There's only been one player to wear #73
Jet Greaves was first eligible to be drafted into the NHL in 2019, but he would go undrafted. The kid from Cambridge, Ontario spent the next few years playing for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. With the league not playing in 20-21, and Greaves turning 20 years old, he decided to turn pro.
Greaves would sign a pro contract with the Cleveland Monsters in 2021. In October of that year, he would make his pro debut, make 40 saves and beat the Belleville Senators.
In the 2021-22 season, Greaves would split his time playing for Cleveland in the AHL and Kalamazoo of the ECHL. He went on to play in 29 games for the Monsters, going 12-12-3 with a GAA of 2.84 and a save % of .905. Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, he played in 15 games going 10-5 with a GAA of 3.05 and a save % .907. Mid-way through the season, he had played well enough that the Jackets rewarded Greaves with a 3-year entry-level contract. At that point and time, Greaves was not considered a top prospect in the CBJ organization, so to earn that contract was pretty cool to see.
During the 2022-23 season, Greaves was expected to play back-up to Daniil Tarasov. The plans were that Tarasov would play 55-60 games in the AHL to get himself ready to take on a bigger role with Columbus. However, due to injuries in Columbus with Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo, Tarasov only was able to play in 11 games for Cleveland. Tarasov himself was injured often and only played in 17 NHL games. The goalie situation was a complete disaster up and down the organization. That being said, Greaves played in 43 games for Cleveland, going 19-16-5. He had a GAA of 3.08 and a save % of .899. Some people will say that's not good, but for a 22-year-old with hardly any pro experience, he did well. So well that he earned a call-up and was able to start against his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs on April 4th, 2023. He would lose 4-2 but would make 46 saves on 49 shots.
Merzlikins and Tarasov are expected to be in Columbus next season. That means Jet Greaves is going to get another season with lots of starts. Greaves is starting to gain favor amongst fans and the organization with his play. And if he can have another good season, he may end up in the NHL after all, not bad for someone who went undrafted. Pavel Cajan is expected to join Greaves in Cleveland, and he is young as well, turning 21 right around the start of the season.
The CBJ still should add another goalie in Cleveland for the upcoming season. They seem to be without an ECHL affiliate so they'll need to get a little creative. But it seems like it'll be the Jet Greaves show for the 22-23 season, and I think fans are excited to hear that. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite because of his work ethic and drive.
The Monsters will be putting a roster on the ice that could contend for a Calder Cup, and Greaves needs to be a big part of it. If Cleveland can stay healthy, they have a real shot. Make the drive up to Cleveland this year and watch these kids, it should be fun.