Joel Hofer G STL Sun 11/14/21 1:47 AM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer made 21 saves in a 3-2 loss to Carolina on Saturday night.
EDGE Analysis
The young man didn't play poorly -- it's just hard to win when your mates only score twice. Hofer will be headed back to the AHL once Ville Husso (COVID protocols) is back. That will serve him well -- Hofer needs a year or two in the A to hone his craft.
Joel Hofer G STL Sat 11/13/21 6:14 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer will be between the pipes Saturday in Carolina, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 21-year-old will make his second career start after allowing three goals and earning the win Nov. 4 in San Jose. Hofer will likely vacate the NHL roster once Ville Husso, recently off COVID-19 protocols, is ready to play.
Joel Hofer G STL Fri 11/5/21 1:45 AM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer turned aside 23 of 26 shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Sharks.
EDGE Analysis
The teams combined for seven goals in the first periods, but the Blues maintained their lead from there to earn Hofer his first win. He also picked up an assist on the empty-net goal by Robert Thomas. Hofer's stay on the big club's roster isn't expected to be long -- he'll likely head back to AHL Springfield once Ville Husso clears the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. With no back-to-backs next week, expect Jordan Binnington to receive most of the starts going forward.
Joel Hofer G STL Thu 11/4/21 9:05 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer will protect the road goal Thursday versus the Sharks.
EDGE Analysis
Hofer will be making his NHL debut Thursday. The 21-year-old was selected by the Blues in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, and Ville Husso's absence while in the COVID-19 protocols allows Hofer to make the start in a second half of a back-to-back. The Sharks are currently battling a significant COVID-19 outbreak as well and will be missing seven lineup regulars.
Joel Hofer G STL Sun 10/31/21 1:22 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
The Blues are calling up Hofer from the AHL, Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hofer will serve as Jordan Binnington's backup for however long Ville Husso remains in COVID-19 protocols. His first game action, if he sees any, would be his NHL debut.
Joel Hofer G STL Wed 9/29/21 12:48 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer will tend the twine for Wednesday preseason matchup on the road versus Columbus, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hofer shouldn't be expected to factor into the goalie mix for the Blues this season with Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso locked into their respective roles. Still, it will be a valuable experience for Hofer before he heads back to AHL Springfield for the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
Joel Hofer G STL Fri 5/14/21 11:06 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer was added to the active roster Friday, per CapFriendly.
EDGE Analysis
Hofer will join the Blues' postseason roster as some emergency depth. He owns an .898 save percentage in 10 AHL games this season and has yet to make his NHL debut.
Joel Hofer G STL Wed 5/12/21 10:44 AM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer was called up from AHL Utica on Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Hofer will likely sit on the Blues' taxi squad heading into the postseason and shouldn't be expected to see any action. In 10 games with AHL Utica this year, the 20-year-old netminder went 4-6-0 with a .898 save percentage and 3.33 GAA and will likely spend the bulk of the upcoming 2021-22 campaign in the minors.
Joel Hofer G STL Tue 3/9/21 8:00 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer was assigned to AHL Utica on Tuesday, Jim Thomas of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hofer has been practicing and traveling with the big club over the last two months while on the taxi squad. The Blues want the 20-year-old Hofer to get some game action in the minors. Hofer has built himself into a highly touted prospect after producing a .915 save percentage and a 34-8-5 record over 48 games in the WHL last season, and he was also named the Best Goaltender at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Joel Hofer G STL Tue 1/12/21 8:46 PM
Joel Hofer
G STL
Hofer was assigned to the Blues' taxi squad Tuesday, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
This doesn't necessarily mean that Hofer beat out Jon Gillies, who cleared waivers Tuesday, for the No. 3 goaltender job, but it's encouraging that the Blues trust the 20-year-old enough to fill the role for now. Hofer was outstanding in the WHL last season, posting a .915 save percentage and a 34-8-5 record. His real breakout was at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he was named Best Goaltender after recording a .932 save percentage en route to a gold-medal win. Hofer could have a bright future in the NHL, but he may not get many chances this year behind Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso. In fact, it's unclear how much he'll play at all after AHL Springfield -- the Blues' new minor-league affiliate -- opted out due to COVID-19 concerns. The Blues are now partnering with AHL Utica -- the Canucks' affiliate -- and it's unclear how much playing time Hofer will be afforded with the team.