Robert Mayer
Image: Holly Gunning/HF

Robert Mayer

Hometown:

Zurich Switzerland

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday:

1989-10-09

Position:

G

Eligible for draft:

2008

Shoots:

Left

Drafted:

Height:

6-1

Acquired:

Free agent signing, 2008

Weight:

197 lbs.

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2006-07: He spent most of the season with Kloten U20 (Elite Jr. A), appearing in 30 games. He also suited up for five games with the Swiss National U18 squad, posting a 2.17 goals against average and a .924 save percentage (best of tournament).

2007-08: This was the goaltenders first season of North American hockey. He backstopped Saint John (QMJHL) with a 16-10-1 record, a 3.77 GAA and a .877 save percentage. He also appeared in five games for the Swiss U20 club at the WJC, but didn’t post good numbers.  He was also invited to the 2008 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game.

2008-09: The net-minder came back for another season with the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL), posting a 26-25-4 record with a 3.25 goals against average and a .900 save percentage. Despite playing in more games, his numbers improved over last season. Expect to see him make the jump to Hamilton (AHL) next season

2009-10: Assigned to the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones. Split time with fellow rookie Jeremy Smith (NAS).  Mayer spent the bulk of his season with Cincinnati of the ECHL, posting a .889 save percentage in 31 games. He was also given a game with Hamilton, only allowing 2 goals against with a .931 save percentage.

2010-11: Mayer struggled as a 21-year-old in his first full AHL season with Hamilton. Pushed into the starting role after an injury to Bulldogs' starter and one-time NHL goalie Curtis Sanford, Mayer struggled in the starter's role and then saw limited action after AHL veteran Drew MacIntyre was signed. For the season, Mayer finished with a 9-10-2 record with a 3.06 GAA and .890 save percentage for a Hamilton team that won the AHL's North Division and advanced to the playoff semifinals. Mayer did not make any playoff appearances with MacIntyre starting all 20 games.

2011-12: Mayer struggled at times in his second AHL season with Hamilton as the back-up to Nathan Lawson. He continues to allow in bad goals while losing his angles but can have flashes of excellence and still needs to show more consistency in his starts. The young Czech-born goalie has posted 14-18-1 with an improved 2.94 goals against average and a respectable .909 save percentage on the last place Bulldogs in 39 AHL games this year.

 

Talent Analysis

Troubled by inconsistency, Mayer shows flashes of greatness but has surrendered his fair share of soft goals. An aggressive netminder, Mayer comes out of his crease quickly to play the angle, but sometimes gets burned by his eagerness. With solid positioning and a great glove hand, Mayer has the potential to be much better than what he has shown so far.

 

Future

Mayer's AHL experience has not been pleasant thus far in his young career. He struggled with the job and time is running out on the young goalie prospect's chances within the Canadiens' organization.

 

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