By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky

It’s well-known that the Boston Bruins once had a strong goaltending pipeline filled with promising young talent. However, that talent pool has diminished. Some goaltenders still need time to develop, while others are seeking opportunities elsewhere due to a lack of chances to play in Boston. The current reality is that the team needs more options in goal. With the abundance of up-and-coming talent available in this draft, I see General Manager Don Sweeney selecting one or two goaltenders to help replenish the pipeline. Here is a list of goalies the team should consider if they decide to go that route.

Brampton Steelheads – Jack Ivankovic

The first goalie on this list is Jack Ivankovic, a standout for Team Canada at the U18 World Junior Championship. Ivankovic played the last two seasons with the Brampton/Mississauga Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League. This season, the Mississauga native achieved a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 3.05 and a Save Percentage of .903, finishing with a record of 25-12-5, including two shutouts. However, Ivankovic faced challenges during the playoffs, where he posted a GAA of 4.87 and a Save Percentage of .877. Due to new NCAA regulations, Ivankovic has decided to commit to the University of Michigan for the upcoming season.

Jack Ivankovic was chosen for the U20 World Junior Championship squad, where he unfortunately served as the goaltender during the historic loss to Latvia. Although that game was not his fault, it was still a challenging experience for the young goalie and his country. A commit to the University of Michigan Wolverines, Ivankovic has an impressive ability to read the game and demonstrates a sense of calm even in high-pressure situations. He is athletic and consistently makes saves worthy of ESPN’s Top 10 Plays. This selection is a low-risk option that has the potential for significant rewards. Many teams will be interested in Ivankovic, making it difficult to predict where he will be drafted. However, he would be an excellent candidate to help the Bruins strengthen their goaltending pipeline.

Kiekko-Espoo – Petteri Rimpinen

The second goaltender on this list is Finnish standout Petteri Rimpinen. This past season marked a significant milestone for Rimpinen, as he played the entire year in Finland’s top league, where he was dominant. In 40 starts, the native of Kurkkonummi, Finland, achieved a 2.35 goals-against average (GAA) and a .912 save percentage, finishing the season with a record of 16-9-14, along with two shutouts. 

Petteri Rimpinen performed exceptionally well, earning a starting position on Team Finland for the U20 World Junior Championship. His impressive play helped lead the team to the Gold Medal game, where they pushed the USA to the brink of elimination. Despite losing in overtime, Finland secured the silver medal, demonstrating his ability to excel in high-pressure situations. Rimpinen is set to return to the Finnish Liiga for the next season. While the Liiga may not be the top league, Rimpinen has proven that he can compete with the world’s best players.

London Knights – Alexei Medvedev 

Lastly, I would like to touch on goaltender Alexei Medvedev, who is now a Memorial Cup Champion. This past season was Medvedev’s first in the OHL, where he was selected to the All-Rookie First Team. This season, the St. Petersburg native posted a 2.79 GAA and a .912 Save Percentage with a record of 22-8-2. Despite being a backup, Medvedev still had an incredible year. 

Alexei plays very big as a goaltender, effectively cutting down shooting angles and rarely being out of position. He is quick and handles the puck well. However, one area that requires improvement is the consistency of his performance. As a backup goaltender, it’s hard to assess whether he can maintain a high level of play on a nightly basis, but there is hope that he will secure a starting position next season. This selection carries slightly more risk, as Medvedev has not been the starting goaltender or had the opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup. Yet, he remains a promising prospect worth considering.

This draft will be significant for the team due to the critical issues it is facing regarding its future. Don Sweeney did an excellent job stockpiling draft picks, but now it’s time to make the right decisions. Nonetheless, it will be exciting to see who the front office deems ready to don the Spoked B in the near future.