Penguins draft goaltender with connection to Fleury
The Penguins added to their goaltending prospect pool in the draft for the first time in three years on Saturday, selecting Gabriel D'Aigle in the third round, 84th overall. It's the highest they've drafted a goaltender since taking Joel Blomqvist at No. 52 and Calle Clang at No. 77 in 2020.
D'Aigle, 18, is from Marc-Andre Fleury's hometown of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. And the two netminders have a relationship, too. They worked with the same goaltending coach, Stephane Menard, and have skated together in the summers:
When D'Aigle was in his early teenage years, he drew comparisons to Fleury in local media -- expectations that proved to be a little too lofty. He's no Fleury, but D'Aigle is still a legitimate goaltending prospect.
D'Aigle, at 6 foot 4 and 212 pounds, was one of the biggest goaltenders of this year's class.He spent last season on a Victoriaville Tigres team that ranked dead-last in the 18-team QMJHL, facing more shots than any other netminder in the league, and his numbers reflect that. He went 16-33-2, responsible for all but one of the Tigres' wins throughout the entire year. He posted an .883 save percentage, a 4.52 goals-against average and one shutout.
The Elite Prospects Draft Guide writes that despite a tough year, D'Aigle is "still an NHL prospect because of his size and athleticism. ... His movement around the crease makes him one of the better goalies in the QMJHL when it comes to picking up pucks through screens. D’Aigle also seals the ice extremely well and does a decent job with his rebounds."
Penguins vice president of player personnel Wes Clark acknowledged that he wasn't able to offer much on D'Aigle's game himself. He said that it was Penguins director of goaltending Jon Elkin who was "really high" on D'Aigle.
"We trust Jon with the goalie evaluations," Clark said.
D'Aigle will be somewhat of a project as a goaltender, and that's just fine Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov are the goalies of the future for the time being. By the time D'Aigle is ready to turn pro and can get regular AHL playing time, both Blomqvist and Murashov could conceivably be in the NHL. D'Aigle will look to be in that next wave of goaltending prospects in the system.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
7:59 pm - 06.28.2025DowntownPenguins draft goaltender with connection to Fleury
The Penguins added to their goaltending prospect pool in the draft for the first time in three years on Saturday, selecting Gabriel D'Aigle in the third round, 84th overall. It's the highest they've drafted a goaltender since taking Joel Blomqvist at No. 52 and Calle Clang at No. 77 in 2020.
D'Aigle, 18, is from Marc-Andre Fleury's hometown of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. And the two netminders have a relationship, too. They worked with the same goaltending coach, Stephane Menard, and have skated together in the summers:
When D'Aigle was in his early teenage years, he drew comparisons to Fleury in local media -- expectations that proved to be a little too lofty. He's no Fleury, but D'Aigle is still a legitimate goaltending prospect.
D'Aigle, at 6 foot 4 and 212 pounds, was one of the biggest goaltenders of this year's class.He spent last season on a Victoriaville Tigres team that ranked dead-last in the 18-team QMJHL, facing more shots than any other netminder in the league, and his numbers reflect that. He went 16-33-2, responsible for all but one of the Tigres' wins throughout the entire year. He posted an .883 save percentage, a 4.52 goals-against average and one shutout.
The Elite Prospects Draft Guide writes that despite a tough year, D'Aigle is "still an NHL prospect because of his size and athleticism. ... His movement around the crease makes him one of the better goalies in the QMJHL when it comes to picking up pucks through screens. D’Aigle also seals the ice extremely well and does a decent job with his rebounds."
Penguins vice president of player personnel Wes Clark acknowledged that he wasn't able to offer much on D'Aigle's game himself. He said that it was Penguins director of goaltending Jon Elkin who was "really high" on D'Aigle.
"We trust Jon with the goalie evaluations," Clark said.
D'Aigle will be somewhat of a project as a goaltender, and that's just fine Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov are the goalies of the future for the time being. By the time D'Aigle is ready to turn pro and can get regular AHL playing time, both Blomqvist and Murashov could conceivably be in the NHL. D'Aigle will look to be in that next wave of goaltending prospects in the system.
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