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Calgary Flames Prospects: When Will Jon Gillies Be Ready?

By Luke Ryan

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The Calgary Flames situation between the pipes has attracted a lot of attention. Their 2012 NHL Draft pick, Jon Gillies is seen by many as the answer to their problems.

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Jon is the latest in a line of goaltenders to spend time honing their craft in the collegiate system, and many Calgary Flames fans believe he may one day be the number one goaltender the organisation so craves.

The 6 foot 6 New Hampshire-born Gillies was drafted 75th overall in 2012, but only recently, in April 2015 signed an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames.

He is currently assigned to the Stockton Heat and prior to a recent injury has staked a strong claim to the starting spot in their line-up.

Thankfully, as noted on Twitter, he’s finally on the mend and pushing for a return to the ice:

The big question though, given the struggles of Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio for the Calgary Flames, is when will Jon Gillies be ready for the NHL?

Looking at three NHL goaltenders that came through the collegiate system, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when he’ll be ready. After all, every talent develops at a different rate and it really depends on whether the Calgary Flames wish to rush the process or give the guy time to adjust to pro hockey.

Mike Richter, the New York Rangers Stanley Cup winning goaltender in 1994 played two seasons for the University of Wisconsin and another two in the minor leagues prior to his first NHL call-up. His call-up came in the Stanley Cup playoffs no less, but this isn’t exactly likely to occur in this day and age, when players are allowed to mature prior to playoff debuts (with a few notable exceptions to the rule).

Ed Belfour, the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup winning goaltender in 1999 played just the one year in with the University Of North Dakota, before his minor league call-up. He, too, served two years with the farm team before getting ice-time for the Chicago Blackhawks. He also served quite the apprenticeship with the Canadian national team, which could only have benefited his development.

Curtis Joseph, three-time NHL All-Star, Olympic gold medal winner and the winning-est goaltender in the NHL never to have played in a Stanley Cup winning team was another with collegiate roots. He is another alumnus of the University Of Wisconsin, winning twenty-one games in his only year there, before being signed to an entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. He, like those before, spent time in the minor leagues, though in his case it was only a year.

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Comparing the pattern of these three highly successful goaltenders that came out of the NCAA collegiate program, you’d expect Jon Gillies to be knocking on the door midway through this year or early next year.

Any later than that and we may be questioning why the Calgary Flames management is holding him back. He already spent longer in the college system than all of these illustrious names we’ve mentioned.

Is this a sure-fire formula to success?

Absolutely not.

Is it a decent template of success to look at; sure – all three of the goaltenders we looked at would be perfect for the Calgary Flames right now!

Jon Gillies’ form for the Stockton Heat prior to his injury certainly suggests that the step up from the collegiate system to the AHL hasn’t been too much of a leap.

Will the Calgary Flames take note of Gillies’ progression and promote him when he’s ready or will they continue to play ‘musical chairs’ with their goaltending?

Next: Calgary Flames: Older Hands Leading The Way

Tell us what you think of Jon Gillies and the future of Calgary Flames goaltending – has the collegiate system produced a diamond in the rough?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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