NHL prospect draws inspiration from former Blackhawks goalie who made history

Former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Cristobal Huet will never crack the all-time Centennial Team's roster. But that doesn't mean he didn't make history once upon a time. You may remember that Huet was the first, and so far the only, netminder from France to play in the NHL.

And one prospect for the Washington Capitals is using Huet as inspiration to become the second goaltender to make the big league. That would be Antoine Keller, the 206th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and a player Huet himself has coached.

Yeah, as a seventh-round pick, Keller's going to have to put in the overtme if he wants to rise through the ranks and play for either the Capitals should he stick around their system, or one of the league's other 31 teams.

But, Keller has a long way to go in his development. He's young, and won't turn 21 until October 6th. Keller's also taking the hard path to the pros, having signed a contract not with the Caps, but their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. So, that's going to be his proving ground.

Antoine Keller should use former Blackhawks goaltender Cristobal Huet as inspiration

It makes sense for Keller to look up to Huet. Sure, they're coming from the same nation, and one that's not well known for hockey. But if you remember it right, Huet didn't get drafted until the seventh round of the 2001 draft, when the Los Angeles Kings snagged him wtih the 214th pick.

Huet was 25 at the time, and didn't see his first taste of regular season action in the NHL until he was 27. That said, Keller has more than enough time to reach those lofty expectations, and he did drafted a few slots ahead of Huet.

But we also know how tough it is for netminders to make it in the NHL, with only 64 openings in the league unless a team rolls with three of them. But that's hit or miss. Still, it's not like the forward position, where you see up to 14 of them, or on the blue line, where there are typically seven.

So, for Blackhawks fans who admired Huet, a player who enjoyed a couple of good seasons with the Hawks before Antti Niemi briefly took over, Antoine Keller may be a prospect to watch, even if he's in a different system.

Because who knows? Maybe he'll become the second netminder from France to suit up for the Hawks should he wind up in the system? That would be cool to see.

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