NEW YORK — Dustin Wolf, the Calgary Flames’ goalie, comes from Gilroy, California, a town famous for garlic. He jokes about the strong garlic smell being the scent of home.
It’s unusual for a top rookie goalie to come from Northern California. Before Wolf, only a few goalies from California had played in the NHL. Thatcher Demko, a star goalie for Vancouver, is also from California. Wolf has played more NHL games than most California-born goalies.
Another surprise is Wolf’s success as a goalie who is only 6 feet tall, in a time when many goalies are much taller. Big goalies like Connor Hellebuyck and Justus Annunen are common in the NHL today.
It’s also rare for players drafted late, as Wolf was, to have significant NHL careers.
Wolf was picked very late in the 2019 NHL draft. He was almost the last player chosen. Even Henrik Lundqvist, a famous goalie, was drafted much earlier than Wolf.
Wolf waited a long time at the draft, unsure if he would be picked at all. He was surprised and happy when Calgary called his name.
Against the odds, Wolf made it to the NHL and is now playing very well. He has helped the Flames compete for a playoff spot. In his rookie season, he has a good record and save percentage. He is among the best goalies in the league in goals saved above expected, especially considering Calgary’s low scoring.
Blake Coleman, a Flames forward, says Wolf is a big reason for the team’s playoff chances because of his confidence and strong play.
This strong performance has made Wolf a contender for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL’s best rookie. He was recently ranked second for the award, close behind Macklin Celebrini.
One hockey expert said Wolf has been the most consistent and best rookie this season, highlighting his remarkable impact in Calgary.
Wolf’s Development and Opportunity
Many people think Wolf suddenly appeared this season, but Flames coach Ryan Huska explains it was a planned development. Wolf played for years in junior hockey and the minor leagues. He also played a few NHL games last season. This year, after Calgary traded Jacob Markstrom, Wolf got his chance as a starter.
Huska believes playing longer in the minor leagues helped Wolf. The team expected him to improve and take on a bigger role this season, which he has done.
Wolf mentioned that after playing many games in previous years, he had to adjust to a less consistent role last season, going between the NHL and AHL. This year, he knew he would have a real opportunity to play, but still had to prove himself.
From November to January, Wolf played excellently, helping the Flames stay in the playoff race. Although the Flames were not expected to be contenders, they are now fighting for a playoff spot. Wolf focuses on his play and hopes the team can make it.
He admits it’s exciting to be in a playoff battle, even if it’s stressful to watch other teams’ scores.
Every game is important now. Recently, in a game against Toronto, Wolf had a tough night, allowing five goals and getting pulled from the game for the first time this season.
Although Toronto scored some difficult goals, Wolf took responsibility, especially for one goal he felt he should have stopped. He felt he let his team down, but his teammate Rasmus Andersson reassured him, saying everyone has bad games and his overall season has been great for Calgary.
Wolf appreciated the support.
This wasn’t the first time Wolf was pulled from a game. It also happened in his first professional game in the minor leagues against Toronto. He sees these tough experiences as learning opportunities. He believes you can only improve from your lowest points.
After the Toronto game, Wolf went to practice to work on his game. He also reviewed video to see what he could improve. He focuses on basics to regain his confidence.
Wolf doesn’t dwell on past bad games. He sees the recent tough game as another step in his development and knows he will continue to learn and improve in the NHL.
In the next game against New Jersey, Wolf played better, making key saves in a close game. He helped the Flames win a critical game, highlighting the importance of timely saves in tight contests.
After the win, Wolf emphasized the team’s do-or-die situation and the need to keep fighting.
Rookie Impact and Calder Trophy Race
Morgan Frost, a Calgary forward, sometimes forgets Wolf is a rookie because of his strong play. Frost, who joined Calgary recently, had heard about Wolf’s rookie performance and has been impressed watching him play.
Frost enjoys seeing Wolf win games, especially the close, low-scoring ones where Wolf’s goaltending is crucial.
Wolf acknowledges the team sometimes struggles to score but believes in the team’s skill and potential when they play together.
The Flames have surprised many this season. Wolf says the team never believed the predictions that they would be a bottom team.
Wolf’s play has put him in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Goalies are often considered for the Calder Trophy, and some have been finalists recently. However, it’s rare for a goalie to win. The last rookie goalie to win was Steve Mason in 2009. Only a few goalies have won it in the past decades.
It’s similar with the MVP award; goalies don’t often win. Carey Price was the last goalie to win the Hart Trophy (MVP) in 2015. Before him, only Dominik Hasek and Jose Theodore won it since the 1990s.
Wolf wonders if goalies get enough recognition beyond the Vezina Trophy (for best goalie). He thinks goaltending is the hardest job in sports and perhaps goalies should be appreciated more. But he loves being a goalie, despite the pressures.
Wolf appreciates the Calder Trophy consideration, but his main focus is helping the Flames reach the playoffs. He wants to concentrate on stopping pucks and winning games, not individual awards.
The attention on awards is new for Wolf, who has often been seen as an underdog due to his height and draft position.
Wolf feels being underrated his whole career, partly because of his height, has been helpful. It allows him to focus on his game without extra pressure.
