Devin Green arrived in Thunder Bay almost by accident.
Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey coach Bill McDonald was actually scouting another goaltender, 6-foot-7 Troy Trombley, a veteran of a couple of seasons in the Western Hockey League who was posting solid numbers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
McDonald said he began talking to the coach of the Lloydminster Bobcats, whose team was facing Trombley in a postseason series.
A few phone calls later, the conversation started to shift.
“He said, ‘Coach Mac, you’ve been asking about Trombley, what about my kid?’ I really didn’t know much about him and I started digging into Devin. I asked his coaches and sure and behold, we ended up bringing him here – still not having seen him play.”
Green arrived and jumped straight into a crowded goaltending situation with the Thunderwolves. Fifth-year veteran Jeff Bosch was the presumptive starter, but concussion concerns forced McDonald’s hand. The team was going to carry a third goaltender.
Third-year netminder Justin McDonald was also in the mix, but after an encouraging rookie season when he was forced to carry the load after Bosch went down, he struggled in Year 2.
Bill McDonald, the veteran coach that he was, wanted insurance.
Instead he found a starter, a potential No. 1 goalie moving forward.
“That’s not to say if somebody falls out of the tree that’s really good we wouldn’t take him. But obviously he’s proven himself,” McDonald said. “If we had to start next week, he’d be the guy.”
Green showed he was more than ready for the OUA grind in his rookie season, posting a 7-10-0 record and a 3.61 goals against average on a team that didn’t find its legs until the second half and missed the playoffs for the first time in Thunderwolves hockey history.
Green, named the team’s athlete of the month for February, said he had no idea what to expect before landing at Lakehead.
“I had talked with the coach early before camp and he said it was kind of an open net and to come in. Every day I kind of battled and at the end of the season it kind of paid off,” he said.
There was no animosity amongst the goaltending fraternity, Green added.
“Both guys were very welcoming, whether it was on the ice or in the dressing room. That friendly competition, it just kind of pushes everyone to raise the bar for each other and kind of makes it fun for each other.”
Heading into his second season, he’s not changing his mindset, even though it appears the No. 1 job is his to lose.
“It’s not really written in stone. Anything can happen throughout the season and it’s just a matter of coming in and being mentally prepared and ready to battle for that spot,” Green said.
He admitted early in the season he had a tough time picking up the pace of play, something he plans to focus on in the offseason.
“That and getting stronger off the ice,” the 6-foot-1 170-pound Green said.
