New Wave of Goalies Making Mark

An NHL goalie has always been one of those rare athletes--the older he is, the more he’s entrusted with his team’s championship hopes.

That philosophy could end soon.

Dominik Hasek and Ed Belfour, talented but aging superstars, might not be thinking of retirement just yet, but their gifted replacements are ready and itching to get more quality time.

Over the past few years, there’s been an influx of young goalies who are much better than your average backups. The days of second-stringers getting spot duty against weak teams are fading away.

Brash youngsters like Evgeni Nabokov, Martin Biron, Marty Turco and Brent Johnson have proved they can play in the NHL. And it’s just a matter of time before injuries, salary limitations or old age force the incumbents out in several cities.

Just ask San Jose’s Steve Shields, who guided the Sharks to a first-round upset of Presidents’ Trophy-winning St. Louis in last year’s playoffs. He spent the early part of this season sidelined by an ankle injury and has seen his backup shine.

Nabokov, who played in 11 games as a rookie last season, seized the opportunity, winning 25 games and posting a 2.08 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. Those statistics put Nabokov alongside Olaf Kolzig and Hasek on the World team at last Sunday’s All-Star game in Denver.

“I knew that when I had a chance to play, I had a chance to prove myself in this league,” the 25-year-old Nabokov said. “That’s all that I was thinking about. I tried to use the chance, that’s all.”

Biron, who’s made just 62 appearances over four pro seasons with Buffalo, is ready to assume Hasek’s place if the five-time Vezina Trophy winner retires soon or is dealt before the upcoming trade deadline.

With Hasek hampered by an injured groin last season, Biron was a mediocre 19-18. More impressive was his 2.42 GAA, .909 save percentage and five shutouts.

Hasek has stayed healthy this season, and coupled with Biron’s holdout to start the year, the backup has been limited to just 12 appearances. Still, the 23-year-old Biron has a 2.00 GAA and a .924 save percentage in those games.

“It doesn’t matter how many games you are thrown in,” Biron said. “When you have a good team like we have this year, I think it’s easier for me or for Dom or for anybody else to come in and play solid because you have a good team to rely on.”

Biron admits he’s had no better mentor than Hasek, working and talking with him each day about everything from puck-handling to cutting down angles.

“I try to work on my basics the same way he does,” Biron said. “It doesn’t matter how you stop the puck, but if you’re in a shooting lane when it comes in, you stop it.”

Dallas’ Turco entered the league with lofty credentials. With a 127-28 collegiate record, Turco, 25, is the winningest goalie in NCAA history. He led Michigan to two national titles and four Frozen Four appearances.

“Goalies are more athletic now and have better equipment, so therefore there are better goalies to choose from,” said Turco, who is 9-4 with a 2.11 GAA and a .916 save percentage.