During the first game of the 2014 season, returning goaltender Tye Belanger was replaced in net by rookie, Dillon Ward. Belanger, following a solid sophomore season, never managed to regain his claim to the net. Following a poor start in the season opener, Belanger would go on to start in only two other games last season. He came in in relief of Ward once and on four other occasions, played parts of games, temporarily relieving ward. The 2011 draftee had his lowest save percentage in his three year NLL career at .638%, saving 90 out of 141 shots. He was limited to 186:15 in goal, a significant decline from his 412:13 the previous season.
Belanger, who was chosen 16th in 2011, was given a 3 year contract extension in the 2013 offseason, keeping him Mammoth property until 2016. Following a solid sophomore season after limited time his rookie year, this seemed like a good move. In 2013, the Mammoth also had the third overall draft pick, which was used to take Ward. At the time, Belanger and Ward were expected to make a tough goalie duo, and Belanger was quoted as saying that he hoped this would “push me and him to be better goalies and we can make this team better.” However, once Ward took the net and rolled with it, Belanger never really got a chance to get back into it.
Belanger belongs to the Mammoth until 2016. As of the end of last season, it was left as Ward’s net. Ward does not seem inclined to relinquish his claim on it, nor do the Mammoth seem overly willing to give Belanger chances to win it back. This leaves them with the options of releasing him, keeping him as a tandem/backup with Ward or on the practice squad or trading him. Trading him seems an unlikely option; the majority of the league is set with goaltenders. Minnesota has made goaltending moves. Tyler Richards and Evan Kirk ended the season on the NLL’s PUP list, but have performed well in summer leagues, so it’s likely they will be back in their spots come fall. There just aren’t spots for him to go, unless it’s to remain as a backup. Cutting him loose after just re-signing him last year is always an option. It’s not a nice one, but, it’s there.
I really believe Belanger will continue with the Mammoth, albeit in a backup role to Ward. He may recover from this season if given the chance, and, I believe, should Ward fall into a sophomore slump, he is more than capable of taking the reigns. In my opinion, Belanger is a casualty of the NLL roster size shrinking; even though teams will still carry two goaltenders regardless, it’s going to be more competitive for those two spots. Players coming in in all positions are going to be younger and more competitive because of the change.
Goalies will have to step up their game in the NCAA to keep up with the runners who have to step up their game to get drafted and hopefully get a spot. It’s not that Belanger is a bad goalie; I think he may have been a little unprepared coming into the season last year, and a younger, fresher guy got the advantage from that. I think that was a wake up call for a lot of players last year, not just Belanger, and this season, you’re going to see a step up in the compete level in all positions. I’m not counting him out just yet.
