The Boston Bruins search for a No. 1 goaltender continues with no answer in the immediate future. But on the horizon awaits some serious talent.

If the season began today, the Bruins would have Andrew Raycroft as the defacto starting goaltender. Raycroft is a very talented young goaltender, and has been groomed well over the course of his three professional seasons. But lack of experience isn’t something you want in net if you plan on being competitive. The Bruins would rather acquire an experienced goaltender in the form of a Sean Burke or Felix Potvin, someone who can be a mentor for Raycroft while at the same time giving the Bruins a solid night in and night out performance in net. But so far have been unsuccessful in getting that experienced goaltender.

The Bruins present isn’t too bright. The same cannot be said of the future in net as we take a look at the Bruins goaltending pipeline.

Andrew Raycroft

Raycroft has accomplished as much as possible in three professional seasons with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. In 2002-03 he won 23 games with only ten losses and three ties with a 2.50 goals against average and a save percentage of .917, helping Providence to the third best record in the AHL. He also appeared in five games with Boston winning two and losing three while posting a 2.40 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. Quick reflexes and the ability to quickly shake off letting in a goal, Raycroft exudes confidence in his ability. His teammates have confidence in him as well. He’s like the old west gunman who doesn’t blink an eye or show any emotion in a showdown. Raycroft deserves a shot at the No. 1 job in Boston, and whether or not he gets it won’t change the fact that down the line he’ll be some team’s No. 1 goaltender and do very well in the league.

2003-04 Projected Role: Boston Bruins No. 1 goaltender barring any trades.

Hannu Toivonen

Toivonen, the Bruins 2002 first round choice (29^th overall), enjoyed an outstanding campaign overseas posting 16 wins and only two losses to go along with four ties and a goals against average of 2.26 in the Finnish league. He was quickly signed by the Bruins and will most likely develop his game in Providence under the watchful eye of new Providence Bruins head coach Scott Gordon, replacing Raycroft who makes the full time jump to the NHL. Toivonen is the most talented of the Bruins stable of young goaltenders, and is a mature young man with a good head on his shoulders that will make it a lot easier for him to realize that potential.

2003-04 Projected Role: Will share duties in Providence with either a minor free agent signing or Peter Hamerlik as he adjusts to the North American environment.

Peter Hamerlik

Redrafted in 2002 after Pittsburgh could not come to terms with him, Hamerlik was a very good goaltender on a very bad Kingston (QMJHL) hockey team. Hamerlik is not as polished as Toivonen or Raycroft, or even Kaltiainen, but still could be a back up in the NHL someday if he works on his consistency. He’ll probably start next year in the ECHL mainly because the Bruins would prefer an experienced guy in Providence to back up and mentor Toivonen.

2003-04 Projected Role: Will likely start the year in the ECHL on loan to gain some experience.

Matti Kaltiainen

Kaltiainen, the starting goaltender for the Boston College Eagles (NCAA), made the jump from back up to starter last season replacing Tim Kelleher in net. Never mentioned in the same breath as Toivonen or Raycroft, Kaltiainen is a pretty good prospect and if anything underrated by most. He had his growing pains last year, but leading your team to a Frozen Four appearance is nothing to take lightly. BC came up short, but for a young goaltender like Kaltiainen it was a good experience. What Kaltiainen benefits from most is not only a great head coach and teacher in Jerry York, but also the fact that the Boston Bruins are just down the street. He’s in a great position to learn how to play the game the right way. Expect Kaltiainen to play one or two more years of college and to then sign with the Bruins and spend a few years honing his skills in Providence.

2003-04 Projected Role: Boston College Eagles No. 1 goaltender, could be the key to making a successful run in the Frozen Four.

Jordan Sigalet

Drafted 209^th overall in 2001 out of Bowling Green, Sigalet played on a poor NCAA team and his goals against average suffered. On the other hand, he saw plenty of puck, a league high 33.0 shots per game, and posted a save percentage of .910. His .909 career save percentage is tied for the school record. This year he will have his brother Jonathan Sigalet on the Bowling Green squad, which should help his comfort level on and off the ice. Sigalet still has a couple years left of college hockey before it’s time for the Bruins to decide whether or not to sign him. And right now it looks like he’s packed in a very deep goaltending stable. Don’t be surprised to see the Bruins trade his rights down the road if they feel they can get something for him.

2003-04 Projected Role: The Bowling Green starting goaltender, it will be another trying year for the Falcons.

Mike Brown

Drafted by the Bruins in the fifth round of this past years NHL Entry Draft, Brown plays on a weak team and he sees a lot of shots. His save percentage did not eclipse the .900 barrier that most teams use to gauge a goaltender, but don’t let that fool you. Brown was thought of highly enough to make the U.S. National Team for the Under-18 World Championships. He played in four games and posted a 2.27 goals against average and a save percentage of .922 along with one shutout. That play earned him an invite to the upcoming U.S. junior camp at Lake Placid in later this month. Brown probably won’t be seen wearing a professional uniform any time soon whether it be for the Bruins or the Baby Bruins, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t hit his stride all of a sudden and force the Bruins to take a serious look at signing him not unlike what happened with fellow OHL alumni and current Bruins goaltender Andrew Raycroft.

2003-04 Projected Role: Starting goaltender for the Saginaw Spirits of the OHL

Kevin Regan

Another goaltender drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in the ninth round, Regan is a local guy straight out of high school. He has already made the decision to play for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL before joining the University of New Hampshire next year. Regan is a hit or miss prospect. Like other recent Bruins draft picks, Regan saw a lot of puck this past year with St Sebastian’s. The Bruins thinking on this is that the more shots on net you face the faster you can develop and learn to read plays before they happen. Don’t expect to see Regan sign if at all until three or four years down the road.

2003-04 Projected Role: Starting goaltender for the Waterloo Black Hawks.

The Bruins organization appears to have a motto of going for pure quantity when it comes to the goaltending pipeline; acquire many goalies and hope one pans out.  All and all, the seven Bruins goaltending prospects all have one thing in common, potential. Not a one of them can you say for sure will never make it to the NHL, as they all have talent. Only two can you be certain of being NHL caliber though, and that is Toivonen and Raycroft.