Joel Hofer

Last updated

Joel Hofer
JoelHofer2022.jpg
Hofer with the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2022
Born (2000-06-30) June 30, 2000 (age 23)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team St. Louis Blues
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft 107th overall, 2018
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2019–present

Joel Hofer (born July 30, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Blues in the fourth round, 107th overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2021 with the Blues.

Contents

Playing career

Hofer first played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Swift Current Broncos. He initially served as backup goaltender to Stuart Skinner, and participated in the team's Ed Chynoweth Cup victory in the 2017–18 season. [1] [2] He subsequently emerged as a starting goaltender and was traded to the Portland Winterhawks, where he spent the remainder of his junior career. [3] In the 2019–20 season, his final one with the Winterhawks, Hofer was named to the Western Conference's Second All-Star Team. [4]

Following his selection by the St. Louis Blues in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Hofer was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on March 22, 2019. [5] During the 2021–22 season, Hofer was recalled from AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and made his NHL debut on November 5, 2021 against the San Jose Sharks, where he tallied an assist in the 5–3 win. Upon making his debut at the age of 21 years, 97 days, he became the youngest goaltender to win his NHL debut with the Blues. [6] While playing with the Thunderbirds during the Calder Cup playoffs, Hofer scored a goal against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on May 12. This was the first instance of an AHL goaltender physically scoring a goal. [7]

Entering his final year of his entry-level contract in 2022–23, Hofer was re-assigned to continue his development in the AHL. He enjoyed success with the Thunderbirds, and at the end of the season was named to the league's Second All-Star Team. [8] He played the third-most minutes of any AHL goaltender that season. [7]

On January 3, 2023, Hofer was signed by the Blues to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.55 million. [9]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Finland/Latvia
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2020 Czech Republic

Hofer was invited to make his international debut for Canada with the national junior team after attending the selection camp for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. [2] He was not initially Team Canada's starting goaltender, that position occupied by Nico Daws. After Daws allowed four goals on the first 17 shots of the team's second game of the tournament against Russia, Hofer relieved him midgame. He allowed two goals on 22 shots, and was thereafter given the net. [3] Team Canada went on a deep run to the championship final, a rematch with Russia, where Hofer made 35 saves on 38 shots in Canada's gold medal win. He was given the IIHF directorate award for Best Goaltender of the tournament, as well as named to the events Media All-Star Team. [10]

Following his successful 2022–23 AHL season, Hofer was invited to join the senior national team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. He made his first appearance on May 17 against Kazakhstan, where he allowed one goal on 17 shots in Team Canada's 5–1 win. [11] He ultimately appeared in two of ten tournament games, managing a .925 save percentage, while Team Canada won the gold medal. [12] The following year, he rejoined the team for the 2024 IIHF World Championship as one of its three goaltenders, alongside Blues teammate Jordan Binnington and former World Junior teammate Daws. [13]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLOTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2017–18 Swift Current Broncos WHL 198318973912.61.91420046202.60.875
2018–19 Swift Current BroncosWHL306211180612114.02.904————————
2018–19 Portland Winterhawks WHL1898010195423.18.9115143122104.03.871
2018–19 San Antonio Rampage AHL 101058404.11.886————————
2019–20 Portland WinterhawksWHL483485283911842.49.915————————
2020–21 Utica Comets AHL104605583123.33.898————————
2021–22 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL3918146225211112.96.90510646092612.56.934
2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 2110117603.07.880————————
2022–23 Springfield ThunderbirdsAHL4727155278011652.50.9212021141005.25.853
2022–23 St. Louis BluesNHL63113181703.22.905————————
2023–24 St. Louis BluesNHL301512116297112.62.914————————
NHL totals38191422,0639412.76.911————————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
2020 Canada WJC Gold medal icon.svg6500338911.60.939
2023 Canada WC Gold medal icon.svg2110124301.46.925
2024 CanadaWC4th110060202.00.867
Junior totals6500338911.60.939
Senior totals3210184501.63.909

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
WHL
Ed Chynoweth Cup champion 2018 [2]
Western Conference Second All-Star Team 2020 [4]
AHL
Second All-Star Team 2023 [8]
International
World Junior Championships Best Goaltender 2020 [10]
World Junior Championships Media All-Star Team2020 [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reto Berra</span> Swiss ice hockey player (born 1987)

Reto Berra is a Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the National League (NL). Berra played seven seasons in Switzerland's National League A, spending time with the GCK Lions, HC Davos and SCL Tigers before joining EHC Biel in 2009 where he was the team's starting goaltender for four years. He was an NHL draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and was traded to the Calgary Flames, with whom he made his NHL debut in 2013–14. Internationally, Berra has played with the Swiss National Team on several occasions; he has appeared in two World Championships. At the 2013 tournament, he shared goaltending duties with Martin Gerber and helped lead Switzerland to a silver medal, the nation's first medal in 60 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nino Niederreiter</span> Swiss ice hockey player (born 1992)

Nino Niederreiter is a Swiss professional ice hockey winger for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, making him the highest-drafted Swiss hockey player in NHL history at the time. Niederreiter made his NHL debut with the Islanders early in the 2010–11 season before being returned to his junior club, the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Prior to coming to North America, Niederreiter had played in the junior system of the Swiss team HC Davos and appeared in three playoff games for the senior club in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Pickard</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Calvin Pickard is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Reinhart</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Maxwell Reinhart is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Pouliot</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Derrick Pouliot is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Texas Stars in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Dallas Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken and the San Jose Sharks. Pouliot was selected eighth overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nic Petan</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Nicolas Petan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Petan was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, 43rd overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shea Theodore</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Shea Theodore is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Theodore was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Bjorkstrand</span> Danish ice hockey player (born 1995)

Oliver Bjorkstrand is a Danish professional ice hockey forward for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bjorkstrand was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round, 89th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Bjorkstrand is the son of American hockey coach Todd and the brother of Patrick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Wotherspoon</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Tyler Wotherspoon is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Calgary Flames in the second round, 57th overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Wotherspoon played four seasons of junior hockey for the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Portland Winterhawks and was a member of the team's Western Hockey League championship team before turning professional in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaapo Kähkönen</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1996)

Kaapo Kähkönen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Kähkönen was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klim Kostin</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Klim Sergeyevich Kostin is a Russian professional ice hockey winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Kostin was selected 31st overall by the St. Louis Blues, and made his NHL debut with them in 2019. Kostin previously played for Dynamo Moscow and Avangard Omsk of the KHL. Internationally Kostin has played for the Russian national junior team at several tournaments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Glass</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Cody Glass, is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Glass was the first-ever draft selection in Vegas Golden Knights franchise history, after he was drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander True</span> Danish ice hockey player (born 1997)

Alexander True is a Danish–Filipino professional ice hockey centre currently playing for MoDo Hockey in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridly Greig</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Ridly Greig is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Senators in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft with the 28th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Thompson</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1997)

Logan Thompson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). After playing junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Thompson went undrafted, and spent time in U Sports, the ECHL, and the American Hockey League (AHL) before signing his first NHL contract with the Golden Knights in 2020. After two years spent primarily with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights, Thompson received significant playing time in the 2021–22 season due to injuries to other Vegas goaltenders, becoming the first former U Sports goaltender to start an NHL game in over 30 years. After taking over as Vegas' starting goaltender for the 2022–23 season, Thompson was named an NHL All-Star in 2023 and won the Stanley Cup with Vegas the same year, despite suffering injuries late in the season. Internationally, Thompson has represented Canada on one occasion, winning a silver medal at the 2022 edition of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan Guenther</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2003)

Dylan Guenther is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Utah NHL team of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nico Daws</span> German-Canadian ice hockey player

Nicolas Daws is a German–Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 84th overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiří Patera (ice hockey)</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1999)

Jiří Patera is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played junior in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Stankoven</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2003)

Logan Stankoven is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL)). He was drafted in the second round, 47th overall, by the Stars in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Olen Zellweger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 34th overall, by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. ↑ Nugent-Bowman, Daniel (April 20, 2018). "WHL preview: Conference finals represent changing of the guard". Sportsnet . Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Hofer to Attend Hockey Canada's Selection Camp". Canadian Hockey League . December 2, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Billeck, Scott (January 7, 2020). "GOLDEN BOY: Spotlight settles on Winnipeg goalie with a world junior title". Winnipeg Sun . Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Mah, Steven (April 6, 2020). "Hofer named WHL All-Star". Southwest Booster. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Blues sign Hofer to entry-level deal". St. Louis Blues. March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  6. ↑ Pinkert, Chris (November 5, 2021). "Hofer gets win, assist in NHL debut". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Hofer named to AHL Second All-Star Team". Springfield Thunderbirds. April 13, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "2022-23 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled". American Hockey League. April 13, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Hofer agrees to two-year, contract extension". St. Louis Blues. January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Joel Hofer Captures Gold with Team Canada". Canadian Hockey League . January 5, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ Podnieks, Andrew (May 17, 2023). "Canada skates to confident win". IIHF.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  12. ↑ Mah, Steven (May 3, 2024). "Hofer headed to World Championship with Team Canada". Southwest Booster. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Bedard, Celebrini highlight Canada's roster at the World Championship". TSN . May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Media All Stars" (PDF). IIHF. January 5, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.