Who will end up as the Backup Goaltender to Matthew Villalta?
Last Season, it was Matthew Villalta, the AHL Goaltending Wins Leader, who was the backbone of a young, Roadrunners group. The backup role was split with four goaltenders. We saw 26-year-old Dylan Wells man the crease. When it wasn't him, it was rookie goaltender Anson Thorton backing up for Tucson. However this season, the second spot in Tucson is up for grabs, and could it become a competition? I break down what could happen, and what goaltender will end up with Tucson alongside Villalta.
As we know, Matthew Villalta was the stonewall. He lead the AHL in wins, with 31. Alongside the amount of wins, just 17 losses, 3 overtime losses, with a .911 SV% and 2.54 GAA. There is no question he deserves the first position in Tucson. To say the starting role would be a stretch, as guys like Stauber deserve a chance to prove themselves as well. With Ingram as the presumed NHL starter, his position is secured. Vejmelka could be demoted for Villalta if his play doesn't improve sometime next season.
Jaxson Stauber signed a two-way deal with the Utah Hockey Club last week. For the fans who think Dylan Wells could end up the backup over Stauber, this is what it will come down to via the management's eyes. Stauber signed an NHL contract. One-year, two-way. This means he is indeed still under contract by the NHL club, Utah HC. Meanwhile Dylan Wells on the other hand signed an AHL contract. This means he is under contract by the AHL club. So that's one way to think about it. Adding to the fact that Stauber was signed before Wells for that reason.
With the Rockford IceHogs last season, Stauber was 18-8-3 with a .902 SV% and 2.85 GAA. Ending the season on a 13-game win streak helped his case as well. During that span he passed goaltender Corey Crawford for an all-time win streak with the club. In the streak, Stauber posted a .922 SV and had a goal along the ride.
Goaltender Dylan Wells spent the course of his 2023-2024 season with Tucson, and the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. When he was with Tucson he went 10-5-3, with a .898 SV% and 3.28 GAA. In Idaho, it wasn't much different. The 6'2 goaltender did not lose, however, winning all seven games he started. Putting up a .894 SV% and 3.27 GAA. When you look at the fact that his season was spent between both the AHL and ECHL, it's assumed that he will start with Idaho.
Rounding out the goaltending depth is Rookie Goaltender Anson Thorton. Undrafted, the 23-year-old is coming off his first pro season. Spent between Tucson and loaned to the Reading Royals of the ECHL, it's safe to say we can see Thorton back with either Reading or Idaho to start next season. It's not normal to rush a goaltender, but especially one that will need to get his numbers up if he wants to move Stauber or Wells over. Another concern of Thorton is that he only played thirteen games last season. In four games with Tucson he had a .849 SV% and 4.10 GAA. In the nine with Reading, Thorton had a .893 SV% and 3.27 GAA.
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