One on One: Nathan Lieuwen

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He was one of WHL's best goaltenders last year and is picking up this season right where he left off in May. Nathan Lieuwen has stopped 95.3% of the shots he's faced and is sporting a miniscule 1.30 GAA after his first six appearances. Not bad for a guy who didn't get drafted until he was 19-years-old.

I had a chance to chat with the Buffalo Sabres 6th round pick about finally getting selected, what his impressions of the NHL organization were and where he fits into their big picture plus just what he thinks about returning to the WHL again.

The Great Gernat ices Kootenay for Oil Kings

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The defending WHL champions rolled into Rexall Place tonight to face the Oil Kings and a very small crowd watched one of the least exciting games of the year.

The OK kids had a ton of trouble getting in sync early on with passes off the mark and to many giveaways. The Ice could only take advantage once on the miscues when Max Reinhart lifted one over Laurent Brossoit's shoulder to open the scoring. It stayed that way until 6 minutes into the 3rd period. Not because of stellar goaltending from Nathan Lieuwen, although he did make one super stop in the second, but rather because neither team had much going.

On a 3rd period power play, Martin Gernat unloaded a blast from the point that went wide, but rebounded right on the stick of TJ Foster who put away his 3rd of the season, tying him with Gernat for the team lead. The Oiler draft pick wasn't only picking up assists, but he delivered a wicked hip check on Sam Reinhart during the second period, and then scored the game winning goal in the shoot out on a 'Peter Forsberg' type goal. Expect to see it on the WHL plays of the week.

Other then that, not very eventful, although all 3 Reinhart brothers had some sort of impact. Max scored, Griffin was kicked out for a kneeing major, and Sam went for a ride courtesy of Gernat.

Pickin' Brains: WHL Goalies for 2011

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Part one of this series came out a while back with an in-depth report of how the scouting community views Oil Kings forward Dylan Wruck. Since then, the previously unranked Wruck has seen his stock soar and is now slotted in at #99 by Central Scouting on their final rankings.

The second part of the "Pickin' Brains" series asked scouts to name the top WHL blueliner available in the Class of 2011. That certainly got a lot of people talking and drew more attention to how close it is between Duncan Siemens and Joe Morrow.

Today we're talking goaltenders in the WHL. For much of the season the Class of 2011 looked weak in terms of future NHL metminders. As the season went on, John Gibson and Christoher Gibson became recognized as the top two pipemen to watch. But what about the crop from the Western league?

Question #3: Is there a clear cut, top netminder out of the 'Dub for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft?

Top 5 Tuesdays: WHL Overage Goalies

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You might be wondering why I'm spotlighting goalies who have already gone undrafted at least once. With just 5 months left before the 2011 NHL Draft, scouts have had ample time to watch the notable players and most (if not all) NHL teams have had their mid-season meetings. I've spent a lot of time the last little while picking brains - talking to a lot of scouts in regards to this year's draft class. I've been asking about specific players or about a broader subject, like goaltenders. (You'll get the results of all those discussions soon by the way).

What I've come to understand is that the goalies in the Class of 2011, as a group, are not considered to be that strong. In fact, more that once I've been told to expect that an over-aged WHL goalie will get drafted before one who is eligible for the first time. With that in mind, here are the top 5 candidates to be that guy.

Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings (goalies-NA)

NHL Central Scouting has released their mid-term rankings today and as always, it's a ton o'fun to go over the list and take note of the glaring errors the pro scouts have made - yes, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Here's a look at the top 20 goalies from North America:

1 Edward PASQUALE - SAGINAW OHL
2 Scott STAJCER - OWEN SOUND OHL
3 Mike LEE - FARGO USHL
4 Olivier ROY - CAPE BRETON QMJHL
5 J.F. BERUBE - MONTREAL QMJHL
6 Darcy KUEMPER - RED DEER WHL
7 Cab MORRIS - HOTCHKISS SCHOOL HIGH-CT
8 Matt HACKETT - PLYMOUTH OHL
9 Alex VAZZANO - THE GUNNERY HIGH-CT
10 Michael ZADOR - OSHAWA OHL
11 Brandon MAXWELL - USA U-18 USDP
12 Nathan LIEUWEN - KOOTENAY WHL
13 Peter DI SALVO - BARRIE OHL
14 J.S. BOUCHER - VAL D'OR QMJHL
15 Jon GROENHEYDE - KAMLOOPS WHL
16 Chris PERUGINI - OTTAWA OHL
17 Michael CONDON - BELMONT HILL HIGH-MA
18 Jaroslav JANUS - ERIE OHL
19 Karel ST-LAURENT - SAINT JOHN QMJHL
20 Adam MURRAY - USA U-18

Notables WHLers outside the top 20 include #21 Steven Stanford of Prince Albert, #24 Regina's Damien Kelto (who would have been an Oil King this year if Robin Figren had approved the trade deadline deal last year with the Regina Pats) and #28 Jamie Tucker who is the heir apparent to Tyson Sexsmith in Vancouver.

The first thing I noticed when I looked at the new ranking was that Olivier Roy (left) was no longer the top rated goalie and in fact had dropped all the way to 4th. I'm not a scout and don't pretend to be one so I can't profess to say I know why he's fallen off but it is a bit of a surprise considering I hadn't heard anything to suggest that would happen.

Brandon Maxwell from the US Development Program has tumbled down the list as well falling all the way to 11th. His CHL rights were traded twice this season and he's now property of the Kitchener Rangers as Windsor included him in the deal last week to get Josh Unice and Ben Shutron.


I am a big fan of Mike Lee's after getting to watch him at the 2008 WJAC in Camrose last November. I Liked him on the ice and off of it as well when I had the chance to interview him. He's helped get expansion Fargo to 3rd place in their USHL conference and I'm hearing that they could be a real spoiler team for anyone who takes them on simply because of his stellar play between the pipes. I'm glad to see him ranked 3rd overall here.

Nathan Lieuwen in the #12th spot is a bit of a surprise. He gets a lot of hype out west and has a lot of potential despite a fairly average season so far. He's got great size though, I won't be surprised to see him higher than this at the end of the year.

The last one that jumps out at me is Jaroslav Janus all the way back at #18. By now everyone knows that he almost single handedly eliminated USA from the medal round at the 2009 WJC in Ottawa. I'll be stunned if Janus isn't one of the first ten goalies taken despite his age. He's now a proven performer in high pressure games and that will be something that sticks in the minds of the NHL teams on draft day. Clutch goaltending is worth its weight in gold and Janus checks in at just under 200 Lbs. (that's a lot of gold).

Back later to discuss the forwards and Euro goalies and skaters.

2009 Draft Performers of the Week - Nov. 16/08

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) / International Scouting Services (ISS) 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week presented by the Pipeline Show & Hockey Now ending Sunday, November 16, 2008.

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE – OHL

Ontario Hockey League – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion

Matt Duchene is this week’s OHL draft performer of the week after notching 2 goals and adding 5 assists in 3 games while also posting a plus-3 rating. Duchene, a 5’11” centre currently sits fifth in OHL scoring with 12 goals and 31 points in 22 games. The Haliburton, ON native is an offensively gifted player with good mobility.


WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE – WHL

Western Hockey League – Nathan Lieuwen, Kootenay Ice

Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen makes his debut as WHL draft performer of the week after two wins including a shutout versus Edmonton Saturday. The 6’ 4” Lieuwen is in his first full season with Kootenay and currently ranks amongst the top goaltenders in Shutouts (2) and Goals Against Average (2.62). The Abbotsford, BC native has a quick glove and has improved his positional play since last year’s World U-17 Challenge.

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE – QMJHL

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – Dmitry Kulikov, Drummondville Voltigeurs

For the second consecutive week Dmitry Kulikov has been named QMJHL draft performer of the week. Kulikov recorded a goal and 4 assists in three games to give himself 10 points in his last 6 games. The 6’ 1” 195 lb Russian defenseman has 4 goals and 22 points in 20 games this season, his first in the Canadian Junior system. Kulikov is known for his overall offensive prowess and big shot from the blueline.

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE – USHL

United States Hockey League – Josh Birkholz, Fargo Force

Josh Birkholz represents the USHL as the draft performer of the week after notching 2 goals and 2 assists in games versus Waterloo and Sioux City. Birkholz, a native of Maple Grove, MN has 4 goals and 4 assists in 11 games this season, placing him third in Fargo team scoring. The 6’ 1” forward is a good skater with a decent shot who plays with a physical edge.