If you'd have told me in 2013 that by 2021 Zachary Fucale would still be waiting to make his NHL debut I'd of called you a liar. Fucale was the 36th overall pick in the NHL draft in his draft year. The second round pick was highly touted as a goaltender of the future and many felt that the Montreal Canadiens would eventually find themselves with an embarrassment of riches and goal, fast forward and that didn't end up being the case.
After being drafted Fucale played two additional QMJHL seasons spending tme with Halifax and Quebec before transitioning to the AHL in 2015-2016. Fucale struggled in his first season in the AHL with the St. John's IceCaps putting up a .903 save percentage and a 3.13 goals against average. For a few years after Fucale found himself yoyoing back and forth from the AHL to the ECHL never really able to find his game.
On July 1st, 2018 Fucale left the Canadiens organization and joined the Vegas Golden Knights for a two seasons before joining the Capitals on August 19th, 2020. The door for Fucale every reaching his pre-draft potential has likely closed at this point but watching someone like Zach battle tooth and nail to achieve his dream is a story every hockey fan can get behind.
So when Peter Laviolette announced that Fucale would make his NHL debut tonight I found myself inspired by the story of Zach Fucale. Not because of the player he ended up being, his draft comparable were Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Ward, but for the story of perseverance and determination. Further evidence of why it's hard to not be romantic about the sport we love so very much.
