Raaymakers Ready For Prime Time
Joseph Raaymakers has had a solid rookie season with the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and sits poised for prime time action – Photo by Aaron Bell/ OHL Images
Fast forward, an injury to Halverson, and then Halverson representing the USA at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and Raaymakers has been the man, and become a wall himself, albeit to opponents, in the Greyhounds net for much of his rookie campaign.
“From a development standpoint, I believe that I’ve gotten better since the start of the season and definitely feel comfortable in this league,” says Raaymakers, who made a splash in his OHL debut recording his first win, first shutout, and being named first star against the London Knights.
“The team, coaching staff, and my goalie consultant Jon Elkin have really helped and pushed me to a new level, but I still have a lot to learn and a lot of things to get better at.”
According to Elkin himself, Raaymakers is improving each game.
“Joseph’s been doing great, he’s really progressed, I’m happy with the way he’s progressed,” says Elkin, who is the Greyhounds goaltending coach, and previously worked in the NHL. “His attitude is second to none. Joe is very receptive to coaching, and is enthusiastic about making sure he’s prepared. With that attitude, it’s hard not to get better and he’s steadily got better.”
Raaymakers has been considered one of the top netminding prospects in Canada in his age group since attending the All State All Canadian camp two summers ago. He lived up to that hype helping his Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team to the OHL Cup semi-final last year, and was rewarded by becoming a second round OHL draft pick, 37th overall of the Greyhounds.
Receiving ample playing time, and sitting among the OHL’s goaltending statistics leaders this year, Raaymakers is now solidifying himself as a top prospect for next years NHL draft.
According to Elkin, Raaymakers has come a long way since the early days of the season in his positioning, allowing him to find success and get noticed at the next level.
“Adjusting from midget to the OHL isn’t easy,” says Elkin, who has coached dozens of goaltenders to professional careers. “The big thing was making himself bigger in net in his stance and when he goes down so players can’t pick the corners. He’s come a long way.”
With those adjustments made, Raaymakers now knows it’s all about staying consistent.
“Probably my biggest challenge of the season is staying consistent,” says Raaymakers of continuing to improve. “Definitely something I need to work at and focus on. You want to give your team a chance every night, that’s your job.”
Through December, Raaymakers got a chance to give that chance on almost a nightly basis with Halverson’s absence at the World Juniors.
“It was a win-win situation for Halvy and I,” said Raaymakers of his goaltending counterpart. “I was happy that he was named to Team USA, because I know that he wanted to make it, worked for it, and deserved it. It gave me an opportunity to play my best, develop as a better goaltender, and learn from my mistakes.”
Climbing into the top 10 in OHL goaltending statistics, Raaymakers has seized those opportunities, and now, Elkin believes his play, and approach to the game, will set him up as an NHL prospect for next season’s draft.
“His whole approach and mental game is what sets Joe apart,” says Elkin of Raaymakers’ success. “He’s very disciplined, very hard working, and intelligent.”
“I have full confidence a year from now when it’s Draft time he’ll impress the NHL teams. A year from now, he’ll be in good shape, he’s athletic and quick, and I really think he’s in a good position to impress NHL teams and move to a higher level.”