It’s hard to believe that Sebastian Cossa is only 17-years-old.
Not only because he towers over everyone with his 6-foot-4 stature but also by his dominance between the pipes for the Edmonton Oil Kings.
As we head into the Christmas break, it’s beginning to look like Cossa has taken over the number one job in Edmonton. Over the team’s last 10 contests, Cossa has started between the pipes in seven games and held a 1.57 GAA along with a 0.934 SV% with a single shutout.
The Oil Kings’ ranks have a potential star in Cossa, but rather shockingly, he wasn’t the first goaltender selected in his class.
Back at the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft in Red Deer, Randy Hansch – former Oil Kings general manager – selected Cossa with his 36th overall pick making him the fourth netminder taken off the board. Cossa was coming off a phenomenal season with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers (AMBHL) where he finished the season with a 1.80 GAA along with a 0.934 SV% in 19 games.
He continued to dominate in the Rangers program for a couple more seasons. Oil Kings head coach, Brad Lauer admittedly spoke about how he wanted Cossa to join the team sooner than he did.
“We had plans for him to be with us last year (2019 season),” stated Head Coach Brad Lauer. “He ended up getting hurt but, honestly, I think him (Cossa) going back and playing another year and playing more minutes and playing in different situations benefited him.”
Taken ahead of Cossa at 36th was Garin Bjorklund 21st to Medicine Hat, Campbell Arnold 28th to Spokane, and Koen MacInnes 35th to Saskatoon. When you compare the four young netminders, it’s Cossa’s stats that stand out as he currently sits close to the top in the majority of goaltending stats in the WHL.
Sebastian Cossa – 19 Games Played – 2.09 GAA – 0.925 SV%
Garin Bjorklund – 15 Games Played – 3.12 GAA – 0.895 SV%
Campbell Arnold – 21 Games Played – 2.49 GAA – 0.905 SV%
Koen MacInnes – 10 Games Played – 3.52 GAA – 0.900 SV%
“He’s a big kid and very athletic,” said head coach Brad Lauer. “He’s been playing great for us, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him”.
Cossa’s resurgence has scouts talking around the hockey world. It’s believed that Cossa could be one of the first goaltenders selected at the 2021 NHL draft. The last Oil Kings netminder to hear his name called was Tristan Jarry with the 44th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015.
Finally, one last fact about the Edmonton shot-stopper. Amongst CHL players listed in NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch, only two goaltenders on that list have better or equal numbers to Cossa: Nicolas Daws in Guelph (20 GP – 2.06 GAA, 0.939 SV%) and Samuel Hlavaj in Sherbrooke (22 GP – 2.14 GAA, 0.925 SV%).
Cossa is quickly, if not already, becoming the Oil Kings number one. His performances throughout the season have beaten out two veteran goaltenders in Dylan Myskiw and Todd Scott. With that being said, Cossa needs to be regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects. When he plays, he makes the Oil Kings look like a legitimate WHL contender and possibly even a Memorial Cup challenger.
As a late birthday (11/21) unlike those other goalies listed in the Players to Watch, Cossa has another season after this one to prove his mettle. The big goalie is a big reason why the Oil Kings should be considered contenders for the long term.
When he is eligible to be included on the 2021 version of that list, you better believe his name will be there.
