One of the more interesting storylines that has emerged in the first half of the 2024-2025 USHL season is the sheer volume of quality netminders who have stood out.

Whether it be new faces in new places or returners taking the next step in their development, the USHL could exceed the three goaltenders who heard their names called in last year’s NHL Draft.

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The 2025 NHL Draft shifts to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and these draft-eligible goaltenders have made their marks thus far.

Caleb Heil, Madison Capitols

Heil will be the first to say that last year, his first year of draft eligibility, did not go as planned.

The North Dakota commit primarily served in a secondary role with the Sioux Falls Stampede and also gained valuable experience on the international stage.

In the USHL, Heil posted a 4.32 goals-against average and a .850 save percentage in 19 games.

Seeking a fresh start, Heil was sent to the Madison Capitols as part of a pair of USHL Draft-day trades in an effort to bolster their goaltending room.

Upon arrival in Madison, the staff met with Heil to have an open-and-honest conversation about his direction.

“We talked about when he was younger and went into Sioux Falls, that things happened really, really fast for him,” Capitols head coach and general manager Andy Brandt said of Heil. “It was just one of those things of how a young player learns to handle success. 

"He openly said, ‘I didn't handle the success very well. I didn’t do certain things that maybe I should’ve done. Maybe I was a little lax in preparation at times,’ just those little things to self-evaluate.”

Heil certainly seemed motivated to prove himself this year. 

Through the first seven games, he owns a 2.12 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. Both are among the top six USHL goaltenders this season.

Yan Shostak, Lincoln Stars

Shostak emerged as the No. 1 goaltender last season in his first year of a two-year development timeline with the Lincoln Stars.

After recording a 3.05 goals-against average and .902 save percentage during the 2023-2024 season, the St. Cloud commit has elevated his game this season.

Shostak owns a 6-3-0-0 record with a league-best 1.62 goals-against average and .936 save percentage to go along with a pair of shutouts through his first 10 games.

Listed at 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, Shostak’s smaller stature could limit his interest from NHL clubs, despite the fact that he moves really well and gives up very few rebounds.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕙𝕠-𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕣#LNKHockey #StarsNation pic.twitter.com/dUt1XqdIgm

— Lincoln Stars (@LincolnStars) October 13, 2024

Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev, Muskegon Lumberjacks

Gadzhiev might be the most spirited goaltender I’ve ever seen during warmups. He is a ball of energy leading up to puck drop but one of the calmest during the game.

The Russian netminder has built off his impressive resume as a mid-season acquisition last year. 

Gadzhiev owns a 2.14 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage with two shutouts, all among the top four in the league.

Gavin Moffatt, Green Bay Gamblers

Moffatt really has blossomed this season after serving in a backup capacity to Adam Gajan (CHI) a season ago.

Like Shostak, he is on the smaller side for a goaltender, but he has the numbers to back it up.

Moffatt owns a 2.24 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage with a pair of shutouts through his first 10 games.

Perhaps most impressive, he has recorded those numbers, despite seeing the second-most shots (263) in the league.

Congratulations to Gavin Moffatt on being named the USHL goalie of the week. Moffatt recorded a 25 save shutout on Friday, and stopped 30 of 32 shots in Saturday's victory. #GoGamblers pic.twitter.com/qMS3EOCP6d

— Green Bay Gamblers (@GamblersHockey) October 7, 2024

Jan Spunar, Dubuque Fighting Saints

Dubuque has a strong track record of developing goaltenders, and Spunar appears to be next in line.

The Czech netminder was acquired in early October and has wins in six of his first seven starts. 

Added, Spunar, who is listed at 6-foot-3, has posted a 2.26 goals-against average, a .929 save percentage and two shutouts thus far.

Calvin Vachon, Waterloo Black Hawks

Vachon looked good in spurts last season, but he has taken his game to another level this year.

The Alaska Fairbanks commit owns a 2.40 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in eight games for Waterloo this season.

Added, he has allowed three or fewer goals in every start this season.

Kam Hendrickson, Omaha Lancers

Hendrickson impressed in a limited showing at the end of last season. Omaha made sure to hang onto him, selecting him in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft.

The UConn commit has picked up where he left off, posting a 2.50 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in seven games for the Lancers.

Hendrickson checked in as a projected sixth- or seventh-round pick in Central Scouting’s Preliminary List last month, a position that sure feels like a safe bet to increase as the season unfolds.

Robbery by Kam Hendrickson @OmahaLancers 👀#USHL | @UConnMHOC pic.twitter.com/g9pWlYoSz4

— USHL (@USHL) November 3, 2024

Samuel Urban, Sioux City Musketeers

Urban was good for Sioux City last year. He has been great so far this season.

The Arizona State commit is taking advantage of a third year of development in the USHL, skating as Sioux City’s No. 1 goaltender.

Urban has a 2.68 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage, with one shutout in 10 games this season.

Jack Parsons, Chicago Steel

Parsons is taking a third year of development after spending the last two seasons at the U.S. National Team Development Program.

The Providence commit has seen the most shots (300) in the USHL this season. However, Parsons impressively has a .910 save percentage to go along with a 3.50 goals-against average.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 183 pounds, Parsons has the size and the frame that NHL scouts look for in a future netminder.

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