New goal­tenders in the league

Following the swift parting of ways with Tyler Beskorowany, who made just one appearance for EC Grand Immo VSV and conceded five goals from 22 shots in the 1:6 defeat in Salzburg, the Villach side have made a high-profile addition. Kristers Gudlevskis arrives as a Latvian netminder with experience in the NHL, KHL, DEL and at World Championship level, as the 28-year-old is his country's national team goaltender.

He was between the posts in four games at the 2019 World Championship, including Latvia's 5:2 win over Austria. Gudlevskis was drafted 124th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013, but despite posting an average save percentage of 95,9 per cent in his appearances, he played only three games through 2017.

In 2018, he returned to Dinamo Riga in the KHL and made 40 appearances there before playing 25 games for the Fischtown Pinguins in the DEL last season. In addition to four World Championships, Gudlevskis also competed at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, where he stood out with 55 saves in the 1:2 quarter-final defeat to Canada. Gudlevskis has made 70 appearances for Latvia to date.

The Moser Medical Graz99ers have found a replacement for long-term injured Ben Bowns in the form of a current U20 World Champion. Olivier Rodrigue joins the Graz side and, subject to the completion of some formalities, could make his debut against HC Innsbruck as early as Friday.

The 20-year-old Canadian joins the 99ers from the QMJHL, where he made 39 appearances for the Moncton Wildcats (save percentage: 91,8 per cent). He previously spent three years with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and was also part of his country's U18 squad. Rodrigue was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2018, 62nd overall.