Greyhounds Sign Raaymakers, Expected To Play
Joseph Raaymakers with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones – Photo by Brian Watts/OHL Images
Raaymakers, who spent the weekend with the Soo Greyhounds at their annual development camp, is expected to start next season as the Greyhounds’ backup for Brandon Halverson, who had a spectacular rookie season, and is NHL Draft eligible this year.
“I am very happy and excited to sign with the Greyhounds,” says Raaymakers, who will be working with Athletes Fuel in Chatham, as well as Richard Rotenberg, his strength and conditioning coach in the Soo, and his goaltending coach’s Dave Belitski and John Elkin.
“I have to go into camp in great shape and battle,” continued Raaymakers.
Following the draft, the Greyhounds alluded to Raaymakers’ prospects for making the team in a news release.
“With Matthew Murray graduating we wanted to key in on getting 2 elite goaltenders to grow together and challenge Brandon Halverson and Adrian Clark, who we drafted last season,” the release said. “Joseph is a very quick, agile young goaltender with excellent athleticism. He excelled throughout the season but most notably in the Alliance playoffs, OHL Cup, and OHL Combine.”
Matt Murray, the Greyhounds’ starter last season, graduated this year as an overager, opening the door for Raaymakers to sign and compete for playing time.
The 37th overall pick was a standout last year for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget team, leading them through the Alliance Hockey playoffs and to the OHL Cup semi-finals.
Raaymakers will also represent the Alliance at the upcoming OHL Gold Cup in May.