Colorado Avalanche: Top 5 Goalies at the 2018 Draft
Olivier Rodrigue
2017-18 Team: Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL
Date of Birth: Jul. 6, 2000 (17 years old)
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 159 lbs.
Catches: Left
Ranked #1 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Goalies)
Future Considerations: 83rd
ISS Hockey: 1st (among goalies)
Bob McKenzie: 3rd (among goalies)
Craig Button: 70th
Olivier Rodrigue out of the QMJHL is generally the first goalie to go in most mock drafts. He’s top-ranked North American goalie by Central Scouting. Draftsite has him going at the #43 spot, which is just before Colorado’s first second-rounder.
That said, the Hockey Writers project Rodrigue to go in the third round “between the 70th and 80th picks” — which puts him right in Colorado’s range.
Rodrigue isn’t in the new style of tall, lanky goalie. However, Steve Kournianos of The Draft Analyst calls him “an aggressive netminder who will dart out of the crease to defend shots from anywhere in his own end.”
Ben Kerr of Last Word on Hockey considers Olivier a mature goalie with a “cool demeanour in net [that] rubs off on his teammates.” The scout observes that Rodrigue is an athletic goalie with quick reflexes who recovers quickly. He also considers the goalie to have excellent agility and skating ability.
If the Colorado Avalanche picked up Olivier Rodrigue with the Nashville Predators second rounder, #58, I’d feel comfortable enough. I feel Olivier could be one of those sneaky goalies who’s better than he scouts.
Rodrigue in action: