Unfazed by Lofty Competition, Americans Goaltender Matecha Looks Forward to Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
January 18, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
In a CHL player survey, Lukas Matecha was asked who the most difficult player he ever faced was.
The Tri-City Americans goaltender's answer was pretty simple.
"I don't look at who's playing," Matecha said. "I focus on the puck, that's my job."
For those who have gotten to know the Czech import over the course of the season, that answer tracks perfectly with the towering, serious goalie they've gotten to know.
"That probably sums him up in a couple sentences," Head Coach Stu Barnes grinned. "He's just a very simple guy that way, he just puts his gear on and stops pucks and that's what he's done all year for us."
Since coming to North America after being selected 99th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, the 18-year-old from Paradubice, Cze. leads all rookie WHL goalies in minutes played (1295), posting a 9-10-1-1 record.
His .914 save percentage ranks seventh among all WHL goaltenders, while his 2.87 goals-against average clocks in at 10th.
Matecha slammed the door on the Seattle Thunderbirds on November 21, turning aside 34 shots to earn his first WHL shutout.
"We saw early on how good he really is," Barnes added. "I think the measure of that success is getting back to that and being consistent and showing everybody what a really good goaltender he is. He's quiet in the net, so he's not going to be the guy with the big windmill gloves saves and all that kind of stuff. He's comfortable understanding where the puck is and reads the game very well. (He's) willing just to let pucks hit him rather than trying to go out and chase saves."
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound netminder is ranked ninth among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings, and those who've watched him closely know Matecha won't be fazed when he goes up against the best of his draft class in the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B. on January 24.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2024
- Unfazed by Lofty Competition, Americans Goaltender Matecha Looks Forward to Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Rockets Home And Home With Vancouver - Kelowna Rockets
- Danielson Nets First; Cagnoni, Stefan Shine as Hawks Hold off Rockets, 5-4 - Portland Winterhawks
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- Hawks Down Rockets 5-4 on Wednesday - Portland Winterhawks
- Blades Push Rebels to Limit, Can't Nab Win on the Road - Saskatoon Blades
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