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Despite being just 16 years old, Carter Hart gradually took over the starting role for the Silvertips last season, and ended up playing 30 regular season games and 11 playoff games. His 2.29 goals against average was tops in the WHL. After winning gold with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka tournament last summer, he continued to have a stranglehold on the starting goaltending role in Everett this past season. He played in 63 games for the Silvertips, helping them to be one of the top defensive teams in the WHL, with a 2.14 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Hart and the Silvertips would make the second round of the playoffs, but would fall in five games. Hart only played in six playoff games as he missed the last four games of the season and the start of the playoffs with injury. In six playoff games he put up a stellar .929 save percentage. Hart also played in the annual CHL Top Prospects game, and for the WHL All-Stars in the Canada/Russia Super Series. He is the top goaltender on our draft board.
Carter Hart Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft
Goalie — shoots Left — Catches Left
Born Aug 13 1998 — Sherwood Park, ALTA
Height 6’01” — Weight 170 lbs [185 cm / 77 kg]
Carter Hart came in at just 6’1″ at the start of the season, but only turned 17 in August and could add another inch or two before the NHL combine. His current height would put him close to the low end of recent top NHL goaltending prospects, as there has been a move towards drafting and developing bigger goaltenders throughout the league. Hart makes up for his lack of size with his exceptionally fast reflexes. He gets in and out of the butterfly very quickly, and takes away the bottom of the net with very quick legs. He also is an aggressive goalie who makes himself seem bigger by taking full advantage of his ability to come out of the net and cut down angles. Strong skating, being able to move out and back quickly, as well as a good push and the ability to go side-to-side with ease allow Hart to fully take advantage of a style that sees him really challenge shooters and aggressively play the angles. He also has a quick glove hand.
Carter Hart is extremely athletic in the crease. While his technique is solid, and he is almost always square to the shooter, whether it be on a first shot or rebound, when he does get beaten he can make some incredible recoveries and reflex based stops. While most young goalies struggle with rebound control this is a strength of Hart’s game, as he often swallows up pucks or directs them into the corners, minimizing the number of second chance opportunities that he will face. Hart keeps a cool and calm demeanour in the net. If he does give up a soft goal, which is rare, he does not get rattled and comes back ready to make the next stop.
One area that Hart can improve upon is his stickhandling. When he travels outside of his crease, he does not play the puck very well. This is something that he will need to continue to improve upon as its become such an important part of modern game.
As with most young goalies, Hart will be a project, but if developed correctly, he has the potential to become a starting goalie in the NHL. His solid technique, combined with his raw athleticism, lead to a style of play that is similar to Jonathan Quick.
The following is a compilation of Carter Hart highlights, taken from youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the #29 prospect on our NHL Draft board.
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