Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

Between 1998 and 2004, like clockwork, the Toronto Maple Leafs have used their third round pick in each Entry Draft to select a goaltender (the only exception being 1999, when instead of drafting a goalie, they signed Sebastien Centomo as an undrafted free agent). Not all have worked out very well, with Jamie Hodson and Sebastien Centomo among those not expected back with the organization next year. But one of those third round picks, Mikael Tellqvist, is poised to take the reigns when Ed Belfour retires.

Tellqvist was drafted in 2000 and has faced enormous pressure from the moment he was drafted, but seems to have weathered it fairly well. The third goalie on the 2002 Swedish Olympic team, Tellqvist has worked hard to adjust to the North American style game. His hard work seemed to finally pay off in 2003-04 as he was the first call up to the big club, often getting the start ahead of veteran backup Trevor Kidd. In fact, he played so well that GM John Ferguson Jr. has all but said that he will be getting the backup job behind Belfour this season. Though no longer classified as a prospect, Tellqvist is still learning and growing as a player. Most project him as an elite backup or average starter. Whether he has the skills to become a legitimate No. 1 goalie in the NHL remains to be seen, but regardless, he currently represents the best hope that Toronto has for the future.

Below is a review of the prospects that Toronto has between the pipes beyond Tellqvist, in order of potential.

·         Justin Pogge, age 18 – Drafted in the 3^rd Round by Toronto in 2004

The Leafs first pick in the 2004 entry draft, Justin Pogge looks very promising. He posted very good numbers for Prince George in 2003-04 and was named Rookie of the Year by the team. Initial struggles in the first half of the season had his rankings low, but a strong second half vaulted him to the No. 8 ranked North American goalie by Central Scouting. Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting Barry Trapp is very high on Pogge, but he is still an unknown quantity. Next season will really determine his true potential as he will have a starting job with Prince George, which is looking to rebound from another disappointing season.

·         Todd Ford, age 20 – Drafted in the 3^rd round by Toronto in 2002

Todd Ford was sent to the Vancouver Giants at the 2003-04 WHL trade deadline after future Leafs teammate Justin Pogge unseated him from the starting job in Prince George, and Ford subsequently failed to earn the starting job with the Gaints against fellow 20-year-old Aaron Sorochan, who played the majority of minutes in the play-offs.

Ford's underwhelming play in the 2003-04 campaign left some surprised that the Leafs signed the lanky goaltender in June, and he may have the lack of goaltending depth in the Leafs system to thank for his good fortune. Expect Ford to start in Memphis of the CHL or back up J-F Racine in St.John’s (AHL) this fall. Either way, Ford has a lot to prove as a prospect for Toronto.

·         Jean-Francois Racine, age 22 – Drafted in the 3^rd round by Toronto in 2000

Racine is a player that the organization still holds out hope for as he has shown steady improvement in his game for several seasons. At 22, he still has a chance of someday making it to the big club. His past few starts in St. John’s have certainly earned him a vote of confidence from Coach Doug Shedden. He will most likely graduate to St. John’s next season full time and may share the starting job with rookie goaltender Todd Ford.

Leaving the organization

Sebastien Centomo, 23, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1999 out of the Quebec league. For many years, some thought he would be the goalie of the future that Toronto had been waiting for. He seemed to be rocketing to a sure fire job with the parent club, when suddenly his play dropped off. Centomo’s contract is also up at the end of this season and it is not expected that he will be offered a contract.

Jamie Hodson, 24, was drafted in the third round by Toronto in 1998. He has not developed the way the Leafs had hoped, suffering numerous knee injuries early in his career, and watching fellow prospects Centomo and Tellqvist surpass him on the depth charts as he rehabbed his knees.   Hodson spent the last couple of years bouncing back and forth between the AHL and the ECHL, never being able to land a permanent job in St. John's, where the Leafs organization seemed committed to giving Tellqvist the majority of the AHL minutes. With his contract coming up for renewal this offseason, it is not expected that Hodson will receive an offer from Toronto.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without written permission of the editorial staff.