‘Next man up’ is a cliché used often in sports, but for Chicago Wolves goaltender Jordan Binnington being next on the depth chart has given him a chance to keep the Wolves in the AHL playoff hunt.
The 21-year old Ontario native has posted an 18-11-3 record this season, with majority of the decisions coming in the past two months. Binnington has started a franchise-record 15 consecutive games in net for Chicago.
That is an unusually long stretch of playing time for most netminders, let alone a rookie in his first full season of professional hockey. Still, the workload was never too much of a burden to bear for Binnington. “I think sometimes less is more,” said Binnington. “In this situation where it has been consistent game play, I think you have to take time to rest when it’s given and at the same time, you have to keep up to par and stay in shape. Y’know, be ready for your opportunity.”
Veteran netminder Matt Climie hasn’t played since January 16 due to injury. Climie is due back in the near future as he continues to rehab. Jordan took appreciated and took advantage of having Climie around to adjust to playing more. “He’s [Climie] has been great,” said Binnington. “It’s unfortunate that he went down with the injury, but he’s pretty much back to being healthy and he’s been great the whole time, encouraging me and things have gone pretty well.”
This is Binnington’s first full season with the Wolves. Prior to the 2014-15 season, Jordan had played in two career AHL games spanning three seasons. His first AHL start came during the 2011-12 season with the Peoria Rivermen.
Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson has had to rely heavily on Jordan Binnington, but has done so with confidence.
The St. Louis Blues organization has shown a recent ability to draft goalie prospects and help them progress toward the NHL. Recent notable goalies that have had sustained success for the Blues or are from their pipeline include Jake Allen, Ben Bishop and Reto Berra.
Before Binnington was in the AHL, he played his junior hockey for the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. He was named the 2012-13 OHL Goaltender of the Year. He beat well-known netminders John Gibson and Malcolm Subban for top honors that season.
Owen Sound won the OHL Championship in 2011 and played in the 2011 Memorial Cup. Owen Sound won a single match, but Binnington was named the top goalie of the tournament. He allowed five goals on 98 shots in four contests.
The future for Jordan Binnington appears bright, and if his past success and recent exposure to professional hockey are indicative of his future, a reunion with Jake Allen in St. Louis could be coming in the next year or so.
Jeff is a production assistant @120Sports and contributor to The Sports Bank. He also is a freelance writer and hockey contributor to @numberFire. Follow him on Twitter @skcih_ffej.