The Calgary Hitmen have had their fair share of pleasant surprises in the crease in the past two years, one of which is the recent surge in Brayden Peters’ play. Peters enjoyed an outstanding 2018/19 campaign with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the AMHL. At season’s end, he won the AMHL top goaltender and was named to the league’s first all-star team. Peters also posted both the best goals-against average and save percentage.
The rookie goaltender and product of Taber, Alberta, has not struggled to fit into the WHL scenery, starting 32 games this season with 16 victories. Peters has also posted a very respectable 2.57 goals-against average in his first year in the league. Although likely considered a dark horse for this coming NHL entry draft, Peters has started most of the games for the Hitmen in the latter half of this season. During this stint, he has displayed his strengths while allowing for a better understanding of his true ceiling.
Peters’ strongest abilities include his glove hand and excellent flexibility. The six-foot-one, 200-pound goalie also has a very active stick and loves to activate himself when it comes to puck movement. Peters is vocal with his defenders while having excellent poise and the ability to make significant saves after a goal against.
Peters has not been ranked for this year’s draft, but his goaltending counterpart was one of two Hitmen players listed. However, with the season he has put together to date, there is little to no reasoning the WHL rookie shouldn’t receive recognition. The upcoming stretch of games and his postseason performance will likely have a strong impact on how much interest from NHL scouts the 17-year-old will receive.
The Hitlist:
- Brayden Peters has managed a 3.26 goals-against average in losses while recording a 2.06 goals-against average in wins.
- Former Hitmen goaltender and Calgary Flames prospect Nick Schneider is currently in the midst of his second professional season with the Kansas City Mavericks. Through 37 games, Schneider has posted a 3.44 goals-against average and .883 save percentage.
