Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2020 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we look at Calle Clang.
Swedish goaltender Calle Clang has been playing in the Rogle BK system. Playing for the Under-20 team in the SuperElit, he put up a 2.64 goals-against-average and .913 save percentage. He also played three games in the J18 Elit with a 2.75 goals-against-average and .897 save percentage. Clang played two games for Sweden at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, putting up a 1.50 goals-against-average and .953 save percentage, helping the team to a bronze medal. Overall, Clang played four games for the National Under-18 Team with a 2.00 goals-against-average and .939 save percentage. Clang has progressed past junior-level hockey and has been loaned to Kristianstads IK in the Allsvenskan for the 2020-21 season.
Last season, he put up a 2.83 goals-against-average and .907 save percentage in 24 games in the SuperElit. He struggled in the playoffs though with a 4.58 goals-against-average and .866 save percentage. Clang played three games in the J18 with a 3.05 goals-against-average and .907 save percentage. In three playoff games, he had a 2.67 goals-against-average and .884 save percentage. Clang was the backup goalie, playing one game as Sweden won a bronze medal at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. He was also on the roster at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships as Sweden won the tournament.
Calle Clang Scouting Report
Goaltender — shoots Left — catches Left
Born May 20th, 2002 — Olofstrom, Sweden
Height 6’2″ — Weight 176 lbs [188 cm/80 kg]
Skating and Talent Analysis
Clang is 6-foot-2 and takes full advantage of that size. He gets well out of the net, cutting down angles and challenging shooters. With his strong, powerful legs he is able to get back quickly if an attacker drives the net and tries to beat him with a deke. Those powerful legs also allow Clang to get from post to post quickly. However, he can overslide at times, taking himself out of position. He doesn’t quit though, using his athleticism and fighting to get back. Clang tracks the puck well and anticipates plays well, allowing him to track the puck effectively and stay square to the shooter on most occasions.
Clang gets down in the butterfly quickly and also pops back up effectively. His strong legs take away the bottom of the net as he is very difficult to beat down low. He closes his five-hole quickly. Meanwhile, his quick glove hand is effective at taking away the top of the net. Clang keeps his upper body straight up even when down in the butterfly, reducing the area up in the top of the net. He fights to find the puck through traffic, competing well when screened. Like many young goalies, Clang will need to work on his rebound control. He often kicks pucks out in front of the net instead of getting them safely into the corners. Clang’s high compete level and his athleticism help him to recover and he can often make a big save even with those rebounds going out. He quickly gets square to the second shot.
Puck Handling
Clang is also a good puck handler. His strong skating allows him to get out of his crease to intercept dump-ins and act as a third defenceman, making a strong pass to his teammates to start the rush. He can also make a long breakaway pass to an open teammate if he catches the opposition on a line change.
Mental Makeup
Clang is consistent in the net. He doesn’t let a bad goal get to him and bounces back, ready to make the next save before the puck is dropped at centre ice. He was often peppered with shots while playing behind a weak Rogle BK U20 defence but stood tall despite that. Clang does not let the pressure get to him, instead, he acts as a leader for that his defence can lean on. Clang is quick to look for a stoppage if his team is in trouble as well as to move the puck if they have the opportunity to launch a counterattack.
Projection and Comparison
Clang could develop into a top-level goaltender if things go well for him. As mentioned, he will get his chance to face men in the Allsvenskan, taking harder shots, and more traffic in and around the net. His technique could use some refinements to stay in position when moving side-to-side and to improve his rebound control. He will also need to add some muscle to his frame to handle playing against men. Clang’s style is reminiscent of Marty Turco. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and potential.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Calle Clang that are available on youtube and twitter.
Calle Clang just made two big stops here as Russia is showing pressure. He's having a good start to the second period. #WorldU17 pic.twitter.com/kxcLtppCQB
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) November 6, 2018
Calle Clang is my 2nd ranked netminder in this #2020NHLDraft class. His Marty Turco-like shootout stance isn't hurting matters. https://t.co/NioqcUStad pic.twitter.com/3woRk95dsf
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) May 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/JokkeNevalainen/status/1225798733251649542
https://twitter.com/JokkeNevalainen/status/1160231378358812672
https://twitter.com/JokkeNevalainen/status/1160237838048403458
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Calle Clang Main Photo:
2 of the 3 kinds of water in this pic: liquid and (Bauer) Vapor. Just missing the ice. #GetIt? #TryingTooHardToBeClever ?: Calle Clang pic.twitter.com/mtzjyCR7Y2
— Goalie Gear Nerd (@GoalieGearNerd) July 22, 2017
