Joshua Ravensbergen knows the way to San Jose.
It’s where he eventually hopes to be stopping pucks and earning big bucks in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks welcomed the 18-year-old Prince George Cougars goalie into their family Friday in Los Angeles when they chose Ravensbergen in the first round, 3oth overall in the NHL draft.
The North Vancouver native was in the audience at Peacock Theater with his family and friends and walked up to the stage to meet commissioner Gary Bettman and try on his Sharks jersey.
"It's incredible, a dream come true," said Ravensbergen."It's so exciting being here with my family and to finally hear my name called, it's something that's hard to explain.
Ravensbergen was not among the 211 players chosen three years ago in the WHL Prospects Draft and was recommended to the Cougars by goaltending consultant Sean Murray, who died in November 2023.
He’s been spectacular since joining the Cougars in 2023 and as one of the top rookies in the WHL with rookie-record six shutouts he led the Cats into Western Conference final in ’23-24. This past season he won 33 of 51 games he played, compiling a 3.00 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
Ravensbergen is one of six players in the 31-year history of the Prince George Cougars to be chosen in the first round.
He joins on that list teammate Terik Parascak (17th overall, 2024, Washington), Brett Connolly (sixth overall, 2010, Tampa Bay), Ty Wishart (16th overall, San Jose, 2006), Dan Hamhuis (12th overall, Nashville, 2001), and Eric Brewer (fifth overall, New York Islanders, 1997).
Ravensbergen was ranked 28th overall by nhl.com as the top goaltender available in the draft.
He wasn’t the first goalie picked Friday.
In a surprise selection with their second pick of the first round, the Columbus Blue Jackets selected Russian goalie Petr Andreyanov 20th overall. The Jackets picked Tri-City Americans defenceman Jackson Smith 14th overall.
Only eight goalies in the past 10 NHL drafts have been selected in the first round.
The New York Islanders chose Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer first overall.
C Michael Misa (Saginaw, OHL) went second overall to San Jose and Swedish centre Anton Frondell was chosen third by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Seattle Thunderbirds D Radim Mrtka, a native of Czechia, was the first Western Hockey League player taken in the draft, picked ninth by the Buffalo Sabres.
Five of the next six selections were from WHL teams, including Brandon Wheat Kings C Roger McQueen (10th, Anaheim Ducks), Calgary Hitmen C Ben Kindel (11th,Pittsburgh Penguins), Everett Silvertips LW Carter Bear (13th, Detroit Red Wings), Smith (14th, Columbus) and Seattle Thunderbirds C Braden Cootes (15th, Vancouver Canucks).
- Victoria Royals C Cole Reschny went 18th overall to the Calgary Flames.
- The Washington Capitals picked Moose Jaw Warriors LW Lynden Lakovic with the 28th selection.
- Nineteen of the 32 players selected Friday are Canadians.
The draft resumes with rounds 2-7 Saturday at 9 a.m. PT (Sportsnet).
