Take a closer look at the New Jersey Devils’ new hope in net, former Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Louis Domingue.
It was unfortunate news for New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider on Monday when the team announced it placed the 33-year-old on waivers.
While most of the headlines focused on Schneider’s demotion, ESNY takes a closer look at No. 35’s replacement in Louis Domingue.
Where did he come from; what’s his background; and can he help the Devils between the pipes?
One thing’s for certain is that the fans at Prudential Center have a new chant on their hands; we’d imagine that a deep and drawn-out “Lou” shout will sound off at the Rock when his name is announced over the PA or anytime he slightly displays a big save.
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Domingue, 27, was selected 138th overall by the Arizona Coyotes during the fifth round at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Ok, if you really want to get technical the ‘Yotes were known as “Phoenix” at the time.
Either way, the St-Hyacinthe, Quebec native proceeded to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Remparts for the next two seasons before debuting at the professional level in 2012-13 with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL and Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.
The unorthodox goaltender, yes he catches with his right hand instead of his left, recorded his NHL debut in 2014-15 with the Coyotes after appearing in seven games (1-2-1).
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Since that time Domingue has spent parts of five seasons between the ‘Yotes and Tampa Bay Lightning while earning 54 wins in 115 games played at the NHL level. No. 70 spent time in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons and Syracuse Crunch in that duration, too.
For the record, Schneider’s posted 43 wins in his last 132 games played with New Jersey.
Domingue’s career highlight is stepping in as Tampa’s own “Shane Falco” last season as a replacement starter after Andrej Vasilevskiy suffered a long-term injury.
Domingue recorded a commendable 21-5-0 record but was also playing behind arguably the most talented NHL team ever assembled in recent memory. Seriously, the Lightning tied an NHL record for most wins by a team in a season that dated back to 1996-96 Detroit Red Wings.
The hope is that Domingue can bring stability to New Jersey’s goaltending tandem. He doesn’t have to be Dominik Hasek or Martin Brodeur, but the expectation is that Domingue can be relied ‘not to lose’ the game for the Devils when he’s called upon.
For now, it’s reasonable to say that Domingue will benefit the Devils. It’s also not far fetched to say that he’s just a temporary fix as a masked man to support youngster MacKenzie Blackwood this season.
Yet, opportunity can be a beautiful thing.
There’s always hope the hungry and notorious backup can spark a team and help a team establish an extended winning streak.
However, only time will tell – let’s not get ahead ourselves.
