Flames Top 15 Prospects 2013: #10 Laurent Brossoit

What’s the similarity between Laurent Brossoit’s statistics and his FN prospect ranking relative to last season?

They’ve both climbed.

In fact he wasn’t even ranked last season. After being drafted by Calgary in the 6th round (164th overall) Brossoit’s stock as a prospect began to climb steadily and hit a fever pitch after a tremendous playoff performance with the 2011/12 edition of the Edmonton Oil Kings. His exceptional play in the playoffs led them to a WHL championship and a birth in the Memorial Cup (Let’s not discuss how he played in said Memorial Cup, because it wasn’t all that great).

Much was expected of Brossoit and the Oil Kings coming into the 2012/13 season. Most of the core from the playoff run the year previous was still intact and many saw them as being the class of the WHL. Unfortunately, Brossoit stumbled out of the gate, allowing soft goals and just generally not seeming very comfortable in the net. His play reflected on the Oil Kings as well as they struggled to find their stride early in the season.

Despite not playing his best hockey, Brossoit got an invite to Hockey Canada‘s roster selection camp ahead of the 2013 World Junior Championships. He managed to turn in a solid performance but it wasn’t enough to avoid being the only goaltender let go. There was some interest in how Brossoit would deal with the snub. Would he crumble and fail to regain his confidence or would he use his shortcoming as motivation to play his best hockey?

Thankfully, it was the latter.

Brossoit stormed through the second half of the season with exceptional numbers and 2012 playoff-esque performances. The Oil Kings, too, improved in the second half and secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Flames prospect wrapped up his third WHL campaign with career best numbers, going 33-8-6, a 2.25 GAA and a .917 SV%.

As stellar as Brossoit was in the 2012 playoffs, he managed to replicate that feat in 2013. He took the Oil Kings to the WHL finals again, only to fall the superpower Portland Winterhawks in 6 games. Through 22 playoff games Brossoit put up a stellar 1.82 GAA and equally impressive .935 SV% despite falling in the finals.

Brossoit will look to turn pro next year and seems well equipped – skills wise – to do so. The big, lanky goaltender has developed well through three WHL seasons, especially the mental side of the game. He uses his frame extremely well to cover the top parts of the net is proficient, butterfly style goalie down low.

One of Brossoit’s greatest strengths is his agility which he uses particularly well when in trouble to scramble get back into position. It also allows him to make spectacular saves at times. That being said, Brossoit is prone to letting in soft goals now and then. Not only that, but – especially early in his career – one harmless looking goal would topple his confidence and affect his play the rest of the game. As mentioned, his mental toughness seems to have improved greatly over the course of his junior career and he should be ready to at least back-up in the AHL.

Unfortunately, the Flames log jam at the goaltending position may force Brossoit to either play the season out in the ECHL or return for an overage season in the WHL, an extremely rare occurrence for top goaltending prospects. Regardless of where he plays, it’s becoming clear the Calgary Flames have snagged a real gem at 164th overall.