By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
The Boston Bruins have been a model of goaltending consistency and development for the better part of the last two decades. Not only can that be accredited to the superb coaching of “Goalie Bob” Essensa, but also their ability to scout and acquire goaltending talent and unlock their potential. Jeremy Swayman is the latest product of their development to bear fruit at the NHL level, but behind him, the organizational depth is in need of a refresh.
Michael DiPietro & Simon Zajicek are both sitting on short term deals in Providence, Brandon Bussi walked in the offseason, Luke Cavallin is unlikely to become an option beyond the AHL/ECHL level, and there is no guarantee that Philip Svedeback elects to sign with the organization at the conclusion of his senior year with the Providence Friars. Should the Bruins look to refill the cupboard ahead of the draft, there are several interesting options in the NCAA undrafted free agent market worth looking into:
Bruins Development Camp Attendees:
Albin Boija – Jr – Maine
- Height/Weight: 6’1”, 181lbs
- 33-14-7 in 55 Games
- .924 Sv%, 1.88 GAA, 6 Shutouts
Boija was one of the hottest names on the market last spring before he decided to return to Maine, and will undoubtedly be again next year. He was a Richter Award finalist for goaltender of the year last season alongside Jacob Fowler and Trey Augustine, but did so behind a much less heralded roster than the others. A 23-win, sub-2.00 GAA season is no easy feat at any level of goaltending, much less Hockey East, especially behind a defense without a single NHL Draft pick amongst their ranks.
Should Boija look to turn pro after his junior season, the Bruins may very well be at the front of the line for his signature. Boston has an established connection with the University of Maine, not only through geography and current starting goaltender Jeremy Swayman, but also through the coaching staff. Black n’ Gold colleague Mark Allred wrote in his piece earlier this summer that Mike Dunham, Boston’s goaltending development coach, is also a Maine alum and a close friend of the Black Bears’ goaltending coach Alfie Michaud.
All of those factors could give the Bruins an advantage in negotiations once the Black Bears season wraps up, but there will be plenty of suitors also seeking his signature. Rightfully, there will be a lot of eyes on Orono this year, both locally and nationally.
Cameron Korpi – Soph – Union (via Michigan)
- Height/Weight: 6’4”, 175lbs
- 7-6-1 in 18 Games
- .904 Sv%, 3.08 GAA, No Shutouts
Korpi hit the portal after splitting the net as a freshman at Michigan, where he lost the net down the stretch after being knocked out with an injury. His numbers don’t jump off the page right away, with just seven wins in 18 appearances, but Korpi proved he can rise to the occasion against tough competition. Five of those seven wins came against NCAA Tournament teams: Western Michigan, Boston University, Minnesota State, Penn State, and Michigan State.
Black n’ Gold colleague Tom Calautti noted that Korpi was one of the more consistent performers during the Bruins Development Camp in June, especially during scrimmages. He’s off to a solid start with Union, unbeaten in his first three outings and sporting a 1.95 GAA. Once the Dutchmen start facing other Bruins prospects within their league, he’ll be a name to watch during ECAC conference play.
Dylan Silverstein – Soph – Quinnipiac
- Height/Weight: 6’1”, 189lbs
- 12-9-2 in 24 Games
- .903 Sv%, 2.25 GAA, 1 Shutout
Initially a Boston College commit, Silverstein transferred to Quinnipiac and spent his freshman season in the Bobcats’ goaltending tandem with Matej Marinov, winning 12 of his 24 starts. The hallmark of Silverstein’s game is his aggression and willingness to meet shooters at the top of his crease, a trait that Calautti noted he exhibited more often than other goaltenders at Bruins Development Camp.
Both Quinnipiac goaltenders have returned for the 2025-26 season, so Silverstein will continue to split starts, barring an injury. Head Coach Rand Pecknold may have indicated which goaltender he favors when Silverstein got the net on the road against BC on opening night, a 4-3 win for the Bobcats.
National Names to Know:
Gibson Homer – Sr – North Dakota (via Arizona St)
- Height/Weight: 6’6”, 205lbs
- 16-8-4 in 30 Games (all w/ ASU)
- .924 Sv%, 2.32 GAA, 3 Shutouts
One of the tallest goaltenders in all of Division I, Homer is following a familiar path to Grand Forks after three seasons with Arizona State. He split starts as the Sun Devils 1B over the past two seasons, and won eight games each year with a career .924 Sv%. Neutral Zone scouting praised his athleticism and body control with his size, something taller hockey players often take longer to develop.
Homer’s arrival in NoDak makes him an undisputed starting goaltender for the first time in his career, and he’s off to a good start with a pair of wins against St. Thomas to open the season. Any Bruins fans who intend to keep a keen eye on Will Zellers may also want to pay attention to the man in the crease.
Connor Hasley – Sr – Arizona St (via Bentley)
- Height/Weight: 6’1”, 200lbs
- 37-32-5 in 77 Games
- .915 Sv%, 2.27 GAA, 14 Shutouts
Hasley will be a familiar name for those who followed the NCAA Tournament last spring. He backstopped Bentley into their first-ever appearance and gave Boston College, the top overall seed, absolute fits in the first round. Hasley turned aside 41 of 43 shots, including all four BC power plays, and gave the Falcons a fighting chance until James Hagens broke the 1-1 deadlock with just over a minute left in regulation.
Hasley parlayed that performance, off the back of a 21-win, 11-shutout, Atlantic Hockey Tournament championship season, into an invitation to the Detroit Red Wings Development Camp and a transfer to Arizona State, where he assumed Homer’s vacated crease. Sporting a .920 Sv% through his first four games with the Sun Devils, a strong season in the desert could entice the Bruins brass to bring him back east.
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