Detroit Red Wings 2023 sixth-round selection goalie Rudy Guimond is no longer committed to Yale University, per Mark Divver of NHL.com.
The Moncton Wildcats, Guimond’s QMJHL team, also announced his return. Moncton won the Q’s championship this season and will now have their star goalie back in the fold. The 20-year-old Guimond started last season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, but struggled mightily, going 1-5 with an .887 save percentage. He then joined the Moncton Wildcats, where he turned the tide entirely, finishing the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record and a .940 save percentage. Carrying that momentum into the playoffs, he posted an 8-1 record, leading the team to their third championship.
Moncton’s general manager and director of hockey operations Taylor MacDougall said, “We are thrilled Rudy has chosen to return to Moncton. He was an integral part of our group’s success last season and now he has the opportunity to establish himself as one of the most impactful goaltenders in the CHL. Rudy has showcased elite composure and consistency. His decision to return to Moncton speaks to his trust in the process and desire to continue to improve under our goaltending coach, Antoine Samuel.”
Guimond’s tenure with the Wildcats wasn’t merely impressive—it was historic. He secured victories in his first 24 starts, setting a new league record, before experiencing his first defeat in Game 4 of the QMJHL Final against Rimouski. The 20-year-old is listed at 6’3, the type of size coveted by NHL teams. He sits as one of the Red Wings’ top goaltending prospects, joining the likes of Sebastian Cossa, Michigan State University’s Trey Augustine, and Michal Postava, who recently signed a two-year, entry-level contract after playing for HC Kometa Brno of Czechia’s highest league.
Wings strongest prospect position is in goal!
I would have a hard time passing on a “free-ish” degree from Yale.
My oh my, how the goal tending times have changed for Detroit. Yet there is no guarantee that any prospects will be effective at the NHL level. We can only hope that one or two of these pan out for the Wings in the near future. Meantime, there are holes in both defense and offense that need to be fixed quick before Talbot and Mrazek’s clocks run out.