Blackhawks goaltending prospect Wouter Peeters joined the Guildford Flames in the Elite Ice Hockey League on Tuesday.
Peeters started the season on a tryout contract with Tappara in Liiga, Finland’s top division, but left the club in mid-September after not seeing any playing time. The 2016 third rounder did not participate in Chicago’s development camp this summer.
The 21-year-old posted a .908 save percentage last season in eight games for JHT in Suomi-sarja, Finland’s third division, after a three-game stint with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound netminder dealt with injuries this past season and finished the 2018-19 campaign playing for Belgium in the Division II World Championship tournament.
“Wouter is a little different from our normal history in that he is a much younger, less experienced goaltender than we have normally had,” Guildford head coach Paul Dixon said in a release. “He has only just come out of junior hockey and is making the transition to men’s levels.
“He is a big framed goaltender, he is hungry to prove himself, and he has shown a some promise which is evidenced by his draft standing and also some of the opportunities he has had at this very early stage of his career.”
Guildford’s other two goaltenders are Travis Fullerton (31) and Michael Will (32).
The Blackhawks hold Peeters’ rights until June 2020.
Fast arrival! Wouter Peeters straight off the plane and into training today. Pads and gear that fit the colour scheme may take a tad longer though! pic.twitter.com/160QBdJmhp
— Guildford Flames (@flamesicehockey) October 2, 2019