In the crease, Canadian Nicolas Daws is the top ranked North American goaltender currently playing with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. Daws was passed over in the 2019 Entry Draft and enters his second year of eligibility in 2020.
An extra year of seasoning and commitment to his craft has put Daws at top billing in North America. After not landing with an NHL team in 2019, Daws aggressively worked to improve himself as an athlete, changing off-ice habits leading to a 30-pound weight loss.
"He's kind of hard to score on, I can't really find anything when I'm out there, Byfield told NHL.com, of Daws. "He plays pretty big, he's quick laterally, and I think he has a lot of confidence right now. He's spectacular, the backbone of that team."
This past season he played a career high 38 games for Guelph posting a career 2.48 goals against average and .924 save percentage. In his first year as the Storm's starting goaltender, Daws went 23-8-6. His 6'4 frame is a desirable one for NHL teams, especially as Daws has been recognized as a more athletic goaltender, able to take away the top of the net with his glove, while also defending with his quick legs from side to side and a positionally sound goaltender.
His strong play with Guelph this season led to a role with Team Canada at the World Juniors. Daws suited up for two games, while serving in a backup role to St. Louis Blues prospect Joel Hofer. Canada won gold.
