St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong bets on Joel Hofer's NHL rise with $6.8 million extension
Photo byThe St. Louis Blues made a clear statement this weekend about their future in goal—Joel Hofer is a key part of it. On Saturday, the team announced they signed the 24-year-old netminder to a two-year, $6.8 million contract extension, avoiding any drama around restricted free agency.
The deal, averaging $3.4 million annually, reflects the Blues' commitment to the young goalie who's steadily earned his place in the NHL since debuting in 2021. General Manager Doug Armstrong wasn't shy about his stance earlier in the week, firmly shutting down any talk of rivals poaching Hofer with offer sheets.
St. Louis Blues lock in goalie
Joel Hofer
with $6.8 million NHL extension, reinforcing commitment to future in net
Joel Hofer's new deal comes on the heels of his most active NHL season to date. In 31 games last season, including 28 starts, he posted a solid 16-8-3 record, with a career-best 2.64 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.
Overall, the Winnipeg native has suited up in 69 regular-season games for St. Louis, compiling a 35-22-5 record. His consistency over the past two seasons stands out: his .909 save percentage ranks eighth among NHL goaltenders with at least 60 games played in that span, while his 2.65 GAA is good for 12th.
Doug Armstrong addressed concerns about Hofer's RFA status on Monday during pre-draft media availability, saying bluntly: 'You're not going to get him.'
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He made it clear the Blues had no interest in negotiating through arbitration or worrying about offer sheets. 'We're not concerned about offer sheets or anything like that,' Armstrong added, underscoring the team's confidence in locking Hofer up directly.
Drafted 107th overall by St. Louis in 2018, Joel Hofer's development has been marked by steady growth. He started his junior career in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos before moving to the Portland Winterhawks, where he closed out his junior tenure as a Western Conference Second All-Star in 2019–20. He signed his first NHL deal with
St. Louis
in March 2019 and made his NHL debut in November 2021 against San Jose, winning at just 21 years old—making him the youngest Blues goalie ever to notch a win in his debut.
St. Louis Blues strengthen NHL goaltending plans with Joel Hofer secured on multi-million deal
Joel Hofer's experience isn't just NHL-based. He's enjoyed strong AHL seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds, even scoring a rare goalie goal in 2022, and he's shone on the international stage. He backstopped Canada to gold at the 2020 World Junior Championship, earning tournament Best Goaltender honors, and was part of Team Canada's gold-medal-winning squad at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
With this extension, the Blues are betting on Hofer's blend of poise, experience, and upside—ensuring that for at least two more seasons, their crease will have both security and promise.
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