The Nanaimo Clippers moved another step forward in solidifying their chances of heading deep into the playoffs with the addition of 2002-born USA goalie, Jed Baliotti out of New Canaan, Connecticut. Baliotti is committed to the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA Div. 1 and was ranked #24 overall by NHL Central Scouting for goalies heading into the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Baliotti was a top level USA High School prep goalie who helped lead Berkshire School to the Elite 8 semifinals in the 2019-2020 season, where he posted a .930 save percentage and a 2.05 GAA in 25 games. He was named to the NEPSAC All New England Second Team due to his strong play which was definitely noticed as he was drafted in 2020 at 86th overall in the USHL Entry Draft 2020 while receiving his NCAA Div 1 scholarship commitment. Last season, Baliotti started the COVID-19 shortened season in the USHL with Green Bay Gamblers before heading to the Northern Cyclones of the NCDC to end the season. This year, after being drafted in the 1st round, 28th overall in the NAHL Supplemental Draft, Baliotti moved to the NAHL where, after 5 games, he had a 2.87 GAA and a save percentage of .896 but was looking to apply his trade up in Canada with the BCHL.
Darren Naylor, GM and Head Coach commented; “Baliotti has good size at 6-foot-3 and comes highly regarded by the New Hampshire scouting staff. He is big in the net and takes away a lot of shooting angles solely because of his size. He is poised between the pipes, has good rebound control and doesn’t take himself out of the play after making a save. We have been very happy with Cooper Black this year and having two Div. 1 committed goalies to choose from every night is a dream come true.”
Wes Mussio, President of the Clippers, added; “We were trying to land Jed for quite some time and when the opportunity came, we had to jump on it. I expect Copper Black and Jed to complement each other and give the coaching staff options every night. Whenever a committed Div. 1 goalie becomes available, we have to jump on it. It is no disrespect to Jayden Shull, who is a good goalie in his own right, but this was a move we had to make.”
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