In case you missed it: The St. Louis Blues recalled three Springfield Thunderbirds players on Monday. The three players were goaltender Joel Hofer, forward Hugh McGing, and defenseman Tyler Tucker from Springfield, Massachusetts.
Here’s what you need to know about all three. Hint: All three got a taste of NHL regular season action during the Blues’ home-and-home series against the Dallas Stars!
Joel Hofer, born June 30, 2000, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was drafted by the Blues in the 2018 NHL Draft in the fourth round with the 107th overall pick.
Hofer’s future seems promising, as he has shown the general public that he made the most of his [emergency] stint for the Blues. He thrived in the net for two games against the Washington Capitals and the Winnipeg Jets on March 17 and 19, stopping 65 of 67 shots for a .970 save percentage.
Hofer started in the Blues’ final home game of the regular season against the Stars on April 12 at the Enterprise Center. The 22-year-old provided a short-term spark but soon fizzled after allowing five goals on 37 shots in the Blues’ 5-2 loss to the Stars. While I wouldn’t fret about the goaltender’s last few outings, I don’t think he’ll become the next top goaltender in St. Louis next season. I could be wrong, though.
Tyler Tucker, born March 1, 2000, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, was drafted by the Blues in the 2018 NHL Draft in the seventh round with the 200th overall pick. Tyler has a twin brother, Jesse, who plays college hockey at Michigan State University.
Tucker scored his first NHL goal on February 23 to make it 2-0 Blues in the second period in a home game against the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks tied the game 2-2 in the third period, forced overtime, and ultimately won 3-2.
Tucker can fill in on the Blues’ backline, and I like how he tries to keep things simple. The 23-year-old defenseman has been continuing to impress the public.
Hugh McGing was born July 11, 1998, to parents James and Breda in Chicago, Illinois. Hugh’s two older brothers, Liam and James, played hockey. Liam played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, while James played club hockey at the University of Illinois.
McGing, a center, was drafted by the Blues in the 2018 NHL Draft in the fifth round with the 138th overall pick. The now-24-year-old was part of the last wave of Thunderbirds players to join the Blues this season, and that’s perfectly fine. He’s far from an overnight sensation, and his hard work ethic, high energy, and competitiveness have shined over the last couple of years.
What are your thoughts about the three? Let us know in the comments!
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