Chris Nell
Last year's backup, Nell had a back and forth camp. At times, he looked ready to take the reigns of the starter's job, and at others showed the same weaknesses as last season (read: 5 hole). If he can fix those flaws, there's no reason he can't be a bona fide starter in this league. Of course, he'll need help from an extremely inexperienced defensive corps (65 total USHL games played, 2 goals, 5 assists, -14 combined). Appears to have added an inch or two in height. Will have to be a veteran leader on a very young, inexperienced team.
Cale Morris
An undrafted invitee to camp, Morris ran away from the pack to grab the backup job. Giving up one goal in four games of full camp, Morris forced his way onto the All-Star game roster, joining Nell, Finnish goalie Antti Karjalainen, and '97 Bailey Seagraves (who I'll talk about shortly). Morris gave up one goal during the two all-star games. Morris was very quick, calm, and collected all camp, very much looking the part of a USHL goaltender, albeit against unproven competition. If Nell falters, Morris could steal the starting job away from him without much surprise.
Bailey Seagraves
Though he didn't make the team, Seagraves was the third best goalie in camp, and would appear to be the leading candidate for a 3rd goalie, when or if the need arises. The Phase I 5th rounder for Chicago, Seagraves also forced his way onto the all-star roster, beating out the likes of fellow Phase II pick Kevin Gollmer, former Futures Draft pick Kam Limburg, and '93 Gabe Grunwald. Had it not been for Cale Morris trying to prove the other 15 USHL teams wrong for not giving him a roster spot, Seagraves would have likely won the backup job. Big, quick, and with good anticipation, Seagraves should find his way onto a USHL roster at some point. There's too much talent there for him not to.
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