The 2023-24 season hasn’t begun, and the Regina Pats are already looking to fill a big gap.
2003-Born Goalie Drew Sim will be on the sidelines to begin the year as he continues to recover from a lower body injury.
Last year, Sim carried the load for Regina between the pipes, compiling a record of 27-17-2 with a 3.56 G.A.A. (Goals Against Average) and a .893 Save % (Save Percentage).
Two of the goalies that are jockeying for playing time in the Pats crease are Kelton Pyne and Ewan Huet.
Pyne was Sim’s backup last season after he started the campaign with SJHL’s Melville Millionaires. He ended his season 3-6-1 in 11 games, with a 4.84 G.A.A. and a .867 Save%.
Huet was selected by Regina in the CHL’s Import Draft in July. He played for Lausanne in Switzerland’s U20 league in 2022-23, going 14-12-2 with a 2.73 goals-against average and two shutouts.
With a well-travelled background, Huet holds a citizenship in both France and Switzerland, and has spent time living in Germany and Canada. The goaltender said his experience helped him as a hockey player.
“I could learn English, French, German, for my culture and my education, I’m forever grateful, to my parents and to everybody.”
The 2005-born netminder is the son of former National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender Cristobal Huet. At a young age, the Regina Pats goalie lived in Montreal, Chicago and Los Angeles while his father spent time in the NHL.
Despite having a professional goaltender as his father, Ewan said he initially tried playing outside of the net when he began chasing his hockey dreams.
The pressure that comes as a netminder was something that appealed to Huet when he decided to become a full-time goalie.
“As a goalie, you have to be a 100% all of the time, concentrating 60 minutes at a time.”
He also likes the amount of control a goaltender has on the outcome of a game.
“Helping a team, shifting momentum, I think that’s pretty important for a goalie.”
Pyne said he spent some time getting to know Huet before camp and was impressed with his teammate.
“I think he’s great, I think he’s a good guy, and I’m excited to be partnered up with him this year.”
The White City product noted it’s vital to provide a friendly but competitive nature between the two goalies.
“Obviously you want to be a good teammate on the ice or on the bench with the guy, it’s always great to have some competitiveness too.”
The other goalies on the Pats roster right now are 2007-born Cruz Chase. He was drafted by Regina in the 7th round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft and spent last season with Airdrie CFR Bisons U18. They also have Nicolas Rempel, 2006-born goaltender that was selected by Regina in the 8th round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. He spent last season with the Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA team.
On Friday, the Pats will begin their preseason schedule at the Brandt Centre against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The following night the two teams will meet in Brandon.
