Canucks: Exploring the rise of goalie Jacob Markstrom
Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom has been stellar for the last two seasons. Let’s take a look at his rise to becoming a number one.
Jacob Markstrom has settled in nicely as the Vancouver Canucks‘ top netminder, and he’s one of the NHL’s best at the position.
He was named team MVP in 2018-19 and had the 2019-20 season continued (it could in the summer, but that’s another story), Markstrom would have likely earned the honours again.
Markstrom was once touted as an elite goalie prospect, but he wasn’t able to live up to expectations with the Florida Panthers. Six years ago, he was traded to Vancouver via the Roberto Luongo blockbuster. For a while, it looked like he would never live up to expectations. Over the past two seasons, however, he has become a fortress in the crease.
Let’s take a look back on Markstrom’s career, and how he developed into a wall.
The beginning
The Panthers drafted Markstrom with the 31st overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft.
“We got a guy projected as a franchise elite, No. 1 goalie,” said Scott Luce, the Panthers’ director of amateur scouting after the draft. (Now director of amateur scouting with the Vegas Golden Knights.) “For him to slip to No. 31 is a good day for us. He’s a big, athletic goaltender who’s a real competitor and who was a leader on the national team. That speaks volumes for his character.”
Markstrom was also described by then-GM, Jacques Martin as a “prospect who has the potential to be a No. 1 goalie.”
After the draft, Markstrom went back to Sweden to continue to play for Brynas IF of the SHL. He became the team’s starter and in 2008-09, he won 13 games with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage with three shutouts. He also played at the World Juniors and led Sweden to a silver medal. Brynas made it to the quarterfinals of the Swedish Playoffs, where they were swept by Färjestad.
The next year, Markstrom’s numbers improved with 21 wins, five shutouts, a 2.01 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Brynas made it to the quarterfinals again, only to lose to Djurgården in five games. He also led Sweden to a bronze medal at the World Juniors. In March of 2010, he signed an entry-level deal with the Panthers.
Markstrom in the AHL and NHL
In the 2010-11 season, Markstrom mostly played with the Rochester Americans of the AHL. He struggled in his first AHL season with a 2.98 GAA and a .907 save percentage. Markstrom debuted on Jan. 23, 2011 against the New Jersey Devils where he replaced starter Scott Clemmensen.
More from The Canuck Way
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
The following season, Markstrom appeared in seven games — winning two of them. He played most of the season with the Panthers’ affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.
He started 32 games with the Rampage — winning 17 — while posting a 2.32 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Markstrom recorded his first NHL win on Oct. 22, 2011 against the New York Islanders, stopping all 18 shots he faced.
In the 2012-13 campaign, he won 16 games with the Rampage. Markstrom wound up playing in 23 games for the Panthers, posting a record of 8-14-1 with a 3.22 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
The 2013-14 season was ultimately Markstrom’s last with the Panthers. On March 4th, 2014, (the day before my 14th birthday!) he was traded along with Shawn Matthias to the Canucks in exchange for Luongo and Steven Anthony. He was the backup for Eddie Lack and played four games, winning one of them.
After clearing waivers at the start of the 2014-15 season, Markstrom became the starter for the Utica Comets. There, he had his best season in the AHL — winning 22 games to go along with a 1.88 goals against and a .934 save percentage. Markstrom was named an AHL All-Star, and he led the team to the Calder Cup Final — where they lost to the Manchester Monarchs in five games.
For the next two seasons, Markstrom was the backup for Ryan Miller, and in the 2017-18 season, he split the duties with Anders Nilsson. Markstrom has since posted average numbers during his three full seasons with the Canucks.
Many fans doubted his ability to become a starter, and there was no shortage of criticism on Twitter. Things started to change for Markstrom beginning in 2018-19. But how?
Enter Ian Clark
If there is one man who can be credited for Markstrom’s rise, it’s Ian Clark.
For those who don’t know, Clark with the Panthers as a consultant in the 2001-02 season. The Vancouver native was also a coach for the Canucks from 2002 to 2010.
From 2003-2006, he was also the goaltending coach for Canada at the World Juniors. Clark later served as the goaltending coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets from the 2011-12 season to 2017-18, before once again returning home to Vancouver. He has coached and mentored the likes of Luongo and two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky.
Clark believes the goaltender is the most important position in hockey and is willing to push goaltenders to be better.
“Number one, goaltending is the most individualized coaching position within the game of hockey,” Clark said at Blue Jackets development camp in 2013.
In his final article for The Athletic, (subscription not required for this one.) the late, great, Jason Botchford walked us in on how Clark motivated Markstrom to get better. Clark would show up to the goalie sessions fired up, and Markstrom used that passion for working harder.
One day, after letting in five goals against the Anaheim Ducks, Clark wasn’t pleased with Markstrom, because he let his foot come off the gas pedal after performing so well. He asked Markstrom if he was going to let up or sprint to the finish. With those words, Markstrom helped the Canucks win 3-2 in a shootout against the Dallas Stars with 38 saves.
Clark has not only changed Markstrom’s play in the crease, but also his work ethic and training. Thanks to Clark, Markstrom is tracking the puck better and using his large frame more effectively while also improving his ability to make saves with his glove.
Markstrom is making key saves, bailing the Canucks out when needed and helping them win the necessary games to stay in the playoff race.
Canucks: What would be a fair contract for Troy Stecher?. dark. Next
Clark helped Markstrom go from a goalie prospect who failed to live up to expectations to an All-Star, as well as one of the league’s best. Now, the Canucks need to find a way to extend Markstrom in the offseason.