Austin Lotz makes an impression
Published 12:51 pm Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Everett goaltender Austin Lotz was hoping to make an impression when he was invited to rookie training camp with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. Well, he did just that as he’s advanced to Vancouver’s main camp.
Lotz backstopped the Canucks twice during the Young Stars Classic rookie tournament in Penticton, B.C. Although he allowed goals, that was largely because the Canucks entry was outshot considerably in each of his game. First-hand reports of Lotz’s performances were glowing, saying he was the reason Vancouver was able to stay in the games.
Canuck GM Jim Benning, meeting with media after first, says Curtis Valk and G Austin Lotz are 2 players who have exceeded his expectations.
— Elliott Pap (@ElliottPap) September 16, 2014
Lotz, a 19-year-old from St. Adolphe, Manitoba, was disappointingly passed over in the past two NHL drafts. But he received a rookie camp tryout from Carolina last year, and he seems to be making the most of his tryout this year with the Canucks. Lotz is a lifelong Canucks fan, so if he earns a contract out of this I’m sure it will more than erase all the disappointment that accompanied not getting drafted.
Vancouver’s main training camp begins Thursday and runs through next Monday, mostly in Whistler, B.C. Therefore, Lotz will not be available for Everett’s season opener Saturday at Seattle. With Lotz sticking around with the Canucks a while longer, Everett won’t have to make a decision on its back-up goaltender this week as both Nik Amundrud and Carter Hart will be needed through the weekend.
