Thomas Heemskerk
| Birthday: 1990-04-11 | Position: G |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Catches: Right |
| Drafted: | Height: 6-0 |
| Acquired: Free agent signing, 2009 | Weight: 197 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2008-09: His goals against with Everett was 3.32 and his save percentage was .906 in just 27 games.
2009-10: On September 29th, 2009 the San Jose Sharks(NHL) announced the signing of goaltender Thomas Heemskerk. Heemskerk attended the Sharks rookie tournament, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.50 GAA to go along with .948 save percentage. After his strong camp Heemskerk reported to the Everett Silvertips(WHL). He finished with a record of 24-12-4. His GAA of 2.34 and save percentage of .927 were career bests.
2010-11: Heemskerk was acquired by Moose Jaw as a 20-year-old and skated in a career-high 65 games in his fourth WHL season. Heemskerk was 36-27, with seven losses in overtime, and had 2 shutouts with a 2.94 GAA and .908 save percentage. The Warriors reached the 40-win mark for the first time in five seasons and faced Memorial Cup-bound Kootenay in the first round (Moose Jaw was the only team to win two games in a playoff series against the Ice). In six playoff games, Heemskerk was 2-4 (both wins were shutouts) and had a 2.52 GAA and .930 save percentage.
2011-12: Heemskerk was sent to the ECHL for the start of his first professional season where the goaltender was the back-up to Olivier Roy (EDM). He had a record of 13-12-0 while sporting a poor 3.27 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in 25 starts. The big goalie was reassigned to Worcester late in the season where he played in relief on three occasions and received one start but had a good 2.13 and an excellent .921 save percentage in four AHL appearances.
Talent Analysis
Heemskerk has a solid work ethic, quiet confidence and doesn't lose his positioning when the speed of the game increases. The big goaltender has an ability to stay consistent with his efficient, narrowed stance and his hybrid butterfly style (the current mold of Sharks' goalies) is quite capable of being successful at the pro level. He has good hand placement, as they were both tight to his arms which eliminated holes and allowed him to cover the net more effectively. The second year pro needs to improve his lateral movement and reading the play a little faster.
Future
Heemskerk will be trying to stay in the AHL with Worcester but needs to have a good training camp and play well in order to secure a spot on the AHL Sharks roster. He could spend time in the ECHL with the San Francisco Bulls to work on his overall game.
