IceHogs 2021 Training Camp: Goaltenders
(Photo by Brad Repplinger via Flickr)
The Rockford IceHogs released their 2021 Training Camp Roster. Do you know what that means? We are one step closer to IceHogs Hockey! I can barely contain my excitement, so I’m putting it to good use and taking a look at the players we’ve got to watch. I started with the goaltenders. The defense and forward groups will follow in the next two days.
So, while we’re here, let’s take a look at the goaltenders attending IceHogs Training Camp. There are four guys - three of which were expected. One was a rather big surprise, but the fan reaction, so far, is very positive. The only returning goaltender from the 2019-20 season is Matt Tomkins. With Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen up with the Blackhawks, the IceHogs crease is up for grabs. Who will take it? Do we see another 3 goalie rotation? 4 goalie rotation? Talk about chaos. But, in this COVID world, who knows!
Here are your IceHogs goaltenders:
Tom Aubrun
Tom Aubrun (25) was a free agent signing out of college. He played for Norwich University (NCAA III) for 4 seasons before turning pro. In his last two seasons with Norwich, he carried the majority of the workload and put up impressive numbers. Not many players go from Div. III hockey to the NHL, but nonetheless:
2018-19: 28GP 20-4-3 1.70 GAA .929sv%
2019-20: 27 GP 23-2-2 0.77 GAA .967sv%
Before coming to camp with the IceHogs, Aubrun spent the season with the Indy Fuel (ECHL Affiliate). He posted a 2-1-0 record with a 3.92 GAA and .870sv%.
Here’s a video from his senior season. There are some saves and a nifty segment on him:
Scott Darling
In a surprising twist, Scott Darling has signed a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO) with the IceHogs heading into Training Camp. You could use many phrases to describe Darling - fan favorite, 2015 playoff hero, all around nice guy, an inspiration, a very large goaltender. One thing is for certain, he brings a veteran presence to a very young goaltending group. Whether he ends up signing a contract is left to be seen. It’ll be interesting to see what his role will be if he does - or if he decides to stay with the team in a different capacity.
When he left the Blackhawks after the 2016-17 season, he bounced around not really finding a place to play longterm. He had two seasons in Carolina, spent some time with the Charlotte Checkers, went to Austria, and has signed a few PTO’s with NHL clubs. Darling is a guy you can’t help but root for.
And, of course, the save he is known for:
Cale Morris
Cale Morris (24) was a free agent signing out of college. He spent 4 seasons playing for Notre Dame. He spent the last 3 seasons getting the majority of the workload. This is his first year pro, and there were a lot of rumblings about him being a good pick up before the IceHogs signed him. I’m very interested to see what this kid can do. Here are his college numbers from the past 3 seasons
2017-18: 37GP 27-8-1 1.94 GAA .944sv%
2018-19: 35 GP 19-13-3 2.19 GAA .930sv%
2019-20: 33GP 12-14-7 2.42 GAA .916sv%
Matt Tomkins
Matt Tomkins (26) was a Chicago Blackhawks 7th round draft pick in 2012. The 6’3” goaltender spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons going between the IceHogs and Indy Fuel before becoming a full-time IceHog in 2019-20. In 13 games, he had a record of 5-7-1 while putting up 3.12 GAA and .896sv%. While those numbers may not be the most flattering on paper, the 2019-20 season was an incredibly up and down season for the IceHogs. In the games he won, he looked great. He’s a big goaltender, he just has to use his size to his advantage. Due to the familiarity with the franchise, I would expect Tomkins to have the best shot at the starter job coming into camp. But it’s up for grabs.
Oh, and he’s got some bite to him.