OSTER’S CAREER TURNS TO OSHAWA

Goaltending in the OHL is a hot commodity – great goaltending is like finding a diamond in the rough. The Oshawa Generals think they’ve found that great goaltender in Jacob Oster.

Drafted by the Guelph Storm 92nd overall in the 5th round of the 2020 OHL Priority selection, Oster took his rookie year by storm. Pun intended.

In 34 games during the 2021-2022 season, Oster played to a record of 16-8-3-1 and had an impressive goals against average of just 2.93 and a save percentage of 0.892. Alongside goaltending partner Owen Bennett, the Storm had the lowest goals against total in the Western Conference with just 228.

Hist first career win actually took place in his debut to the OHL, on October 13th, 2021 against the Owen Sound Attack.

This season, the Ottawa, Ont. native found himself struggling a bit with the Storm. His play from just a season ago wasn’t lost, but his ability to remain consistent just wasn’t there. In 26 games with the Storm, Oster had a 9-12-2-0 record in Guelph, with an inflated goals against average of 4.63.

In Oshawa, the same scenario was taking place with former number one Patrick Leaver. Impressive numbers from a season ago just weren’t there, and it was clear both goalies needed a new environment to find their way again.

On January 9th, Oshawa and Guelph flipped goaltenders and Jacob Oster became an Oshawa General.

It took only one game for Oster to turn in the best performance of the 2022-2023 season. In his first appearance as a General, Oster stopped 26/27 shots against the Erie Otters on Saturday, January 14th, giving him his first win as a Gen and 10th on the season.

A week later in Peterborough, Oster turned in yet another impressive performance, turning away 35/38 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Petes.

With a playoff push on the agenda, and a year to build for the future on the horizon, Oster is making a case that he should be considered the goalie to get Oshawa where they want to be. If his early two-game preview of a 2.02 goals against average and stunning 0.938 save percentage is any indication of what he’s capable of, he has a pretty good case.

THE OSHAWA GENERALS HOCKEY CLUB, PRESENTED BY OSHAWA POWER AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Arnts, Blue Bird Storage, Canadian Tire, Coca-Cola, Desjardins, Dodd and Soutor, Giant Creative, Oshawa Power, Pizza Pizza, Planet Fitness, Professional Dry Cleaners, Rodman’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Staffing Connections have teamed up for the Adopt-A-School program!

This program gives local businesses the chance to give back to the community by purchasing Generals season tickets and donating them to elementary schools throughout Durham Region. The tickets are intended to reward students that excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

MATT BEACHIN

Call 905-433-0900 Ext. 2233 or Email mbeachin@oshawagenerals.com