With the 26th Pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft the Dallas Stars Have Selected Jake Oettinger From the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA.
About Jake Oettinger
The Dallas Stars really wanted Jake Oettinger. Sensing that the St. Louis Blues (who eventually traded out of the 27th overall pick following the selection of Oettinger at 26 overall) could be eyeing the Boston University goaltender, the Stars made their move and traded up to grab the 6-foot-4, 212- pound netminder. The first and only goaltender selected off the board in the first round, the Stars are getting a goalie who posted a stellar 2.11 goals against average and a .927 save percentage en route to a 21-11-3 record with the Terriers in 2016-17.
The @DallasStars trade up to make @jake_oettinger the first goaltender selected in the 2017 #NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/nFIs9BqQfA
— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2017
THW Prospect Profile Excerpt:
As the top goaltending prospect available in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, all Oettinger did during his true rookie season with the Boston University Terriers was lock down the starting job as a 17-year-old. Oettinger’s excellent statistical season with a loaded BU squad ended with a .927 save percentage and a 2.11 goals-against average. Solid work for a freshman who didn’t turn 18 until after he secured down the starting job.
Physically, Oettinger is an imposing netminder. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing over 200 pounds, Oettinger already has the size NHL general manager love to see in a goalie. That same large frame, coupled with a technically sound foundation, is an excellent base line to start with as teams look for a future starting netminder.
Oettinger is a proponent of eye training and already during the summer, he has worked in this emerging training opportunity. The Lakeville, Minaossota native moves efficiently around his crease and quickly gets his feet set and ready for the shot attempt. He is not overly acrobatic when making a save but that’s the idea: positional saves are far better than wild attempts to stop the puck.
Mentally, Oettinger is a very down-to-earth young man. He approaches the game with a very level head and maintains his composure, at least outwardly. Whereas some goalies have to make every save, Oettinger is just trying to make the next save. Oettinger will get plenty of practice time over the next few years at Boston University, but game time is key for the development of any goalie.
Another plus is the quality of play Oettinger has faced over the last few years. He spent two seasons with the NTDP playing with the best the United States has to offer every day in practice like Kieffer Bellows, Clayton Keller, and Adam Fox while playing against college players as a 17-year-old. Oettinger will get plenty of practice time over the next few years at Boston University, but game time is key for the development of any goalie.
Full player profile can be found here
How This Affects the Stars’ Plans
The Stars are in need of goaltending in their future. With the failed experiment of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi not paying dividends for the Stars last season, the team went out and acquired and extended goaltender Ben Bishop. Oettinger, as a result, can continue to develop at Boston University while the Stars move forward with Bishop as their starter for the foreseeable future. It’s a win-win situation for both sides as the Stars now have a clearer picture of their crease situation for the present and the future.