Jared Coreau posted impressive numbers in his third season of professional hockey. The former Northern Michigan netminder was a part of a great tandem for the Griffins along with Tom McCollum. McCollum has since signed a deal with the Los Angeles Kings and Coreau re-signed in July with Detroit for the next 2 seasons.
Vitals
Position: Goaltender
Catch: Left
Born: Nov. 5th 1991
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 235
Coreau’s first full season in the American Hockey League resulted in top ten numbers in GAA and SV%. He also earned goaltender of the month in the AHL for December.
The most noticeable part of his game is his size. He follows the new mold of goaltenders who range anywhere from 6’3” to 6’7”. It is actually unclear how tall Coreau is as the Red Wings list him at 6’4”, the Griffins list him at 6’5” and other websites like HockeyDB have him at 6’6”. Regardless, Coreau fills up the net and does a good job at maximizing his size by consistently challenging shooters with his positioning at the top of the crease.
The days are gone when a goalie of Coreau’s size could strap on the biggest leg pads and chest protectors and sit back in the crease and soak up shots like a Jean-Sebastian Giguere. Tight restrictions on the size of goalie equipment and forwards who are equipped with basically carbon rocket launchers mean that even the biggest goalies need to be incredible athletes. Coreau’s athleticism is not as obvious as his size, but he shows it with his quick cross crease movements and his ability to battle through screens and deflections.
Coreau’s game still needs some refinement and that is to be expected with someone who only has 105 games at a professional level. He has a tendency to leave part of his 5 hole unsealed when he butterfly slides laterally and can look off-balance when making those types of movements. Playing goalie involves constant adjustments and refinements to one’s game. And the person who would know him best, Jeff Salajko, who was promoted from goaltending coach in Grand Rapids to that same position in Detroit in the off-season, said that he has “no doubt” Coreau will be an NHL goalie. With such positive numbers in the AHL and support from the Red Wings coaching staff, it seems that Coreau is part of the future for the Red Wings.
Although some young goalies have been bucking the trend, it is often in the mid 20’s when a goalie prospect comes to maturity and establishes their game. Coreau is reaching that point of his professional career and will be able to continue his growth in the upcoming season with the Griffins. The Red Wings have also favored taking it slow with goalie prospects so it does not seem that Coreau will be rushed to the NHL. He will be in line for a majority of the playing time in Grand Rapids, but Coreau will have some competition in net from 25 year old AHL veteran Eddie Pasquale, who signed a one year deal in the offseason.
Coreau appears to be a few years out from being a regular for the Red Wings and would only get on the ice in Detroit if Jimmy Howard or Petr Mrazek suffers from an injury or is traded. So do not look for any immediate contributions, but with some continued development in the minors the Red Wings could have found a gem in the undrafted free agent Coreau.
Oh, and it is always a plus when a Detroit goalie knows how to win fights. (Coreau #33 in black)
Video credit: Meghanlin – Youtube
