Ed Belfour’s absence during the first week of training camp appeared to be a big break for backup goalie Jeff Hackett, but rookie Christian Soucy could be the real beneficiary.
Soucy brought the crowd to its feet with several outstanding saves in the final period of Friday night’s 2-1 loss to St.Louis. This after Hackett gave up two first-period goals on only six shots-not exactly the way to impress coach Darryl Sutter.
Sutter did absolve Hackett of blame, saying, “He’s a veteran and you expect him to play well, and he did.”
While he wouldn’t say that Soucy has projected himself into the running for the backup job, he said: “All I can say now is that young Soucy’s been the best goalie in camp. All those kids want is an opportunity.”
That’s what Hackett wanted, too.
“This is a heck of an opportunity for him,” Sutter said before the game. “Hack’s similar to three or four guys who didn’t have good stats last year. He wasn’t happy with the amount of time he had and the way he played, and neither were we.”
Sutter seemed understanding of Hackett’s plight.
“This is probably the first time in his career he’s definitely a No. 2 goalie,” Sutter said. “Before, it probably was all on how he played. He was always on the edge. We’d have liked to have played him more if he’d played better. He just never could get on a roll.”
“You don’t like to complain,” said Hackett, “but it is a tough job when you play behind one of the best goalies in the league. It’s tough to get a rhythm going when you get in every 10 games.
“I still don’t want to classify myself as a No. 2 goalie. That’s not fair to any goalie in the league. There are two goalies on a team, and all you can do is control your own ice time. You can’t control when you’re told to go in.”
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At long last: Bob Probert’s wife, Dani, finally delivered their first child late Thursday night, a 10 1/2-pound girl. That clears the way for Probert to begin his drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment in Van Nuys, Calif. The earliest Probert would be able to return to the Hawks would be mid-October.
Goalies go: With Belfour’s return, the Hawks have sent goaltenders Chris Rogles and Joe Bonvie to Indianapolis. Belfour, Hackett and Soucy are the only remaining goaltenders.
Sutter was intrigued with Bonvie early in training camp. “I like the big college kid, even though he’s older than the other kids,” he said. “I like big goalies.” Bonvie is 6 foot 3 inches, 200 pounds.
Just watching: Among the Hawks who did not dress were defensemen Eric Weinrich and Steve Smith and forwards Brent and Rich Sutter, Paul Ysebaert and Dirk Graham.