Goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen #31 (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
In hockey, the path to the NHL is rarely linear—especially for goaltenders. The position is one of the most mentally demanding in sports and is often filled with late bloomers who rise through the ranks against the odds. Joshua Ravensbergen fits that mold perfectly. Undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, overlooked by scouts and without the spotlight afforded to early standouts, Ravensbergen quietly built himself into one of the most intriguing goaltending prospects in this year’s NHL Draft.
His story isn’t just one of late development—it’s one of relentless work ethic, belief in his abilities and a family that stood behind him through it all. From long car rides to ice times across town to putting in the work at unsung preseason camps, Ravensbergen’s journey is a testament to patience, preparation and seizing opportunity.
Now, as he prepares to hear his name called on draft day, the 6-foot-5 netminder reflects on the people, mindset and moments that brought him here.
Proving Doubters Wrong
The odds were stacked against Ravensbergen early in his career. While many of his peers saw their names called in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft, he was left off the board entirely. For some, that would have been a crushing blow. But for him, it was fuel. He chose not to dwell on the disappointment, but instead focused on the one thing he could control—his work ethic.
“I wasn’t picked in the WHL Bantam Draft, but I didn’t give up on my dream,” Ravensbergen said in an one-on-one interview with RG. “I just kept working and waited for my shot.”
That shot came through a connection with his goalie coach, who helped him land opportunities at junior camps. The most pivotal of these came when he earned an invite to the Prince George Cougars’ preseason roster. It was there that he made a name for himself—not through hype or pedigree, but through performance.
“My goalie coach got me listed to attend some camps, and I was invited by Prince George for the preseason,” he said. “I played my heart out and eventually got listed on the preseason roster and got six shutouts in 12 games.”
That kind of dominance is rare, especially from an undrafted goaltender. Those performances not only turned heads within the organization but completely changed the team’s trajectory in goal. Ravensbergen didn’t just earn a roster spot—he took the starting job from the goaltender the Cougars had previously drafted instead of him.
His rise wasn’t just about the on-ice work. Behind the scenes, a support system held him up—especially his family, who were instrumental in helping him navigate those difficult, grind-it-out years.
“My parents were great and would take me everywhere for practices and tournaments,” he said. “My mom used to drive me everywhere because I’d sometimes hit the ice twice a day. And then my brother plays too; she sacrificed a lot.”
Now, as Ravensbergen and his family head to Los Angeles for the NHL Draft, there’s a sense of completion to this journey—a full-circle moment that speaks to the years of silent sacrifice and commitment that helped make it possible.
Developing His Game
Ravensbergen’s transformation didn’t stop at earning the starter’s role in Prince George. His next challenge was evolving from a promising WHL goalie to a legitimate NHL-caliber netminder. That meant studying the game, identifying flaws in his technique and making meaningful changes to better position himself for long-term success.
“I worked a lot on calming down my game this year and making sure I wasn’t too aggressive,” he said. “I used to challenge guys a lot and chase the play, and now I let the play come to me and attack what’s in front of me.”
By refining his positioning and trusting his reads, Ravensbergen added layers of composure and consistency to his game. He’s no longer chasing the play—he’s controlling it. That maturity in the crease has earned him praise from scouts for being efficient, composed and mentally strong under pressure.
Ravensbergen studies players like Oettinger not just for technical inspiration, but to model the balance between athleticism and discipline. Yet, his love for the game goes beyond the blue paint.
“I loved watching Rask as a kid, growing up a Bruins fan,” said the Vancouver native. “He was just so good and dominant in net, but I also loved Brad Marchand as well because he was relentless.”
It’s no surprise Ravensbergen admires players with grit. Like Marchand, his journey has been defined by an unrelenting drive to succeed—always playing with a chip on his shoulder, always looking to prove something. That edge, paired with his improved technique, makes him one of the most promising goalie prospects in his class.
Getting Ready for the Draft
The NHL Combine is where prospects are tested—mentally, physically and emotionally. For goaltenders, it’s also a rare opportunity to sit down with team-specific goalie scouts and talk shop. For Ravensbergen, that chance to communicate directly with evaluators who understand his craft was a special one.
“It was really cool at the combine to sit down with Anaheim in a separate room with their goalie scout and really just talk about my game,” he said. “It was cool to be able to talk to someone who gets you and where you’re at.”
These interviews gave teams insight not only into his skill set, but also his mindset, personality and adaptability. Some teams took creative approaches to gauge how he processes pressure and maintains focus.
“The Rangers were cool too. They flipped over a piece of paper with numbers 1 to 100 on them and then asked you to find numbers 1 through 10 as quickly as possible,” he said. “It was really interesting how teams test you, but it was so much fun.”
While the process can be overwhelming, Ravensbergen embraced it. His performance in interviews and physical testing has only reinforced what scouts already know—he’s focused, intelligent and game-ready.
RG has learned that several teams with multiple first-round picks—like Nashville, Columbus and Philadelphia—are eyeing a goalie late in the first round, and Ravensbergen is high on their radar.
If his name is called on Day 1 of the draft, it will mark another milestone in a journey that began far from the spotlight—built on determination and belief.
Full-Circle Moment
After years of quietly climbing the ranks, Ravensbergen is now just days away from hearing his name called at the 2025 NHL Draft. It’s the kind of moment he’s dreamed about since childhood—but he’s not just thinking about himself. He’s thinking about everyone who helped make it possible.
“I can’t wait to just live it with my family. It’s something you dream of, and to finally be able to take that step is huge.”
What makes his story so unique isn’t just where he’s going—it’s where he started. Every long drive to practice, every extra rep at goalie training, every time he was passed over—they all add meaning to this moment. He’s kept that same fire throughout his WHL career, and it’s that fire that will keep pushing him at the next level.
“Yeah, I guess I played with that chip on my shoulder,” he admitted, “but even being in the WHL, I’m still motivated to keep getting better and to prove to people that I’m the best at what I do.”
Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.
