Draft Thoughts (Goalie Edition, Vol. 13):
LHG Jakub Milota, 6'2",168lbs
Cape Breton (QMJHL): 33gp, 18-11-1, 2.82 GAA, .905 SV%
U-18 (Czechia): 5gp, 2-3-0, 3.05 GAA, .882 SV%
Hlinka (Czechia): 4gp, 2-2-0, 2.55 GAA, .889 SV%
Jakub Milota was a first-round pick of the Cape Breton Eagles in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, and was named to the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team this season, after posting the ninth-best save percentage in the league. Milota's U-18 Tournament was marred by his performance against Team Canada, allowing 4 goals on 9 shots before being pulled. As a testament to his mental fortitude, he rebounded nicely the next game against Team Sweden, making 26 saves in a 3-2 shootout win and being named Czechia's Player of the Game.
Milota is hyper-aggressive, with a game that revolves around his speed in the crease. He moves with uncommon pace, anticipates shots keenly, and makes stops with his lightning-quick reaction time. He's extremely athletic, employing fluid lateral movement, going post-to-post in a flash with strong, controlled pushes. His body is very bendable, with long legs and knee flexion. He owns his crease, moving around efficiently, and has mobility when in the butterfly, without oversliding. He goes up and down vertically with fluidity, and splays his legs out for extra coverage. His post-game is flawless, sealing it up with a well-practiced RVH position that he moves into seamlessly, giving puck-carriers no net. His recovery speed is a major facet of his game, and he exhibits good habits in performance of this skill, being able to return to standing position at a high rate of speed, and getting back to being square to the puck- he does this well when giving up rebounds. Milota challenges shooters in the slot, and exerts patience in waiting for them to make the first move.
Milota can give up rebounds into dangerous areas of the ice near the net, but his recoveries usually save him. Still, he will need to clean up his rebound control, also because he can sometimes lose sight of the puck in this scenario. He doesn't do well when the puck goes behind the net, because he doesn't shoulder-check well enough. This hurts him in situations where he's at the top of the crease being aggressive, and fails to notice a back-door threat. All-in-all, I think Milota is an underrated goalie but I see him coming off the board in the 5th, or 6th round. He has potential, though.
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