Anaheim Ducks Lockout Prospect Report: John Gibson

Name: John Gibson

Age: 19

Position: Goaltender

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Draft Story: 2nd round, 39th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. His pick was acquired with the 30th selection for the Ducks 24th overall selection.

How did he become a Duck?: Drafted. He signed his ELC earlier this year with the Ducks.

Where did the Ducks send him for the lockout?: The Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, where he will be their starting goaltender.

2011-2012 League & Team: Kitchener Rangers.

Other hockey ventures: Prior to his play in Kitchener he played with the U.S. National Development team, and initially committed to the Michigan Wolverines (then de-committed). Besides that, he played on Team USA for the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships, where the team won a silver medal. He was awarded with First Team All-Star goaltender for the tournament.

Key Stats Last Season: In 32 games he had 21 wins, with a 2.75 goals against average, and 0.928 save percentage. By year's end, Gibson was named an OHL Third Team All-Star.

Scout's Take: From Hockey's Future, "He is a complete goaltender who should ascend through the amateur and minor pro ranks quickly. Gibson will play out his CHL career and then there is nothing standing between him and a No.1 job in the AHL with the Ducks' affiliate, the [Norfolk Admirals]. Long-term he could be a No. 1A/1B goaltender, the type of battler the Ducks have coveted."

Is he a Work-in-progress, Future trade-bait, or a Keeper?: Keeper. John Gibson will be the heir to Jonas Hiller as the Anaheim Ducks starting goaltender.

Should we be excited?: Yes, and no. On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd give it a 4, if only for the fact that when John Gibson arrives with the pro club, it will likely signal the end for Jonas Hiller.