Most times when a young boy is selected in the QMJHL draft, they don’t usually see a lot of ice time as a rookie, especially as a goaltender. That certainly wasn’t the case for young netminder Zach Fucale. Selected 11th overall in 2011 QMJHL entry draft by the Halifax Mooseheads, they wasted no time and turned to Fucale right off the hop to lead the way. This was a very risky and bold move to throw a 16 year old between the pipes, however, it was a move that paid off, and then some.
Fucale opened his junior career with a record breaking season, as he set the QMJHL record for most wins by a rookie with 32. This was an impressive start, and while finding himself added to the QMJHL all-rookie team, and winning the Raymond Legece Trophy for defensive rookie of the year, he went on and had an even better season the following year. While racking up another 45 wins with just 5 regulation losses, Fucale had yet to turn 18 years old while sitting at 77 wins. I think it was safe to say he had more records to break along the rest of the way. He managed to help the Moose into an impressive playoff run, while only losing one game throughout the whole playoff race. Fucale and his teammates went on to win their first Memorial Cup championship in Mooseheads history.
Fast forward to the NHL draft, he was ranked the #1 goaltender in the draft, but were teams willing to use their #1 pick on a goalie? The answer, was no. When the 2nd round started, it was a matter of time before it was Fucales’ turn to walk up to the podium, and what better way to do that but to walk up to the team he idolized as a kid, the Montreal Canadiens. Taken 36th overall, Fucale was and still is a future project for the Canadiens, as they are comfortably set with Carey Price and Dustin Tokarski, both whom are still in their 20’s.
Fucale managed to continue racking up the wins, and found himself yet again breaking a record. He reached the 100 win plateau and did so as the fastest goaltender to win 100 games as it only took him 145 games to do so, as the previous record was held by Jacques Cloutier in 150 games. But Fucale isn’t stopping there. Now with 119 career wins, he is just 24 wins away from the record that is held yet again by Jacques Cloutier, with 142.
Fucale has had his struggles over the course of the year, and while only landing 6 wins thus far with the Mooseheads, he is excellent trade bait for a contending team in the Q. The Mooseheads have been on the decline since losing NHL talent Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, but that won’t stop Fucale from posting his name into the record books.
Watch for Fucale to find a new home for yet another playoff push, and if given the chance early enough, notching those 24 wins shouldn’t come to any surprise.
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