Oettinger embracing ‘wholesome’ competitors with Stars

The lengthy historical past of the Dallas Stars has revealed that having a pleasant minor-league goalie battle can really be a very good factor.Marty Turco and Manny Fernandez butted heads again in 1999, and each went on to profitable NHL careers. Similar goes for Mike Smith and Dan Ellis circa 2005. It is a patented plan that always brings out one of the best in each goalies.That appears to be the blueprint for the 2019-20 season, as nicely, as Jake Oettinger will be a part of Colton Level and Landon Bow in a trio that may seemingly play in each the AHL and ECHL. Oettinger stated he is excited in regards to the competitors.”You are an expert hockey participant and you are going to should beat out actually good goalies regardless of the place you might be,” stated Oettinger, who’s at Comerica Middle in Frisco this week for Stars Growth Camp. “I feel the competitors is wholesome.”Video: Stars draft G Jake Oettinger No. 26Oettinger, 20, was a first-round draft choose (26th total) in 2017 and signed his three-year, entry degree contract this season after three years at Boston College.”It is a dream come true,” he stated. “It is one thing I have been trying ahead to ever since I used to be drafted. To lastly flip professional is thrilling, and I am trying ahead to the yr forward of me.” [RELATED: Johns’ progress could be a great sign for Stars’ defense] After going 16-16-Four in his junior yr at BU with a 2.45 targets in opposition to common and .926 save share, Oettinger was known as as much as the Texas Stars and performed six video games within the AHL, going Three-2-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .895 save share.”It was nice,” Oettinger stated. “There have been plenty of issues that have been completely different than enjoying faculty, and to get these three weeks beneath my belt was enormous. To get to know the fellows and the trainers, simply makes my adjustment to professional hockey that a lot simpler.”Video: Jake Oettinger makes an unbelievable paddle saveDevelopment Camp can also be a great software to make use of. The massive goalie (6-foot-5, 220 kilos) stated earlier camps have helped his athleticism and given him drills to make use of when he was away from the Stars. He stated feels he is a significantly better goalie now than when he was drafted.Oettinger stated he’s hoping that may assist him in his competitors with Level and Bow.Level, 21, was a fifth spherical choose of the Stars in 2016. He break up his time between the AHL and ECHL final season. Bow, 23, was signed by the Stars as a free agent in 2016. He was the No. 1 goalie with the Texas Stars final season, going 24-15-5 with a 2.89 GAA and .893 save share. He additionally made his NHL debut, permitting one objective in 59 minutes over two video games.Oettinger stated he is trying ahead to the competitors and believes gamers can nonetheless be mates whereas competing.Video: Monty’s ideas on offseason strikes and rule modifications”You continue to should be a great teammate. We’re all on the identical group,” he stated. “However I wish to be the man within the web and I wish to be the man who will get known as up, so on the finish of the day, that is what I am trying ahead to.”And whereas many consultants say it could take longer to develop a goalie than every other place, Oettinger believes he could be the exception. [ARE YOU READY?: Stars announce 2019-20 regular season schedule] “I feel everybody’s path is completely different. Clearly, I wish to be within the NHL as quick as I can, so I do not suppose I would like that lengthy,” he stated when requested if age 24 or 25 is a sensible goal. “It is all about taking advantage of your alternative and enjoying nicely whenever you get the prospect. So whether or not that is this fall or at any time when I get my likelihood, I will be able to go.”I do not suppose there is a set-in-stone path for me, I wish to be within the NHL as fast as I can.”This story was not topic to the approval of the Nationwide Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Membership.Mike Heika is a Senior Employees Author for DallasStars.com and has lined the Stars since 1994. Observe him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and hearken to his podcast.Learn extra: Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars