Meneghin embracing starting role

By Lethbridge Herald on November 25, 2022.

Lethbridge Hurricanes goalie Harrison Meneghin makes a save during the Nov.18 game against the Red Deer Rebels. Meneghin has come into his own as the starting goalie for the Canes.

By Justin  Seward

Lethbridge Herald

In just his second season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, 18-year-old goaltender Harrison Meneghin has excelled in the crease to the point of taking over the starting role.

The South Surrey, B.C. native has compiled a goals against average of 2.19, a save percentage of .926% and an 8-3-0-1 record in 13 starts.

“It’s been nice,” said Meneghin.

“You know starting from being the back up and kind of getting the nod more, I wasn’t really expecting it. But I feel like I’ve been doing a good job in the crease, so (I) just kind of roll with it.”

Meneghin has been using the mind set of just going out there and play, always be ready and taking it one shot at a time.

Fans can get used Meneghin’s style of being a quick, hybrid goalie.

“Not so much relying on my positioning, but relying more on just my athleticism,” said Meneghin.

He credits goalie coach Kevin Swanson for helping to reassure himself in the net as a young goaltender with plenty of conversations.

“But I think just going in there knowing there’s a lot of games (and) just one goal doesn’t mean a whole lot (and) just go and refocus and get your head back in the game if you let in a soft goal,” said Meneghin.

The defensive core in front of him has played a part in his success.

“Obviously having a strong d-core with Joe (Arntsen) and Paulsy (Chase Pauls) and Chaddy (Noah Chadwick) and all those guys back there, it’s great,” said Meneghin.

“It’s really nice having some good defenceman like that, that can just really make a confident play when they have the puck in the defensive zone — you know they’re going to make a nice play. Obviously there’s a lot of talk that goes on before faceoffs (and) behind the net when I’m playing it. So it’s really good to have guys like them that can really make my job a lot easier.”

Swanson said the progression in his game has been noticeable.

“You know stepping in at training camp coming back from last year, we noticed a lot of improvement in his game,” said Swanson.

“And he’s done the work to his credit to continue to build and continue to get better every day, and that’s what you’re seeing out of his game. And that’s why he’s getting the results, he’s getting more net time. It’s all a part of that process of a young goalie coming into our league.”

Swanson said the biggest thing is his poise.

“For a young guy, he’s quite poised in the net,” said Swanson.

“He looks calm. You know, not a lot of things phase him. So it brings that calming presence to the team too, which is important as a goalie to have that.”

For his efforts recently, Meneghin was named WHL Goaltender of the Week earlier this month.