Photo: SMJHL prospect Justin Time secures a low puck in a workout prior to the draft
Boise, ID:
As we approach this year’s SMJHL rookie draft, the S64 draft class waits with bated breath for the first milestone in what could someday be a Hall of Fame career, and first generation goaltender Justin Time is no exception. No stranger to the pressure that comes from playing between the pipes, he hopes to build on a foundation of real-world goaltending and sports simulation that make up the passions of user RAmenAmen as he steps into the world of SHL simulation for the first time.
Hailing from Boise, the American goaltender Time stands at 6’3” and 201 lbs, putting his frame right in the middle of some of the SHL’s current leading goalies, equally suited to playing “big” or playing “fast”, depending on the needs and preferences of his team. Despite being a first time player, his activity level and balanced skill set should make him an asset to any junior team looking to solidify their roster in net.
In what’s sure to be a stacked draft class full of promising young players and returning recreates, SMJHL GMs need all the information they can get to fill their draft boards with talent and make a run at the Four Star Cup, so what separates this rookie goaltender from the rest?
At first glance, Justin’s player profile looks fairly flat, with no attribute higher than 11, and no single save selection that jumps out above the others. His high school coaches point to that as his biggest strength, though.
“The kid doesn’t have any bad habits,” his goaltending coach answered in a recent interview. “Most guys at this level have a ‘go-to’ move, and while they excel at it, it can be a disaster when the opposing coaches find his weakness and exploit it. Justin’s different, though. Every play, no matter the shooter, he steps up, squares himself to the puck, and makes the save that fits the play.”
His attribute set may not look ready for the hall of fame yet, but coaches and scouts alike are salivating over Time’s growth potential. “He’s like a sponge,” one scout noted after a full day of off-ice exercises. “You draw up a dozen plays on the board and he picks them up immediately. I think his potential for development is huge, and he’s as coachable as they come. He can, and will, grow into whatever mold he needs to in order to make the jump to the big leagues.”
With Time sitting on a pile of unspent TPE, most scouts agree. The young goaltender has the foundation for a great career, but his true strengths will emerge with the help of his coaching staff and GM as he makes his rookie debut in the SMJHL.
The Weaknesses
No rookie is perfect, and Justin has some gaps to his game that any GM should be aware of. With a passing attribute of 5, clearing the puck will be a challenge for him in the best of situations. He prefers to cover the puck whenever possible, and won’t make the risky pass in the defensive zone.
While not as egregious as his passing, Time’s poke checking is his next lowest attribute, sitting at a modest 8. Not an aggressive goaltender, Time prefers to utilize his positioning and reflexes to prepare for and react to the play, putting the decision making in the hands of the opposing forwards and his own defensemen. Scouts think that pairing Time with a strong, crease-clearing defenseman could go a long way toward his development, and his team’s success.
Pre-Draft Interview, January 5th
Just days before the draft, Justin sat down with us to answer a few questions and prepare GMs for what to expect from him. Below is a brief excerpt from our interview:
Q: Justin, you’re a relative newcomer to the world of SHL. What should GMs know about you, and what do you hope to accomplish in the “J”?
JT: Well, I’d say my biggest strength is my dedication. I’m completely committed to learning the game, getting experience, and being a part of my team and my community, wherever I end up. Eventually, I want to compete for championships, both in the juniors and in the SHL, but right now I want to focus on my development and building connections with my teammates and GM.
Q: That sounds like a great mentality as a rookie. Is there anywhere in particular that you want to be drafted? Any team that stands out to you, or one you want to avoid?
JT: You know that’s a loaded question, right? Honestly, I’m fine playing anywhere. I want a chance to prove myself and earn some starts, but I’m comfortable with the idea of learning behind a solid mentor. What’s most important to me is being a part of the plan. Any GM that’s willing to show me their plan for my early career and help me become the best player I can be is one that’ll have my trust, and my dedication.
Q: I’m sure that’s going to make some GMs very happy. Or maybe very nervous? Alright, we’ve got time for one last question, so let’s give you a chance to talk about your own style of play, and what we might see from you in the future. Who’s your favorite goalie in the league right now, and do you try to model your game after them?
JT: Man, that’s a tough one. There’s a lot of great goalies in the SHL right now. I love watching Jon St. Ark in New Orleans. His positioning, rebound control, and reflexes unbelievable, and his technique is solid. It helps that he’s close to my size, so I know that what I see in his game is something I can add to mine. You can say the same about Mat Smith in Chicago, he’s just got no weakness in his game, and he makes those saves without being too aggressive with his stick, which is something I’ve heard said about my game as well. Looking at the juniors, though, there’s lots of players to look at for short-term goals and development, but you can’t go wrong with the reigning Goalie of the Year in Willie Miller. The jump he made in S62 was just incredible, and Nevada is a playoff contender because of it.
Q: Is he someone you’d want as a mentor, then?
JT: Hey, I said I’m happy to go anywhere, and I mean it. There’s a ton to learn from everyone in this league, and that’s what I want to do this season.
Q: Well thank you Justin for taking the time to speak with us, and we wish you the best on draft day.
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