Fantasy Summary
A slightly undersized netminder who has all the tools to overcome the slight height deficit.
Observations
Click to Expand
May 2024 – During the 2023-2024 regular season, Garand replicated his numbers from a season ago, with a near identical GAA and save percentage. Hartford is currently playing in the AHL playoffs, and although it is getting to be a bit of a crowded crease in Hartford, Garand has been the man occupying the net thus far this postseason. The organization recently signed fellow prospect Hugo Ollas, and despite veteran Louis Domingue being summoned to the Rangers for their playoff run, the Wolf Pack’s roster in net still currently includes Talyn Boyko, Olof Lindbom, Ollas, and Garand. In four games thus far, during the team’s Calder Cup playoff run, he has been impressive, posting a 1.95 GAA to go along with a .945 save percentage. Brendan Ferry
February 2023 – Garand has struggled in his first full professional season, after a brief cameo with Hartford two years due to his junior team being shut down. In 22 games with the Wolf Pack, the netminder has gone 8-10-3 with a 3.22 GAA, to go along with a .888 save percentage. With one of the best goaltending coaches at his disposal, the Rangers’ Benoit Allaire, expect the former Kamloops Blazers goalie to train and put in the work in the offseason to come into 2023-2024 strong. Garand also has the fortune of sharing Hartford’s crease again next season with veteran Louis Domingue. The organization will be patient with Garand’s development, and at the same time, he will be able to lean on his veteran counterpart to take some of the pressure off. Brendan Ferry
July 2022 – Garand was recently named CHL goalie of the year, after posting a remarkable record of 34 wins in 45 games played, along with a 2.16 GAA with a .925 save percentage. In the CHL playoffs, Garand’s numbers were even better, as he posted a stingy 1.92 GAA with a .933 save percentage in 17 appearances. The 2020 fourth round pick, who signed his ELC with New York in December 2021, will confidently approach his 2022-2023 season after his strong campaign with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers during this past season. Brendan Ferry
January 2021 – Garand served as Team Canada’s backup goaltender throughout the duration of their Silver Medal winning tournament. Although he did some time in Canada’s crease during the preliminary round, the Ranger prospect was passed over in favour of Devon Levi, who backstopped the Canadian’s throughout the tournament. Garand could return next year for a second attempt to backstop Canada in the tournament. Brayden Olafson
December 2020 – Garand was one of the five goaltenders invited to Canada’s World Junior selection camp this winter. Although the WHL has yet to kick off for the 2021 season, Garand is likely one of the favourites to form Canada’s battery for the 2021 edition of the World Junior Championship. Brayden Olafson
October 2020 – The Rangers selected Dylan Garand in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry draft. The Kamloops Blazers 18-year-old netminder blends a highly athletic ability with a solid technical foundation. Although he plays a relatively unorthodox style for today’s goaltender, Garand is a workhorse and has a good chance at becoming at least a serviceable backup goaltender in the NHL one day. Brayden Olafson
September 2020 – The Kamloops Blazers netminder has shown that he is more than capable of playing in a starter’s role at the WHL level. His save percentage (.921) was very good for a 17-year-old netminder in the WHL, tied for third among goaltenders with at least 20 games. His glove hand is quick and he directs shots with his rebound up into the netting quite well. He has quick feet but can overslide at times when powering off the post. His composure in net improved this year as he’s begun to mature as a young man, showing a calmness that was admirable, particularly in the second half of the season. The biggest issue with Garand as a prospect is that he is only 6’1″ and teams have been trending bigger in net for years now and don’t seem to be relenting on that notion any time soon. From a talent point, Garand should be a top-60 pick but the size has like Tony Ferrari
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.