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Player's Profile

Picture Courtesy of http://www.gophersports.com/

  • Name: Jeff Frazee
  • Position: G
  • Catches: Left
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 184 lbs
  • Birthdate: 1987-05-13
  • Eligible for Draft: 2005
  • Drafted:
  • Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota
  • Acquired: 2nd round (38th overall), 2005
  • Playing In: Pro

Jeff Frazee

Prospect Grade: 7.5 C  (About Prospect Grades)

Profile Contributed By: HF Staff

History

2004-05: The Burnsville, Minnesota native played the 2004-05 season with the development program’s U-18 squad. He played 32 games and posted a 22-7-0 record, with five of the wins being shutouts. His 2.29 goals-against average and .927 save percentage were both single season records. He also backstopped the U.S. National team at the Five Nations Tournament, the Four Nations Tournament, and the 2005 IIHF World U-18 Championship, all of whom were gold medal-winning squads. Frazee capped off his steallar season being selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 2005 NHL draft.

2005-06: As a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Frazee backed up starter Kellen Briggs and as a result saw limited action between the pipes for the Golden Gophers. In 12 games (6-3-2), Frazee finished with a respectable 2.36 goals against average, .910 save percentage and recorded a pair of shutouts. He also represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships in December as a backup, and recorded a victory in his only start of the tournament.

2006-07: Frazee really began to emerge as a force to be reckoned with on the Minnesota Golden Gophers roster, particularly away from Mariucci Arena this season. He continued to split time in goal with senior Kellen Briggs. Frazee posted a 14-3-1 record that included one shutout in 20 appearances this season. One of Frazee’s best outings came back on Jan. 13 when he posted a 30-save, 1-0 shutout win at Wisconsin. He also turned in a strong performance in Minnesota’s 3-2 overtime win against archrival North Dakota in the WCHA Broadmoor Cup Championship game back on Mar. 17.

2007-08: Hoping to build off a fantastic junior season, Frazee's season was plagued by inconsistent play and a lack of focus, and it ultimately cost him his job as the Golden Gophers starting goaltender to freshman Alex Kangas. The lowest point for him came back on Jan. 12 versus St. Cloud State. In that contest, Frazee let in a soft goal, but what eventually led to his demise in the game, was a shot taken  just as the period was about to end that Frazee made a lackadaisical effort to stop. It went through his legs and into the net. Had it not been for an off-sides call, the goal would've counted. As a result, Frazee did not see another minute of ice time the rest of the season.  

The Devils almost had no choice but sign Frazee over the summer because of how his season ended in Minnesota, and they hope the change of scenery, plus a fresh start will benefit him. He may back up Scott Clemmensen in the AHL this season.

Read Hockey's Future's November 2005 interview with Frazee here.

2008-09: After starting the season in the ECHL with Trenton, Frazee was summoned to Lowell to replace Scott Clemmensen, who was needed in New Jersey after Martin Brodeur's injury. Frazee started slow, but once he got going, he couldn't be stopped. He broke a handful of team records, including wins (28), shutouts (4), games played (58) and minutes played (3407). The Devils lone AHL All-Star representative posted a 2.62 goal against average and a sparkling .920 save percentage.

Talent Analysis

Frazee is a very athletic goaltender. He has good size and can cover a lot of ground, while using his flexibility to his advantage. He shows a lot of calm under fire, reads the attack well and does a good job of communicating with his teammates. He has shown a lot of consistency over the year and could become a very reliable netminder as he progresses in his career.

One of the biggest areas this past season where Frazee made significant strides in was in his overall maturity level and attitude towards his game. Despite failing to help get Minnesota back to the Frozen Four, Frazee played with a renewed sense of confidence, commitment and focus. His consistency also progressed nicely, but it will need to continue to do so. While his skills and athleticism have always been there, this past season, the finer details of those skills and athleticism began to show through. Frazee displayed better puck control and ability to steer pucks away from the net. He also showed marked improvement in his quickness and willingness to be more aggressive in challenging shooters.

Future

Frazee has always had the talent and athletic ability to succeed, it was just a matter of him putting things together mentally. The Devils do have an opening on the big club for a backup goaltender, and Frazee will battle with recently-signed Yann Danis for that spot, though it would be in the best interest for both Frazee and the Devils for him to get one more full season of pro hockey under his belt. However, with another year like he had last year, the Devils would likely not hesitate to promote Frazee to be Brodeur's full time backup in 2010-11.

Stats

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Profile Last Updated: October, 31st 2009

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