2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Scott Ratzlaff

The Western Hockey League chose Scott Ratzlaff of the Seattle Thunderbirds as the Goaltender of the Month for December. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds

Scott Ratzlaff is the 6’1”, 172lb Canadian born goalie who spent the 22/23 season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.
34GP – 2.15GAA – .918 SV% – 25 W – 5SO

Strengths

He plays a very smart, controlled game and relies on his positioning and skating to stop pucks. He has good rebound control, though could use some improvement there to take the next step. Plays a safe style.

Weaknesses

He struggles to make blocker saves and can be beaten there. He can also struggle with traffic in front and tipped pucks.

Overview

Ratzlaff has a lot to like in a goalie prospect. If given proper developmental time and direction, The Hlinka Cup, where he backstopped his team with 0.50 GAA and .976 SV%, showed the potential he has. While not in the top couple of goalie prospects, Ratzlaff sticks out as a potential mid-round steal with real upside. The Memorial Cup runner-up should have a bright future in the NHL, just some patience will be required.

Related Story: 2023 NHL Draft – Nashville


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues Series Preview

One more sleep and the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues battle it out for the first time since 2019 in the postseason. Both teams have a close head-to-head rivalry since the 1999-2000 season, but have only met once in the playoffs. A throwback to the clash in 2019 has shades of the past after […]

Read More

The Connor McDavid Lottery, 10 Years Later

When you have a job writing about the Edmonton Oilers, it’s hard not to type out his name at least once in every article. April 18th, 2015, the 9th year in our team’s Decade of Darkness had just come to a close, finishing 3rd last league-wide. Connor McDavid was the projected top prospect in that year’s […]

Read More
Dougie Hamilton skates in the Devils' final regular-season contest after missing 18 games with injury.

Devils Drop Final Regular Season Game to Detroit Red Wings

The New Jersey Devils lost 5-2 to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center. It was game 82 for New Jersey, the final regular-season matchup before the team travels to Carolina to begin its playoff campaign. The Red Wings were previously eliminated from playoff contention and have one more contest on […]

Read More