2009-2010 Position Preview: Goaltenders

One thing about the ECHL: you have to have good goaltending to succeed. And not just in the playoffs; night in, and night out during the regular season, somebody has to be ready to play. This makes having a formidable duo a la last year?s squad a very important ingredient. Conveniently, this season?s netminding tandem bears a number of similarities to last season?s. Rejean Beauchemin (pictured) is returning to the fold, and the 24-year-old who teamed with Matt Climie between the pipes a year ago is expected to provide a unique combination of youth and a veteran presence. ? has played in the AHL and ECHL, and he?s still playing for a call-up. He?s still young, he put up good numbers for us last year, and we?re very confident in him,? said Steelheads Coach Derek Laxdal. He ranked in the top-10 in virtually all major goaltending categories last season, and was the 2008-09 team?s opening night starter. Also, like last season, the 2003 Philadelphia Flyers draft choice will be splitting time with a goalie dubbed a hopeful to play in Dallas before too long: Richard Bachman. Bachman comes to Idaho after playing for two seasons at Colorado College (WCHA). ?He?s the future of the Dallas Stars, and he?s here to play games and get good minutes with us,? Laxdal said. As a freshman in 2007-08, Bachman turned in one of the best statistical seasons in the history of college hockey. His 25 wins, 1.85 GAA, and .931 save percentage were good enough for not only WCHA Freshman of the Year honors, but the WCHA Player of the Year Award as well. A goalie with his accolades should have the ability to step in and be a force immediately. Beginning his professional career at just 22 years of age, Bachman appears to be on the fast track. Also in camp for the Steelheads is Brandon Kohuch, a four-year starting goaltender out of Lake Forest College in Illinois. Kohuch?s win-loss record doesn?t catch many eyes, but his consistent save percentages and some dazzling single-game performances are certainly worthy of intrigue. Any time a goalie posts five games with 50-plus saves in a single college season, he?s going to earn some interest. Among his 50-save games in 2008-09 was a 59-save effort on the road against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. During his final season at Lake Forest, he averaged about 42 saves each night. (Doug note: We know each other from Lake Forest, where we high-fived outside of Young Hall many times) Kohuch comes to camp looking to build a reputation and increase his chances of landing a professional goaltending job.