Jet Greaves in Full Flight for Barrie Colts. #OHL

(Jeff Bothwright/Cheap Seats Productions)

The 2018-19 season has been a struggle for the Barrie Colts. The team is clearly working towards the future as proven by trades that saw top players moved before the OHL trade deadline. Seeing skaters like Lucas Chiodo, Joey Keane and former captain Justin Murray move were tough losses for the team and fans, but necessary.

While goal production has slowed down, especially following the injury to Buffalo Sabres prospect Matej Pekar, the team has also had difficulties in their end. Many were optimistic that the team would be strong on the back end and as we near the end of the regular season it has not been a strength for the Ponies.

Colts Future Looking Good

The team has a lot to look forward to with rookies like Tyson Foerster, Riley Piercey and Peter Fleming developing nicely, the team is also realizing that one of their strongest assets moving forward is goaltender Jet Greaves.

That start of the season saw the Colts juggle three goaltenders. Import pick Maksim Zhukov, Kai Edmonds and Jet Greaves. With Dale Hawerchuk rotating the trio, it was clear that there wasn't enough time to make sure each guy played enough games required to improve, gain confidence and prove who would be the starter. Since Zhukov returned to the USHL, that situation in the crease is becoming a little more clear.

Congrats @jetgreaves!

💯 saves in two games has earned the @OHLBarrieColts rookie @VaughnHockey #CHL Goaltender of the Week honours.

DETAILS: https://t.co/tJNIsEvXP9 pic.twitter.com/A44XTiiSMx

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) February 6, 2019

Edmonds has been really good for the Colts but it has become very clear that the team views Greaves is the guy moving forward, and rightfully so. While the team struggles to generate much as far as point production, Greaves has managed to keep the Colts in games where they have been outplayed and heavily outshot. We saw no better evidence of that than last week when Jet made 100 saves in back-to-back games with the London Knights and Mississauga Steelheads.  Greaves helped force the London game to a shootout where the Colts would lose, then he would follow that game up with a 3-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads. He would go on to be named the CHL Goalie of the Month for his first time.

A Soaring Jet

In 17 games this season, Jet has a 5-7-1-1 record. Over those games, he has posted a 2.894 GAA and a 0.922 save percentage. Not only is he facing a lot of shots on goal averaging 31.6 shots a game, but it is also worth mentioning that the team spends a lot of time killing penalties. The team currently is the 3rd most penalized team in the league and has allowed 46 goals while on the penalty kill. The team sits in the middle of the league on the penalty kill with a 79.1%.

(Jeff Bothwright/Cheap Seats Productions)

Versus the Competition

While it is important to note that 17 games are not a high number compared to some of the top performing goaltenders, Greaves has to be in the conversation as a top goaltender. His .922 SAV% is the best in the league. Hard to compare considering Wolves netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who has a .921 SAV% through 37 games. Michael DiPietro of Windsor who sits with a .920 in 21 games played and is 3rd in this category. Of the top 10 goalies, Jet has these numbers and is the only goalie with a losing record. Impressive considering the teams struggle to not only score goals but also earn wins.

As for his goals against average, he ranks high in that category as well. His 2.89 GAA has him in 8th in the OHL. The only rookie goalie with a better GAA is Tristan Lennox of Saginaw who has a 2.58 in 10 games played.

Strengths and Attributes

Greaves has many attributes that stand out. He does a great job of tracking the puck and rarely allows a rebound. When he can't absorb the puck, he does a strong job of redirecting it away from the goal preventing the offence from getting rebounds. He has great movement in the crease and is very quick going post-to-post. Standing at 6 foot and weighing 161 pounds, Jet is able to make himself look big in the net. As the team develops in front of him and improves, look for his abilities to only get better with them.

(Jeff Bothwright/Cheap Seats Productions)

Greaves was not included on the NHL Midterm Central Scouting list which was a shock to many. While his total games played might have been a factor, it seemed strange that he wasn't included. Luckily, not making that list isn't the end of the world. Barrie has had several scouts at games lately, especially with top prospect Ryan Suzuki, you know that he has found a way on teams radars. Though the team might not make the playoffs (but still could, especially because of Jets play), the play of Greaves will not only give them a chance to win games but will also help him catch the eye of NHL teams as the draft approaches.