Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.whl.ca
- Name: Nathan Lieuwen
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 191 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-08-08
- Eligible for Draft: 2011
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Abbotsford, British Columbia
- Acquired: 6th round (167th overall), 2011
- Playing In: CHL
Nathan Lieuwen
Prospect Grade: 0.0 (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2007-08: Spent most of the season with the Westside Warriors of the BCHL, but also appeared in three games for the WHL's Kootenay Ice. He registered a 3.27 goals-against average while posting a .910 save percentage.
2008-09: Lieuwen appeared in just 37 games for Kootenay (WHL) due to concussion issues which prevented him from finishing the season or playing in the playoffs. Lieuwen logged a 2.95 GAA and .885 save percentage and was 14-12 with two overtime losses. Lieuwen played in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game, but struggled in Team Cherry's 6-1 loss. He was ranked 11th amongst North American goaltenders in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2009 NHL Draft but was not selected.
2009-10: Lieuwen missed much of the season due to post-concussion issues before finally feeling symptom-free towards the end of the season. He appeared in 26 games for Kootenay with Todd Matthews handling the bulk of the goaltending. Lieuwen was 10-10 for the year with a 3.09 GAA and .896 save percentage. He appeared in three playoff games and was 0-1 with a 1.91 GAA while stopping 33 of 37 shots faced. Lieuwen was not among the 30 North American goalies in Central Scouting's final rankings and was not drafted in the 2010 NHL Draft.
2010-11: Lieuwen assumed the starting role for Kootenay in his third WHL season and after a solid regular season was even better in the playoffs during the Ice's run to the Memorial Cup. In 55 games during the season he was 33-16 with four overtime losses and three shutouts and had a 2.79 GAA and .903 save percentage. After losing two of the first three playoff games to Moose Jaw in the first round, Lieuwen and the Ice won 15 of the next 16 games. Lieuwen was named WHL Playoff MVP after finishing with a 2.24 GAA and .923 save percentage. In five Memorial Cup games he was 2-3 with a 3.18 GAA and .890 save percentage. In his third year of eligibility he was selected by Buffalo in the 6th round (167th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Talent Analysis
Perhaps the most valuable player during the Ice’ Memorial Cup run, Lieuwen spent one year with the BCHL’s Westside Warriors before moving on to Kootenay in the WHL. At 6’5, he’s huge, fitting the mold that many scouts seem to have focused on in recent years.
Future
Passed over in '09 and '10, Lieuwen finally had his name called by the Sabres in 2011. He will play one more season as an overage player in Kootenay and with improvement he may earn an entry level deal to play in Rochester after the season.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 11th 2011
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