Hofer makes NHL debut in San Jose

SAN JOSE - With back-to-back games and goalie Ville Husso in the League's COVID-19 protocol, Joel Hofer got his chance to make his NHL debut on Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks.
Hofer made 23 saves on 26 shots in his debut and recorded an assist on an empty-net goal, helping the Blues to a 5-3 win at SAP Center.

The 21-year-old goaltender was a fourth-round draft pick (No. 107 overall) of the Blues in 2018. He has played in four games with the American Hockey League's Springfield Thunderbirds this season, posting a 3-0-1 record with a 1.74 goals-against average and a .936 save-percentage.
In three seasons, Hofer has appeared in just 15 career AHL games.

Prior to turning pro, Hofer helped guide the Western Hockey League's Swift Current Broncos to a championship in 2018, then won all five of his starts at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping Team Canada capture a gold medal. He was named the best goaltender at the World Juniors, posting a 1.60 goals-against average and .939 save-percentage, both of which ranked first in the tournament.
Hofer is wearing No. 1, which was also worn by Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, Mike Liut, Roman Turek and Brian Elliott.