Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Joseph Woll Has Starter Upside

By D.J. Llewellyn

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Boston College Eagles goaltender Joseph Woll (31) gets ready for a shot during a Hockey East semifinal between the Boston University Terriers and the Boston College Eagles on March 17, 2017 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Eagles defeated the Terriers 3-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 17: Boston College Eagles goaltender Joseph Woll (31) gets ready for a shot during a Hockey East semifinal between the Boston University Terriers and the Boston College Eagles on March 17, 2017 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Eagles defeated the Terriers 3-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are set in net for the next four years.

After his play last year, Frederik Andersen proved he is a capable of being a starting goaltender and has given the Toronto Maple Leafs one of the better goalies in the NHL.  Barring a catastrophe, it is reasonable to think he keeps up his solid play.  That doesn’t mean that we can’t look to the future and the best goalie prospect the Leafs have had in some time- Joseph Woll.

Meet “Brick”

Joseph Woll was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft, 62nd overall. During his draft year, Woll had a 2.14 GAA and 918 SV% with the US National U18 team.  Since the draft he has steadily climbed up the Leafs’ prospect ladder.

Woll spent this past season playing for Boston College, starting 34 games while putting up a .913 SV% and 2.64 GAA. Solid numbers and ice time to have for a freshman goalie.

For a comparison, highly touted Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko posted a .919SV% and 2.24 GAA  his freshman year, but only played 24 games. So far it looks like Woll is in good company.

This past year he also played for the U.S. at the World Juniors, backing up Tyler Parsons and playing two games. He left the tournament with a gold medal, a .935 SV% and a 1.50 GAA. Small sample yes, but excellent. Brick wall indeed.

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This year and beyond…

Woll is the starting goalie for Boston College for the next three years. The Leafs won’t need to rush him with Andersen on the Leafs. He’s also been invited back by the U.S. team for this year’s World Junior Championship and will compete for the starting role there too.

All that playing time is great for his development. Numbers can often fluctuate but young goalies need lots of ice time to get ready for the pro game and to work on their technique. Director of Goaltending Development for the Dallas Stars Mike Valley explains why in an article from NHL.com:

"“They have no idea about the game really. It takes you until you are 25 or 26 years old to figure it out. But we pull guys out early and then they have to play pro at 20 or 21 and they are not ready, and then they quickly get labeled. If you have a college kid, the biggest thing is you get to buy time and they get to mature physically and mentally.”"

Woll is in an excellent situation. There’s no rush and he can focus purely on development over the next few years playing as starters minutes. Both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Marlies are currently fine in net and Ian Scott is in the WHL.

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Expect Woll to put up better numbers and continue his rise as a goalie. Maybe one day we can look at him how Mike Babcock looks at a talented 6’3 net minder.

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