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Ottawa 67s Goaltender Ryder Fetterolf Earns CHL Goaltender of the Year, Faces Uncertain Future
Ryder Fetterolf, the 18‑year‑old goaltender from Pennsylvania, was named the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) Goaltender of the Year for the 2025‑26 season. The award, presented on Monday, makes Fetterolf the first Ottawa 67’s player to receive the honor.
Fetterolf’s season was statistically dominant. He posted a 29‑9‑3 record, a 2.07 goals‑against average, and a .923 save percentage while helping the 67’s finish with 100 points and a 29‑9‑3 record. He also earned the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Jim Rutherford Trophy, the league’s award for best goaltender, in April.
The 67’s organization confirmed that Fetterolf joined the team last fall as a free‑agent walk‑on. He has been a key part of the club’s recent success, and the team’s goalie coach, Andrew Mercer, said, “Ryder’s success comes as no surprise to anyone who worked with him this season. He’s a committed athlete who constantly looks for ways to improve and embraces the work needed to become an elite goaltender.”
Fetterolf is only the second rookie goaltender to win the CHL award, the first since Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs did so in 1994‑95. He is also the third American‑born goaltender to receive the honor, following Michael Houser of the London Knights (2011‑12) and Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips (2019‑20).
The award comes at a pivotal moment for Fetterolf. He has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Penn State University next season, but he has not yet finalized his decision. After the 67’s playoff run ended, he told Postmedia that he would wait until after the June 27 NHL draft to make a final choice.
Central Scouting placed the 5‑foot‑11, 184‑pound Fetterolf at No. 11 in its final rankings of North American goalies. No other goalie among the Top 23 is under six feet. He said that his draft position could influence whether he returns to Ottawa or goes to college, noting that NHL teams often prefer to allow goalies more development time.
The 67’s will have a new starting goaltender after Fetterolf’s departure. Jaeden Nelson, a 6‑foot‑1, 208‑pound Nepean native, will take the primary role. Nelson finished the previous season with an 18‑6‑3 record, a 2.33 goals‑against average, and a .915 save percentage. He was not on Central Scouting’s Top 32 North American goalies list.
Other goaltenders on the 67’s roster include Liam Conway, who played one game for the team in 2024‑25 and spent the previous season with the Carleton Place Canadians. Ottawa also drafted two goalies in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection: Noah La Gambina (98th overall from Richmond Hill) and Chase Petrova (133rd overall from King City). In the most recent draft, the 67’s selected Marcus Smolcic in the eighth round and Connor Reed in the 14th round.
The 67’s’ goaltending depth will be tested in the upcoming season. With Fetterolf’s exit, the team will rely on Nelson and the newly drafted goalies to fill the net. The organization’s decision to bring in a walk‑on who has now earned the league’s highest individual honor underscores the club’s willingness to develop talent outside traditional draft channels.
Fetterolf’s future remains uncertain. He has expressed openness to both NHL and college options, and his draft position will likely play a decisive role. If he is selected early, he may stay in Ottawa to gain more experience; if not, he could pursue the collegiate path at Penn State.
The 67’s will finish the season with a 29‑9‑3 record and 100 points, but the team’s playoff run ended before the awards ceremony. The CHL award highlights the club’s strong development program and the potential for future NHL talent.
As the 2025‑26 OHL season concludes, the 67’s will evaluate their goaltending strategy for the next year. The team’s management will need to decide whether to retain Nelson as the starter, promote one of the drafted goalies, or seek additional depth through free‑agency or trade. The outcome will shape Ottawa’s competitiveness in the 2026 Memorial Cup and the broader junior hockey landscape.
In summary, Ryder Fetterolf’s CHL Goaltender of the Year award marks a historic achievement for the Ottawa 67’s and a turning point in his career. His decision between returning to Ottawa or heading to Penn State will have implications for both the club and his own professional trajectory. The 67’s will look to the next season to determine how they will fill the net and maintain their status as a top junior program.
Fetterolf’s season was statistically dominant. He posted a 29‑9‑3 record, a 2.07 goals‑against average, and a .923 save percentage while helping the 67’s finish with 100 points and a 29‑9‑3 record. He also earned the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Jim Rutherford Trophy, the league’s award for best goaltender, in April.
The 67’s organization confirmed that Fetterolf joined the team last fall as a free‑agent walk‑on. He has been a key part of the club’s recent success, and the team’s goalie coach, Andrew Mercer, said, “Ryder’s success comes as no surprise to anyone who worked with him this season. He’s a committed athlete who constantly looks for ways to improve and embraces the work needed to become an elite goaltender.”
Fetterolf is only the second rookie goaltender to win the CHL award, the first since Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs did so in 1994‑95. He is also the third American‑born goaltender to receive the honor, following Michael Houser of the London Knights (2011‑12) and Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips (2019‑20).
The award comes at a pivotal moment for Fetterolf. He has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Penn State University next season, but he has not yet finalized his decision. After the 67’s playoff run ended, he told Postmedia that he would wait until after the June 27 NHL draft to make a final choice.
Central Scouting placed the 5‑foot‑11, 184‑pound Fetterolf at No. 11 in its final rankings of North American goalies. No other goalie among the Top 23 is under six feet. He said that his draft position could influence whether he returns to Ottawa or goes to college, noting that NHL teams often prefer to allow goalies more development time.
The 67’s will have a new starting goaltender after Fetterolf’s departure. Jaeden Nelson, a 6‑foot‑1, 208‑pound Nepean native, will take the primary role. Nelson finished the previous season with an 18‑6‑3 record, a 2.33 goals‑against average, and a .915 save percentage. He was not on Central Scouting’s Top 32 North American goalies list.
Other goaltenders on the 67’s roster include Liam Conway, who played one game for the team in 2024‑25 and spent the previous season with the Carleton Place Canadians. Ottawa also drafted two goalies in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection: Noah La Gambina (98th overall from Richmond Hill) and Chase Petrova (133rd overall from King City). In the most recent draft, the 67’s selected Marcus Smolcic in the eighth round and Connor Reed in the 14th round.
The 67’s’ goaltending depth will be tested in the upcoming season. With Fetterolf’s exit, the team will rely on Nelson and the newly drafted goalies to fill the net. The organization’s decision to bring in a walk‑on who has now earned the league’s highest individual honor underscores the club’s willingness to develop talent outside traditional draft channels.
Fetterolf’s future remains uncertain. He has expressed openness to both NHL and college options, and his draft position will likely play a decisive role. If he is selected early, he may stay in Ottawa to gain more experience; if not, he could pursue the collegiate path at Penn State.
The 67’s will finish the season with a 29‑9‑3 record and 100 points, but the team’s playoff run ended before the awards ceremony. The CHL award highlights the club’s strong development program and the potential for future NHL talent.
As the 2025‑26 OHL season concludes, the 67’s will evaluate their goaltending strategy for the next year. The team’s management will need to decide whether to retain Nelson as the starter, promote one of the drafted goalies, or seek additional depth through free‑agency or trade. The outcome will shape Ottawa’s competitiveness in the 2026 Memorial Cup and the broader junior hockey landscape.
In summary, Ryder Fetterolf’s CHL Goaltender of the Year award marks a historic achievement for the Ottawa 67’s and a turning point in his career. His decision between returning to Ottawa or heading to Penn State will have implications for both the club and his own professional trajectory. The 67’s will look to the next season to determine how they will fill the net and maintain their status as a top junior program.
