CALGARY — Despite standing just 6 feet tall and weighing in at 166 pounds, goaltender Dustin Wolf is quickly making a name for himself with the Calgary Flames, proving that size isn’t everything in the crease.
Although Wolf may be considered undersized by traditional standards, his impressive play this season shows that his stature is no hindrance. Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar praised Wolf’s performance, noting his speed, sharp vision, and confidence in goal.
“’Wolfie’ might be small,” Weegar said, “but he plays really big. He’s quick, sees the puck well, and moves it effectively. He’s calm and collected back there. You knew he was going to be an NHL goalie eventually. They did a great job in the minors, getting his confidence up. He was winning a lot down there, and that does wonders for a goalie. He’s a great teammate, a great player, and we’re lucky to have him.”
Wolf has shared the goaltending duties with Dan Vladar, starting nine of the Flames’ 18 games this season. The 23-year-old has posted a 6-2-1 record, along with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. His high-danger save percentage of .871 ranks in the 95th percentile, significantly above the league average of .809, making him the leader among NHL rookies in those categories.
“When he’s on, he anticipates plays so well,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska. “He’s always in position, and he makes tough saves look effortless. His rebound control is exceptional—he knows where the puck is going when he’s on. His biggest strength is his ability to read the play. He’s often on his feet and in position when most goalies would be sliding across.”
Wolf, drafted in the seventh round (No. 214) of the 2019 NHL Draft, continued his strong start on Friday, earning his first NHL shutout with a 2-0 win over the Nashville Predators. He made 29 saves in the victory.
“It feels good,” Wolf said after the game. “The monkey’s off my back now. It just felt great to get it done. I have my first win puck at home, and I’ll definitely be hanging those side by side.”
Even opposing goaltender Juuse Saros, one of the shortest netminders in the league at 5-foot-11, offered praise for Wolf’s play. Saros, who also admired Wolf’s performance at the World Juniors, expressed happiness for the young goalie’s success.
“I like his game,” Saros said. “I remember when I saw him in World Juniors. He’s always played well, and I’m happy for him that he’s taken that next step. He’s doing really well in this league.”
Wolf’s rise to the NHL hasn’t been a surprise to those who have followed his career. He’s excelled at every level he’s played at, earning accolades and recognition along the way. Wolf was named the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Goaltender of the Year in 2021-22, and he followed that up with another strong performance in 2022-23, also winning the AHL’s MVP award.
The California native also dominated the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Everett Silvertips, winning the Del Wilson Trophy as the league’s top goalie in 2020 and 2021. In 2019-20, he was named Canadian Hockey Goaltender of the Year and received the Dave Peterson Award as USA Hockey’s Junior Goalie of the Year. Additionally, Wolf helped Team USA win gold at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.
“We knew from the start what he was capable of,” said Huska. “He was the best goalie in the CHL for a couple of years. When he came here, we knew he’d start in the AHL, but he continued to do what he did in junior. When he showed similar performances in the American League, it made you think about what he could do in the NHL. Now that he’s getting regular starts, he’s taking full advantage of the opportunity and playing very well.”
With his strong start to the season and continued growth, Wolf is proving he can handle the spotlight at the NHL level and may well become a cornerstone of the Flames’ future.
