Philipp Grubauer

History

2007-08: Philipp Grubauer appeared in five games for Rosenheim's senior team in the German third division and played 23 games for Rosenheim's U-18 team. He posted a 2.73 GAA with the senior club and a 3.12 GAA with the U-18 team. Grubauer started 4 of 6 games for fifth-place Germany at the WJC U-18 tournament and was 2-2 with a 17-save shutout over Denmark and a 4.16 GAA and .877 save percentage. Grubauer was selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2008 CHL Import Draft by the OHL's Belleville Bulls.

2008-09: Grubauer played his first season in North America with Belleville as a back-up to Mike Murphy (CAR). He played in 17 games for the Bulls and was 7-8 with a 3.93 GAA and .888 save percentage. Grubauer made his OHL debut and was named the game's first star after stopping 36 of 38 shots in a win over Peterborough on September 20. He had three straight wins in January, relieving Murphy and stopping 23 of 25 shots in a come-from-behind win over Kingston on January 16 and then defeating Sault Ste. Marie and Ottawa in his next two starts. Grubauer appeared in one playoff game for the Bulls and stopped 37 of 41 shots in relief of Murphy in a season-ending 7-2 loss to Brampton. Grubauer represented Germany as a backup to Timo Pielmeier (SJ) at the WJC U-20 tournament but neither goalie had much success for the over-matched German team that was relegated to Division 1 following the tournament. He finished with a 6.61 GAA and .838 save percentage in three games.

2009-10: Grubauer opened the season with Belleville before a mid-season trade to Memorial Cup-bound Windsor in January. He was 10-14 with 5 overtime losses and had a a 3.14 GAA and .913 save percentage in 31 games with Belleville. Grubauer played in 19 games during the regular season for Windsor following the trade and then saw the majority of action as the Spitfires captured the OHL and Memorial Cup championships in the post-season. Grubauer was named OHL Goaltender of the Month in January after going 6-0 with one shootout loss for the Spitfires. He finished the regular season 13-1 with 2 overtime losses and registered a 2.37 GAA and .906 save percentage. In the OHL playoffs, Grubauer was 18-2 with 2 shutouts and posted a 2.69 GAA and .909 save percentage. In four Memorial Cup games, he was 4-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .930 save percentage as Windsor captured its second straight title. Grubauer was 5-0 for Germany in the WJC U-20 Division 1B tournament as his team attained a promotion to the top pool for the 2011 championship. Central Scouting rated Grubauer ninth among North American goaltenders in the 2010 NHL Draft.

2010-11: Grubauer went from the defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires to middle-of-the-pack Kingston in a September OHL trade and split the goaltending duties with 17-year-old Frank Palazzesse. In 38 games with the Frontenacs he had a 22-13 record with 2 shutouts and a 3.62 GAA and .903 save percentage. Grubauer missed the playoffs for Kingston, returning to Germany due to a case of mononucleosis. Grubauer played in four games for Germany at the 2011 U20 Junior World Championship. He was 0-4 with a 4.44 GAA and .888 save percentage on a German team that finished last in the ten-team tournament.

2011-12: Grubauer was impressive in his first pro season; handling the bulk of the goaltending chores for Washington's ECHL affiliate South Carolina. He appeared in 43 games for the Stingrays and was 23-18 with five losses coming in overtime or shootouts. He had 1 shutout while posting a 2.22 goals against and .918 save percentage. South Carolina reached the second round in the playoffs after finishing fourth in the South Division. Grubauer missed the playoffs after suffering a late season hand injury.

 

Talent Analysis

Grubauer is a big, technically sound, calm goaltender. His strength is his ability to fill the net and utilize his quick legs to make seemingly impossible saves while deflecting pucks out of harm's way. Grubauer is also good at catching the puck with his glove. Having played at a lower level of competition in his native Germany, and seeing limited ice time in his first season with Belleville, he is still learning to deal with the more sophisticated scorers and higher quality shooters in North America. He can sometimes be deked out of position or beaten by accurate shots - particularly in the top of the net.

 

Future

Grubauer's full potential is a bit difficult to gauge at this point as he has been dominant on stronger teams but been less impressive playing on middle-of-the-pack or weaker ones. He had a less than stellar run as Kingston’s number one goaltender, and was sidelined in the playoffs due to mononucleosis. Long-term, Grubauer has the physical make up and natural ability to one day be a starter at the NHL level but his game is far from complete and he will have to work hard to reach that level. He may spend time with Hershey (AHL) or South Carolina (ECHL), where he’ll need plenty of time to develop. With the Capitals' organization seemingly filled with young goaltending talent, Grubauer's NHL opportunity might come with another club.