Ranking The Top Five NCAA Goaltenders

The global women's hockey goaltending talent pool has never been deeper, and that statement holds true in the NCAA. Here's a look at the best netminders heading into the 2023-2024 season.

The depth of netminders has never been greater, with the competition for playing time equally high. With the loss of professional roster spots through the birth of a new professional league, and the acquisition of the PHF, coupled with the extra COVID year, goaltenders are staying in NCAA hockey longer.

Returning to the NCAA next year are multiple national team goalies, and reigning NCAA Goaltender of the Year Gwyneth Philips of Northeastern. Here's a look at the top five netminders heading into the NCAA this season, along with a list of players to watch.

Until someone else claims the crown, top spot is Philips' to lose. After multiple seasons of minimal starts, Philips stole the show last season with Northeastern posting eye popping numbers. In 38 games she had 10 shutouts, a 0.87 GAA, and a .960 save percentage. Shockingly, those numbers were all actually a dip from her career average. Philips has been overlooked by Team USA, but not for lack of talent or ability to steal games. She could easily play games on the international stage for any nation.

The Slovenian goalie was a game changer for Yale last season helping them to a national tournament appearance while posting a 1.42 GAA, .935 save percentage, and 28-4-1 record with eight shutouts. On the international stage she's been the Best Goaltender at multiple World tournaments, and was a Patty Kazmaier nominee. With multiple seasons of eligibility remaining, Dukaric has only skimmed the surface of her potential in the NCAA.

This is where the debate begins, but Vetter takes the spot after stepping into the starting role with Minnesota last season. She twice backstopped Team USA's U-18 World Championship team and in her first season as an NCAA starter posted a 1.82 GAA and .926 save percentage alongside a 27-5-3 record. Her stellar performance earned Vetter an invite to USA's National Summer Festival.

Norway's Ena Nystrøm continues to earn accolades in CHA with Mercyhurst, and she's got one more kick at the can. She is another of a dominant group of international netminders coming through, or graduating from NCAA hockey, and whether she starts her career here or in Europe, Nystrøm is a future pro goalie. She posted a .923 save percentage keeping Mercyhurst in more games than they deserved and stealing five shutouts this year.

Stepping into Colgate, Murphy made an immediate impact posting a 35-5-1 record across her first two seasons. She was called on to participate with Canada's national development team this offseason, a sign that her ability is being recognized beyond her conference. Murphy has a career 1.51 GAA and .931 save percentage as well as nine shutouts. It's all impressive for the five-foot-ten netminder who played most of her NCAA career as a teenager to this point.

Other Goaltenders To Watch: Amanda Thiele, Tia Chan, Hailey MacLeod, Tindra Holm, Amanda Rampado, Taylor Hyland, Sarah Coe, Eve Gascon, Hanna Zukow, Jessie McPherson, Jojo Chobak, Kayle Osborne, Michelle Pasiechnyk