Joel Hofer

November 2023 – Hofer has had an impressive start to the NHL season. In his first seven games, he boasts a 0.919 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average. Additionally, he ranks 17th in goals saved above expected, with 2.7. Hofer also has accomplished his first career shutout against Calgary. If he can keep that up, this could put pressure on the Blues to make a move at the goalie position. Cedrick Blais-Turcotte

May 2023 – Hofer was one of the best AHL goalies last season. The Blues gave Hofer a six game stint in the NHL due to a Binnington suspension. In those games, he showed potential, mainly with his first two starts where he saved 4.43 goals saved above average. He finished first in all goalies who played at least 6 games in Goal Saved Above expected per games played (GSAx/GP) with a 0.62. In 47 games in the AHL, he only allowed three or more goals in consecutive games four times. His consistency throughout the season helped his squad in making the playoffs for the second year in a row, but two losses were enough to knock his team out in the first round. Following his elimination, Hofer was selected for team Canada in the World championship. Cedrick Blais-Turcotte 

June 2022 – In his second professional season, Hofer progressed well. In 39 games for the Springfield Thunderbirds, he was in net for 18 wins and posted a .905 save percentage. He was good enough for the Blues to call him up for his NHL debut, playing two games in which he secured his first NHL win and sported a .880 save percentage. He’s been even more impressive in the playoffs: he is undefeated in all five games he’s played so far with an amazing 0.965 save percentage. If the 21-year-old can keep shutting the door, the Thunderbirds could go all the way in this year’s Calder cup playoffs. Gordon Munro

September 2019 – Hofer was sent back to Portland on the 17th and heads into his third WHL season as the number one goaltender for the Winterhawks. Through his first two games Hofer has been solid posting a .922 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average. Hofer has already tasted AHL competition and should prove to be too good for the WHL at this point in his career. There are a lot of players ahead of Hofer, which means the Blues have the luxury of letting him marinate for a few more years in the AHL. Sam Stern

May 2018 – For most of the season Hofer was anchored by an abysmal Swift Current Broncos team that won just 11 games, and he was later dealt to Portland. The 18-year-old took several steps in his development this year. He kept his save percentage above .900 during his time with Swift Current and saw his numbers improve with Portland. The season all culminated with him signing an ELC and making his first professional start with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. Sam Stern