
The Oshawa Generals haven’t had to worry about not knowing who their guy was in the crease when they needed a big win. A significant reason why the organization has advanced to consecutive OHL Finals is due to the goaltender they have had in the net, Jacob Oster.
Oster was acquired by the team midway through the 2022-23 season from the Guelph Storm. Over the last two seasons, Oster has played 113 regular season games, posted six shutouts, and has a record of 67-33-12. He won the Jim Rutherford Trophy for Goaltender of the Year after the 2023-24 season.
Oster recently announced his commitment to play for the University of Vermont in the NCAA next season, joining fellow OHL players Cedrick Guindon, Zach Filak, P.J. Forgione, and Jonathan Kapageridis.
The Generals lose their number one goalie and now search for either a new starter or a tandem, much like the Saginaw Spirit are having to do.
Saginaw Spirit Sign New No. 1 Goalie From Russia?
When there is an age restriction in a league like the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl">OHL</a>, where players grow too old and become ineligible to return, that can be a tough pill to swallow for organizations. And when that player is your starting goaltender, well, that makes matters even worse.
2007-born Isaac Gravelle was drafted in the second round, 27th overall, by the team in the 2023 OHL Draft. He backed up Oster last season and gained valuable experience for the upcoming season.
Additionally, last month, Oshawa acquired Reid Thomas from the Soo Greyhounds in exchange for a second-round pick and a 15th-round pick.
Add another name to the ring of goaltenders battling it out to seize hold of the crease in Oshawa next season.
The Generals drafted 6-foot-5 goalie Andrei Bondarev out of Russia in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. They snagged him in the second round, 102nd overall, and have signed him to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Bondarev, 17, is entering his NHL draft season and has the desirable size scouts look for in a netminder. He played only nine games in the MHL for Tolpar Ufa last season, recording a 2.61 goals-against-average, and a .899 save percentage with a 6-1 record.
“With Isaac and our recent acquisition, Reid, the crease should be very competitive,” said Oshawa GM Roger Hunt.
(Top photo credit: @GeneralsUpdates via X.com)
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