Who's got next? Everett Silvertips goalkeeper Austin Lotz

Don't let the numbers fool you.

Austin Lotz is the real deal.

The Everett Silvertips rookie goaltender's statistics may appear unimpressive -- 1-5-0-1 record, 4.79 goals against average, .883 save percentage -- but Lotz has displayed a shot-stopping ability that marks him as one for the future.

"He's been great," Everett coach Mark Ferner said of Lotz. "Certainly we haven't been getting the results we've wanted (the Tips are last in their division), but he's come in and played some quality games. As a young guy who played AA midget last year, he's opened a lot of eyes.

"He's got a bright future, no question."

Lotz, a 16-year-old from St. Adolphe, Manitoba, wasn't even supposed to make Everett's roster this season. The 6-foot, 185-pounder was a lightly regarded prospect, having not been taken until the seventh round of the 2010 bantam draft. His numbers last season for Eastman of the Winnipeg Midget Hockey Association, which isn't even the highest level of midget hockey in Manitoba, were nothing special at 4-15 with a 3.76 goals against average. When training camp began in August he was no better than fourth on Everett's depth chart.

But Lotz impressed during training camp with an active and acrobatic goaltending style that allows him to make the spectacular saves, and eventually he beat out older players to serve as Kent Simpson's back-up.

Playing behind Simpson, a 19-year-old veteran who's a second-round NHL draft pick, has meant Lotz's opportunities have been limited. But when given a chance to start Lotz has often been sensational. In his Western Hockey League debut he turned in a mind-bending performance, opening his account with a 50-save spectacular against Saskatoon. He also turned in a 47-save performance against Vancouver and a 40-save effort against Spokane.

"Personally, it's been going all right," Lotz said of his rookie campaign. "I've had a couple good games, a couple not-so-good games."

Lotz's performances earned him a spot on Team West for the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, meaning he's considered the top goaltender his age from Manitoba. Now he's not only heralded himself as Everett's goaltender of the future, he's put himself on the map as a potential NHL prospect -- Lotz will be eligible for the NHL draft in 2013.

"I hope to get drafted, just like every other Canadian kid who wants to play in the NHL, right?" Lotz said. "But I've got a long way to go and I've got to work really hard to make that dream come true. I'll just have to keep working hard to get there."

And for the next three seasons the Silvertips figure to be the beneficiaries of those efforts.

Check out Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.