feel he's better than Vasilevski and Subban, and will go higher.
Tom Awad has estimated goaltending is worth about 5% of winning percentage, and has done several good columns on the goaltending market and talent distribution here and here to help illustrate the goaltending situation. Combine that with how long goalies take to develop and the development uncertainty and you can start to see why goalies are given very low value in my rankings.
That said, I think Fucale will of course end up as a top 20 pick. Not every scouting staff agrees with Corey Pronman.
Well he has had the success to compare to great goaltenders . He set the record for most wins as a 16 year old goaltender and was named as a co-MVP for the mooseheads along with Nathan MacKinnon. I have heard some Moosehead fans say he is better than Giguere was at that age. But only time will tell as anything can happen with goaltending prospects.
