Joel Hofer (born July 30, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Blues in the fourth round, 107th overall, in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut in 2021 with the Blues.

Early life Hofer was born July 30, 2000, in Winnipeg, and grew up in the Rural Municipality of Headingley. He was not selected by any Western Hockey League (WHL) team in their bantam draft, and instead attended Pursuit of Excellence in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). In his final season of CSSHL play, Hofer had a 9–5 record with a 2.85 goals against average (GAA) and .915 save percentage (SV%).

Playing career Junior Hofer first played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Swift Current Broncos. He initially served as backup goaltender to Stuart Skinner, and participated in the team's Ed Chynoweth Cup victory in the 2017–18 season. He subsequently emerged as a starting goaltender and was traded to the Portland Winterhawks, where he spent the remainder of his junior career. In the 2019–20 season, his final one with the Winterhawks, Hofer was named to the Western Conference's Second All-Star Team.

Professional Following his selection by the St. Louis Blues in the 2018 NHL entry draft, Hofer was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on March 22, 2019. During the season, Hofer was recalled from AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and made his NHL debut on November 5, 2021 against the San Jose Sharks, where he tallied an assist in the 5–3 win. Upon making his debut at the age of 21 years, 97 days, he became the youngest goaltender to win his NHL debut with the Blues. While playing with the Thunderbirds during the Calder Cup playoffs, Hofer scored a goal against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on May 12. This was the first instance of an AHL goaltender physically scoring a goal.

Entering his final year of his entry-level contract in 2022–23, Hofer was reassigned to continue his development in the AHL. He enjoyed success with the Thunderbirds, and at the end of the season was named to the league's Second All-Star Team. He played the third-most minutes of any AHL goaltender that season.

On January 3, 2023, Hofer was signed by the Blues to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.55 million.

International play

Hofer was invited to make his international debut for Canada with the national junior team after attending the selection camp for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was not initially Team Canada's starting goaltender, that position occupied by Nico Daws. After Daws allowed four goals on the first 17 shots of the team's second game of the tournament against Russia, Hofer relieved him midgame. He allowed two goals on 22 shots, and was thereafter given the net. Team Canada went on a deep run to the championship final, a rematch with Russia, where Hofer made 35 saves on 38 shots in Canada's gold medal win. He was given the IIHF directorate award for Best Goaltender of the tournament, as well as named to the events Media All-Star Team.

Following his successful 2022–23 AHL season, Hofer was invited to join the senior national team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. He made his first appearance on May 17 against Kazakhstan, where he allowed one goal on 17 shots in Team Canada's 5–1 win. He ultimately appeared in two of ten tournament games, managing a .925 save percentage, while Team Canada won the gold medal. The following year, he rejoined the team for the 2024 IIHF World Championship as one of its three goaltenders, alongside Blues teammate Jordan Binnington and former World Junior teammate Daws.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2017–18 Swift Current Broncos WHL 19 8 3 1 897 39 1 2.61 .914 2 0 0 46 2 0 2.60 .875 2018–19 Swift Current Broncos WHL 30 6 21 1 1806 121 1 4.02 .904 — — — — — — — — 2018–19 Portland Winterhawks WHL 18 9 8 0 1019 54 2 3.18 .911 5 1 4 312 21 0 4.03 .871 2018–19 San Antonio Rampage AHL 1 0 1 0 58 4 0 4.11 .886 — — — — — — — — 2019–20 Portland Winterhawks WHL 48 34 8 5 2839 118 4 2.49 .915 — — — — — — — — 2020–21 Utica Comets AHL 10 4 6 0 558 31 2 3.33 .898 — — — — — — — — 2021–22 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 39 18 14 6 2252 111 1 2.96 .905 10 6 4 609 26 1 2.56 .934 2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 2 1 1 0 117 6 0 3.07 .880 — — — — — — — — 2022–23 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 47 27 15 5 2780 116 5 2.50 .921 2 0 2 114 10 0 5.25 .853 2022–23 St. Louis Blues NHL 6 3 1 1 318 17 0 3.22 .905 — — — — — — — — 2023–24 St. Louis Blues NHL 30 15 12 1 1629 71 1 2.62 .914 — — — — — — — — 2024–25 St. Louis Blues NHL 31 16 8 3 1679 74 1 2.64 .904 — — — — — — — — 2025–26 St. Louis Blues NHL 46 24 13 5 2625 113 6 2.58 .910 — — — — — — — — NHL totals 115 59 35 10 6,366 281 8 2.67 .909 — — — — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2020 Canada WJC 6 5 0 0 338 9 1 1.60 .939 2023 Canada WC 2 1 1 0 124 3 0 1.46 .925 2024 Canada WC 4th 1 1 0 0 60 2 0 2.00 .867 Junior totals 6 5 0 0 338 9 1 1.60 .939 Senior totals 3 2 1 0 184 5 0 1.63 .909

Awards and honours Award Year RefWHL Ed Chynoweth Cup champion 2018 Western Conference Second All-Star Team 2020 AHL Second All-Star Team 2023 International World Junior Championships Best Goaltender 2020 World Junior Championships Media All-Star Team 2020

References

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