Rudy Guimond is the QMJHL’s version of “Mr. Zero.” That nickname isn’t original at all. Former Boston Bruins netminder Frank Brimsek was nicknamed “Mr. Zero” after posting three consecutive shutouts to start his professional career. Brimsek went on to post 80 career shutouts which is an incredibly impressive number given that era of the game. Obviously, the hockey world is notorious for nicknames, some are accurate while others are quite contrived. “Mr. Zero”, obviously is very fitting for Guimond due to his perfect record. Guimond is 23-0 with 4 shutouts a 1.82 GAA and .936 SAV% over the regular season and playoffs.
Photo Credit Daniel St Louis
There were tons of questions and rumours surrounding the Wildcats goaltending situation to start the season and that plot only thickened with the arrival of Guimond. The Cats crease became very crowded with Jacob Steinman, Keegan Warren and Guimond. Ultimately the Wildcats went with Steinman and Guimond, but the Detroit Red Wings 6th rounder in 2023 didn’t see the net right away which only added to speculation regarding his mastery of the position.
The eye test is always the measuring stick when it comes to goaltenders and building the trust of coaches, teammates and without a doubt the fanbase. Guimond took every opportunity when given the net to prove he could play at the CHL level and realistically he hasn’t looked back since.
When it came time for the organization to make arguably the toughest personnel decision since the Jordan Spence and Jakob Pelletier trade’s the Wildcats brain trust sent Jacob Steinman to Halifax for playoff proven and big game goaltender Mathis Rousseau. That subsequent trade drove a spike through the Cats fanbase and left everyone questioning the direction of the team from that position.
By that point of the season, Guimond was building a ton of confidence and had the same amount of W’s on the stat sheet. Guimond has worked tremendously hard on his overall game and technique since his arrival in the Hub City. You don’t have a record like his without working hard and being focused and driven.
Over the course of the second half of the season, especially when Rousseau experienced a small dip in his play, Guimond carried the bulk of the load. His rebound control, glove work and composure in the blue paint have been areas of marked improvement for the soon to be 20-year-old backstop.
Guimond’s consistency and poise between the pipes brought stability to the group when they needed it the most, especially during a tough stretch of games in the second half. Rudy Guimond is a battler in there, and like all young netminders sometimes it might not look as polished when it comes to the technique and movements, but you can bet your ass on Guimond never giving up on a puck. It doesn’t take too long to tell he’s the type of goaltender that absolutely hates seeing the puck get past him. His demeanor, competitive fire and mindset are his strongest attributes.
At times from afar Guimond would be down a touch too fast or kick out a rebound which was questionable, but he, much like the entire Moncton Wildcats have just found a way to win, no matter what and there’s definitely something to be said about that especially come playoff time.
Rudy Guimond or “Mr. Zero,” that is, has put his record on the line time and time again. When it looked like things wouldn’t go his way, he dug in and found a way to keep his team in respective games, battled through his own struggles when he wasn’t sharp which speaks volumes to his character and compete level. An instant fan favourite, Rudy Guimond is the type of netminder that would do anything to help his team win and that’s exactly what he’s done 23 times straight.
Rousseau and Guimond have become the true essence of a tandem throughout the Wildcats playoff run and have pushed each other to the level where they find themselves and the team.
Rudy Guimond seems like the type of player who doesn’t chase individual accolades he’s all about the team and the W and that’s exactly why he’s 23-0.
The Quick Shift 