Team: Buffalo Sabres
Bob Frid / CHL

Fantasy Summary

Aggressive netminder with quick feet and good reflexes. Needs to work on his awareness and technique, but has enough interesting physical tools to potentially become a fringe starter.


Observations

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July 2024- Ratzlaff returned to Seattle for his third WHL campaign in 2023-2024. His role was broadened with the team due to Thomas Milic’s departure. He consequently logged 52 games played during the regular season. Much of the 2023 Memorial Cup-contending team had departed in the off-season, leaving him to backstop a less fortified, less-experienced group. He logged a save percentage of .905 and a goals-against average of 3.33. Kevin Wong

June 2023 – Ratzlaff was selected 141st overall by the Sabres. Pat Quinn

June 2023 – Despite sharing the net with top WHL goaltender Thomas Milic, Ratzlaff has made a name for himself this season. In 34 games with the powerhouse Seattle Thunderbirds, Ratzlaff posted a .918 save percentage and 2.15 goals-against average.

The main thing that stands out with Ratzlaff is how aggressive he is off the rush. He goes out to way above his blue paint to challenge shooters, keeping an eye on potential passing threats and relying on his quick feet to stay square to the shooter or fly to the side when a pass does make its way through. He has strong reflexes, but does tend to get beat quite often below his hands. He doesn’t plug his holes as efficiently as other netminders due to subpar technique and form. Working on that could bring out the best in Ratzlaff and make him a fringe starter in his mid-twenties. Hadi Kalakeche

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 5.5
NHL Certainty 4.0
Country CAN
Position G
Roster Type Junior
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth March 9, 2005
Height 6‘1”
Weight 174 lbs
Drafted 2023 Round 5; Overall: 141

Stats

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Highlights