Player's Profile
- Name: Matt Zaba
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Birthdate: 1983-07-14
- Eligible for Draft: 2001
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Yorkton, Saskatchewan
- Acquired: Free agent, 2007
- Playing In: Pro
Matt Zaba
Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
Drafted 8th Round, #231 overall, 2003 by Los Angeles.
2003-04: Joined Colorado College as an over-aged freshman and impressed coaches early in training camp. Started the season as the back-up before taking over starting duties due to an illness to Curtis McElhinney. Acknowledging his tremendous impact, Zaba was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in March.
2004-05: Zaba's stellar play forced a platoon goal despite the prescence of a three-year starting senior. Jumped out to a quick start while posting a stellar GAA and save percentage to begin the year. Cooled off slightly as the year went on but finished strong. Zaba will assume the fulltime starting duties in net next season.
2005-06: In his first role as the no. 1 goaltender, Zaba showed god poise but may have worn down under the added minutes. His goals against average and save percentage were college career worsts. Zaba jumped out to an 8-1-0 record before fading down the stretch with a 5-9-1 record to conclude the season and appearing in 36 of the team's 42 games.
2006-07: In his final year at Colorado College, Zaba put in another solid performance, and turned enough heads to have the Rangers sign him to a free agent contract on August 20, 2007.2007-08: The Rangers had five signed professional netminders besides Henrik Lundqvist going into the 2007-08 season. Zaba was sent to the ECHL Charlotte Checkers to begin the season behind former Rangers prospect Chris Holt. After appearing in only nine games in three months, he was loaned to the Idaho Steelheads to get regular playing time. Once he started to play every weekend, Zaba became one of the best goaltenders in the league, at one point enjoying a six-game win streak and being named the Goaltender of the Week in late Janaury 2008.
Talent Analysis
Good all around skills with a quick glove. Covers the bottom of the net well. Quietly does the job. Although he was inconsistent in college, Zaba has grown into a very solid, confident netminder.
Future
Zaba is expected to compete for the starting goaltender position in the AHL this season. Given his need last year to play regularly, if he does not win the No. 1 position there, he will be better suited to play consistently in Charlotte than to sit on the bench waiting for a turn in the ECHL. He is at least two years away from being NHL-ready.
Stats
Profile Last Updated: April, 19th 2009
HF Quick Navigation
