Huskies Bolster Roster with Former Blades Goaltender Nolan Maier
In a significant development for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's hockey program, former Saskatoon Blades standout goaltender Nolan Maier has officially joined the team. The addition creates a highly competitive and crowded goal crease situation for the Huskies as they prepare for crucial upcoming games.
Long-Awaited Homecoming for Maier
Nolan Maier's journey to the Huskies has been years in the making. The talented netminder reveals that he was originally committed to joining the University of Saskatchewan back in 2022, but professional opportunities intervened. "I was committed for a time," Maier recalls, "but the way things worked out, I had an opportunity to go play pro and I took it. All roads lead back home, so here I am. I'm excited that I'm a part of it."
Maier finally made his Huskies debut in early January after leaving the ECHL in November. The Yorkton native brings two more years of U Sports eligibility following this season, providing stability for the Huskies' goaltending future.
Crowded Crease Creates Competitive Environment
The Huskies now feature an impressive trio of goaltenders all vying for playing time. Maier joins fellow first-year Huskie Bryan Thomson, who also brings professional experience, and graduating fifth-year netminder Jordan Kooy, a former Vegas Golden Knights draft pick. Earlier this season, the team also carried rookie James Venne on its roster.
This abundance of talent creates what head coach Brandin Cote describes as "a good problem to have." The coaching staff faces difficult decisions about playing time distribution, but the competitive environment pushes all players to perform at their highest level.
Impressive Credentials Made Maier Irresistible
The Huskies coaching staff admits they weren't actively seeking another goaltender, but Maier's credentials made him impossible to pass up. As the Saskatoon Blades' all-time winning goalie, Maier brings a proven track record of success. His professional experience includes 11 games in the American Hockey League and 86 ECHL games.
Maier's international experience further enhances his value. He represented Team Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he won a gold medal, and also competed at the world under-18 championship. Coach Cote emphasizes the significance of adding such a player: "When Nolan Maier calls to join, just with his history with the Blades and the success that he's had, you can't really turn that down."
Adjustment Period and Future Outlook
In his initial appearances with the Huskies, Maier has posted a 4-1-0 record with a 3.29 goals-against average and .876 save percentage. Coach Cote notes these statistics don't fully reflect Maier's capabilities, explaining that the goaltender hadn't played for approximately two months before joining the team and has experienced some unfortunate bounces.
"He's competitive. He's technically sound. He's a great teammate and he does play the puck well," Cote observes. "Overall, he's a pro, handles himself accordingly and he pushes the other people on our team."
The Huskies return to action with important games against the University of Calgary Dinos at Merlis Belsher Place, where the goaltending competition will undoubtedly influence team performance and playoff positioning.
