Denver Post Photo
Recently-graduated DU senior hockey goalie Tanner Jaillet is finally going to get his shot at professional hockey in Europe, as he has reportedly signed a tryout deal with German Elite League (DEL)’s Wolfsburg Grizzlies. The Grizzlies, who lost in last year’s German quarterfinals, recently lost their top netminder, Felix Bruckmann, to season-ending pelvic surgery. Jailett, an undrafted free agent, had hoped for NHL contract interest following his senior season, but the 5-10 goalie remained unsigned.
Jaillet, 24, had a long list of awards over his final two seasons as an NCAA goaltender, including all-NCHC, NCAA all-American and the 2017 Mike Richter Award winner as the top collegiate goaltender in America, when he led DU to the NCAA title. He finished his four-year DU career with an 82-27-16 record with a 2.04 GAA and a .925 career saves percentage. He leaves DU among the top DU goalies of all-time, sharing the all-time wins record with Ron Grahame (82) and remains in the career top five in a number of other statistical categories.
Jaillet will join former Pioneer defenseman William Wrenn on the Grizzlies, and will arrive in Germany on Monday, Aug. 13.
Confirmations:
http://www.grizzlys.de/news_897.html
http://www.hockeyweb.de/del/grizzlys-wolfsburg-holen-torhueter-tanner-jaillet-93956
very, very happy for him. He can make a ton more money than I ever will playing in Europe, even if he never makes it back to the NHL. I hope he enjoys every minute, Go Tanner.
very, very happy for him. He can make a ton more money than I ever will playing in Europe, even if he never makes it back to the NHL. I hope he enjoys every minute, Go Tanner.
Class individual and a steal for Wolfsburg. I am stunned that he did not get more US/CAN interest. I know his height was an issue but he can play. He gave the Pios some GREAT years. I’m hoping he tears it up.
It’s about time! Hope he makes it big!
Class individual and a steal for Wolfsburg. I am stunned that he did not get more US/CAN interest. I know his height was an issue but he can play. He gave the Pios some GREAT years. I’m hoping he tears it up.
It’s about time! Hope he makes it big!
If I remember correctly, Tanner didn’t exactly wow Pioneer Nation when he arrived. Four years later, he’s considered one of the best to ever play at DU. Good luck Tanner. Tear ’em up!!!!
That’s a good point, Dess. Four years ago, Evan Cowley was going to be the expected DU starter. Cowley was a Gwozdecky recruit, NHL-drafted and a big local kid, which excited the local fans.
Tanner was Monty’s first goalie recruit, small and undrafted and most fans here expected him to be the backup to Cowley. But eventually, Tanner took over the starting position over Cowley, and while Evan remained the perfect public gentleman about the switch for the rest of his DU career, the reality was there were two great DU goalies and only one net. Tanner has been overlooked his whole career due to his size and he used that chip on his shoulder to make himself a better goalie and better teammate. He was the 2017 Richter Winner, had the 82 career DU wins (tied for most ever), grew the wonderful full beard that made him look like a 35-year-old, and of course, his famous f-bomb on ESPN after backstopping DU to an NCAA title will ensure his legend at Denver.
I hope he has a great pro career, and we will always be proud of him here in Pioneer land…
If I remember correctly, Tanner didn’t exactly wow Pioneer Nation when he arrived. Four years later, he’s considered one of the best to ever play at DU. Good luck Tanner. Tear ’em up!!!!
That’s a good point, Dess. Four years ago, Evan Cowley was going to be the expected DU starter. Cowley was a Gwozdecky recruit, NHL-drafted and a big local kid, which excited the local fans.
Tanner was Monty’s first goalie recruit, small and undrafted and most fans here expected him to be the backup to Cowley. But eventually, Tanner took over the starting position over Cowley, and while Evan remained the perfect public gentleman about the switch for the rest of his DU career, the reality was there were two great DU goalies and only one net. Tanner has been overlooked his whole career due to his size and he used that chip on his shoulder to make himself a better goalie and better teammate. He was the 2017 Richter Winner, had the 82 career DU wins (tied for most ever), grew the wonderful full beard that made him look like a 35-year-old, and of course, his famous f-bomb on ESPN after backstopping DU to an NCAA title will ensure his legend at Denver.
I hope he has a great pro career, and we will always be proud of him here in Pioneer land…
Good luck Tanner. He was awesome while he was here and I hope he’s even better as a pro. I can certainly think of far worse things to do than play pro hockey in Germany.
On another note, what’s the backstory on Rasmussen leaving and going back to the USHL?
I am speculating here, but the backstory on Rasmussen is most likely the same backstory that motivates 90% of transfers in college sports – the student-athlete’s unhappiness with playing time or playing role – that feeling that if they could just go somewhere else with a better slot on the depth chart, things will be better for their playing careers.
Honestly, Rasmussen was not very impressive in the limited action he saw last year in Denver. With the leading goaltender in the USHL (A drafted Filip Larsson) coming to DU this season, Ras most likely believed (or perhaps was told by the DU coaches) he’d likely be a backup again at DU. Given this reality, he decided to go back to the USHL, where he’d get a ton of game action and eventually prove himself to another school. I totally understand his decision – all these guys want to play, but DU is a tough roster to crack…He probably had expected to be drafted (and wasn’t) and now he sees the clock ticking away on his hockey career. Goalies really do develop better with more games (unlike many position players where practice and weight room time is more critical at this point in their development). He’ll probably get 45-55 starts in the USHL next season…
Good luck Tanner. He was awesome while he was here and I hope he’s even better as a pro. I can certainly think of far worse things to do than play pro hockey in Germany.
On another note, what’s the backstory on Rasmussen leaving and going back to the USHL?
I am speculating here, but the backstory on Rasmussen is most likely the same backstory that motivates 90% of transfers in college sports – the student-athlete’s unhappiness with playing time or playing role – that feeling that if they could just go somewhere else with a better slot on the depth chart, things will be better for their playing careers.
Honestly, Rasmussen was not very impressive in the limited action he saw last year in Denver. With the leading goaltender in the USHL (A drafted Filip Larsson) coming to DU this season, Ras most likely believed (or perhaps was told by the DU coaches) he’d likely be a backup again at DU. Given this reality, he decided to go back to the USHL, where he’d get a ton of game action and eventually prove himself to another school. I totally understand his decision – all these guys want to play, but DU is a tough roster to crack…He probably had expected to be drafted (and wasn’t) and now he sees the clock ticking away on his hockey career. Goalies really do develop better with more games (unlike many position players where practice and weight room time is more critical at this point in their development). He’ll probably get 45-55 starts in the USHL next season…
Huh?? Cowley was a Monty recruit. Initial contact had been made by Gwoz, but after Olkinoura “leaving” early, DU needed a goalie and Cowley committed for the next season.
Jaillet got whiplash and a concussion like 3 minutes into his first DU game…he was always slated to be ahead of Cowley.
I can not agree, at all, with some of the above commentary…
Chris:
I think we’re closer than you think. Let’s walk through the timeline…
-Gwoz was fired on April 1, 2013
-Okinoura signed with Winnipeg and left DU early on April 3, 2013, opening the door for Cowley.
-Montgomery was hired by DU on April 15, 2013
-Cowley signed at DU on June 23, 2013
Cowley was in Gwoz’ (and DU’s) pipeline for a while before signing officially, after a strong season at Wichita Falls, which resulted with Cowley jumping up to a fourth round pick in the NHL draft that June. Monty simply pulled the trigger out of convenience when he needed a goalie that June, but I am pretty sure that if you asked Evan if he was a Monty recruit or a Gwoz recruit, he’d say Gwoz (and his coaching staff) set the table with the heavy lifting and Monty just signed him when Olki left DU.
As a drafted goalie, a local kid and Monty’s first signing, it’s fair to say that the fan’s expectations were higher for Cowley to be the starter, although, as you said, Jaillet was really a 100% Monty recruit (and not ever Gwoz’ guy) so it makes sense that Monty would favor Jaillet over Cowley.
Huh?? Cowley was a Monty recruit. Initial contact had been made by Gwoz, but after Olkinoura “leaving” early, DU needed a goalie and Cowley committed for the next season.
Jaillet got whiplash and a concussion like 3 minutes into his first DU game…he was always slated to be ahead of Cowley.
I can not agree, at all, with some of the above commentary…
Chris:
I think we’re closer than you think. Let’s walk through the timeline…
-Gwoz was fired on April 1, 2013
-Okinoura signed with Winnipeg and left DU early on April 3, 2013, opening the door for Cowley.
-Montgomery was hired by DU on April 15, 2013
-Cowley signed at DU on June 23, 2013
Cowley was in Gwoz’ (and DU’s) pipeline for a while before signing officially, after a strong season at Wichita Falls, which resulted with Cowley jumping up to a fourth round pick in the NHL draft that June. Monty simply pulled the trigger out of convenience when he needed a goalie that June, but I am pretty sure that if you asked Evan if he was a Monty recruit or a Gwoz recruit, he’d say Gwoz (and his coaching staff) set the table with the heavy lifting and Monty just signed him when Olki left DU.
As a drafted goalie, a local kid and Monty’s first signing, it’s fair to say that the fan’s expectations were higher for Cowley to be the starter, although, as you said, Jaillet was really a 100% Monty recruit (and not ever Gwoz’ guy) so it makes sense that Monty would favor Jaillet over Cowley.