‘Coming for that starting position’: Goaltending competition underway at Blazers’ training camp

Logan Edmonstone is the 19-year-old incumbent, the Saskatoon product earning the No. 1 job last season after jostling for position with Latvian import Ivans Kufterins, who is no longer with the club.

“We kind of just pushed each other last year to be the best possible people we could be,” Edmonstone said. “I really found my game from that and want to continue [building] off that.”

Edmonstone posted a 22-16-4-4 record in the 2025-2026 regular season, along with a .902 save percentage. He recorded a .866 save percentage in four post-season games.

The 5-foot-11, 173-pound netminder said he plans to be a quiet leader this season, showing the way with work ethic and determination.

Edmonstone said he had a productive off-season, working on all parts of his game, including footwork, speed and tracking.

“Logan is the beneficiary of being here for a few years,” Blazers’ director of goaltending Dan De Palma said. “He bought in early, embraced the habits and you can see it paying off for him. We expect big things from Logan.”

The Blazers nabbed Tate 23rd overall in the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft. He spurred excitement in the fan base last season, posting a .919 save percentage in two starts for Kamloops, both wins.

“Playing with that speed and then going back home, it just slows the game down so much for me,” he said. “Everything just felt like it was coming to me a little easier, a little slower, and giving me more time.”

Tate backstopped the U.S. to silver at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup earlier this month in Edmonton, allowing six goals on 32 shots in an 8-1 defeat to a dominant Canadian team in the gold-medal game.

“Great experience,” he said. “I’ve talked to a bunch of coaches. You’ve got to learn how to lose those games to learn how to win them.”

He sees both the advantages and potential pitfalls of his height.

“A little more access to those far pucks, those high pucks, but I’ve got to make sure I’m not slow,” Tate said, noting he works on agility and quickness in the gym. “That’s really the thing with the big guys, making sure they’re not slow.”

Added De Palma: “Kaeden uses his size really well. He gets around the crease. So, if Kaeden can get to his spots, he’s going to take away a lot of net, and he’s good at making sure there are no holes when he gets there.”

Edmonstone and Tate were seen encouraging each other during drills on Friday at camp. The competition appears to be healthy, as does their relationship.

“Great. No complaints,” Tate said. “There is no beef, nothing.”

Added Edmonstone: “I met him last year. It’s really good. We’re close buddies now and I look forward to having him as a buddy all season.”

BUZZWORTHY

Tate’s introduction to hockey came through his father.

“My dad cuts hair and he used to cut a bunch of the pro guys’ from the Anaheim Ducks,” Tate said, noting Frederik Andersen and Andrew Cogliano are among those who sat on his dad’s chair. “They tossed us tickets here and there. I got to go out to a couple of games and decided I wanted to play after that.”

Tate said he liked the look of goalie masks and so began his affinity for the position.

by Marty Hastings

‘Coming for that starting position’: Goaltending competition underway at Blazers’ training camp

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