The Players: Roster & Profiles – Depth Chart – Stats
Position: G
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190
Birth Date: 1/9/1978
Birth Country: Canada (Chandler, Que)
Year Drafted: 1996
Round Drafted: 2
Overall Choice: 44
Salary 2003/04: $1,000,000.00
HW 2004 Mid-Season Scouting Report
He’s had little time in game situations this year, however for those who have watched him closely, you may have noticed some serious improvement in his game since the season started. If you have game tape from early on, watch closely as his lateral movements take him too far on a routine basis. Now when he slides, he stays in position and doesn’t have to scramble back to make a save. It’s a small thing, but it’s key for a butterfly goalie to be positionally sound.
All he needs now is more game time so he can refine his rebound control (you can’t do that effectively in practice as the slightly lower tempo can never recreate what happens in game situations). That said, I don’t think you’ll see him getting all that much before the end of the season short of an injury to Theo or a guarantee, one way or the other, about the playoff picture.
His largest problem is his lack of concentration in games. If this is due to desire or confidence or intensity I can’t say, but it’s something he needs to address before he takes on any number one role. He’s got the talent to, quite honestly, be better than Theo (Jeff Hackett maintains Garon has the best legs in hockey) but he’s got to develop a little of that swagger and confidence in order to back up the natural talent.
Having said all that, Garon makes for the perfect back-up, and if Theo’s not careful, an aspiring starter with large potential. If he gets the game time necessary, watch out. You could see a blockbuster with Theo and his paycheck being bundled off to regions unknown (okay, not Boston).
Mathieu Garon was drafted 44th overall in the 1996 Entry Draft by the Montréal Canadiens. On October 6, 2000, he made his NHL debut against the Devils. On November 23, he recorded his first shutouts in a 6-0 victory over the Thrashers. Mathieu played 11 games that season and went 4-5-1 with two shutouts.