The Elite League’s blue paint just got a whole lot more interesting.
The Sheffield Sheffield made waves this summer by tying Matthew Greenfield down to a three-year contract — a rare piece of long-term stability in a league where one-year deals are the norm.
Further down the M1, the Nottingham Panthers wasted no time in re-signing Jason Grande, who proved himself as a top-tier shot-stopper after his mid-season arrival.
And there are new faces in Belfast and Cardiff, with Team GB stalwarts Jackson Whistle and Ben Bowns facing fresh competition at the club level.
Goaltending will be a swing factor in 2025-26. But how do the Elite League’s shot-stopping tandems stack up? Let’s dive in.
1. Sheffield Steelers | Matthew Greenfield & Eamon McAdam
Between the pipes, Aaron Fox has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
Matthew Greenfield’s reputation as one of the Elite League’s best shot-stoppers is well deserved.
Since joining the Steelers in 2022, the American has backstopped his team to a historic treble, starred in their resultant Champions Hockey League run, and maintained sparkling save percentage (.931) and goals-against average (2.14) metrics.
And Greenfield has achieved all of that without a strong back-up, missing only 13 regular-season games in three seasons.
But times are changing in Sheffield.
The Steelers signed Eamon McAdam from the Guildford Flames this offseason, creating a true safety net behind Greenfield.
Through three seasons in Surrey, Greenfield kept a .919 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average. He also went 47-41-0 and was always reliable when called upon in relief.
There is a debate to be had about who owns the tag as the Elite League’s best goalie — but Sheffield’s tandem is clearly the strongest.
2. Nottingham Panthers | Jason Grande & Kevin Carr
Jason Grande and Kevin Carr is another formidable duo.
Grande joined the Panthers midway through last season and posted outrageous numbers: a 1.72 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage.
Even more impressively, the American recorded three shutouts and kept his cool in the playoffs as Nottingham outlasted the Cardiff Devils in an emotionally-charged final.
Carr is nine years Grande’s senior — and will play a 1B role this term.
The 35-year-old is well known to Elite League fans from his previous stints with the Panthers and Dundee Stars, keeping a .919 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average through 124 regular-season games.
3. Cardiff Devils | Ben Bowns & Christian Stoever
Ben Bowns has never been a sub-.900 netminder in the Elite League.
The 34-year-old enters his fourteenth season with a remarkable resume: a 2.52 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage through 507 regular-season games.
He is a two-time league champion and a Team GB stalwart.
Backing Bowns up this year is Christian Stoever.
The 25-year-old arrives in Cardiff after an impressive collegiate career, which saw him backstop Bowling Green State University with a .912 save percentage and a 2.69 goals-against average.
Albeit unproven as a professional, Stoever’s athleticism and 6-foot-3 frame put him in good stead.
4. Fife Flyers | Shane Owen & Christian Purboo
Nobody has faced more shots in the Elite League than Shane Owen in recent years.
The Canadian limped to a 3-32-0 record last season — but those numbers don’t tell the full story.
Elite League Goaltending: Shane Owen, Fife Flyers (Image: William Cherry)
Playing behind a bruised Fife Flyers squad, 2024-25 wasn’t kind to Owen. But he remains one of the league’s most reliable netminders.
Through eight seasons in the Elite League, Owen holds a sturdy .915 save percentage, despite rarely missing games behind a series of leaky bluelines.
While the 35-year-old is past his peak, Christian Purboo will provide valuable competition in Fife.
The 25-year-old arrives in the Elite League after two impressive seasons in USports, which saw him keep a .927 save percentage and a 2.04 goals-against average.
Untested at the professional level, Purboo is an alluring prospect.
5. Belfast Giants | Jackson Whistle & Alexis Gravel
The Giants enter 2025-26 with a true tandem.
Veteran Jackson Whistle, now in his tenth Elite League season, owns a .913 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average. At 30, he continues to improve and has grown into a genuine rival to Ben Bowns on the international stage.
Newcomer Alexis Gravel brings pedigree and potential. A former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, the 25-year-old impressed as a rookie last year with ECHL Orlando (.927 save percentage, 2.43 goals-against average) and gained DEL experience with Adler Mannheim.
Adam Keefe plans to split the crease evenly until one establishes himself — a competition that could give Belfast one of the league’s best number ones.
6. Coventry Blaze | Mat Robson & Dershahn Stewart
The Blaze will lean heavily on Mat Robson again this season.
The 28-year-old was an iron man last year, playing every game while posting a .911 save percentage and 2.99 goals-against average.
Elite League Goaltending: Mat Robson, Coventry Blaze (Image: James Assinder)
His performances earned high praise from head coach Kevin Moore:
Mat Robson: wow. I think he showed everyone the guts and character that he has. We had talks last season where I would say ‘I’d like to bring in this guy, what do you think?’ and he’s just like ‘no, I can do this, I want the net.’
And, as far as I’m concerned, he was the best goalie in the league and he proved that he could [play every game]. There are special goalies who can play all the time and I’m proud of him for that.”
Behind him, rookie Dershahn Stewart is expected to feature in 10–20 games. The 25-year-old impressed at Adrian College (NCAA III) with a .920 save percentage and 2.21 goals-against average in 77 appearances, but he will need time to adjust to the pro level.
Robson will carry the load — but if Stewart settles quickly, Coventry’s tandem could prove deeper than expected.
7. Dundee Stars | Jarrett Fiske & Emil Kruse
The Dundee Stars enter the season with a fresh tandem.
Jarrett Fiske returns after an impressive rookie season, bringing athleticism and a .913 save percentage.
Emil Kruse, meanwhile, is the high floor, low ceiling option — the 30-year-old Swede has nearly a decade of European hockey under his belt, albeit with less than glittering outcomes in recent years.
8. Guildford Flames | Taz Burman & Justin Fazio
Jake Kupsky’s preseason injury forced the Guildford Flames into an early change, with Justin Fazio signed as injury cover.
Even so, the Flames boast a reliable duo.
Taz Burman impressed in his debut Elite League season, keeping Guildford competitive on tough nights, while Fazio holds a middling record from his time in Italy.
Expect Burman to play a leading role.
9. Manchester Storm | Drew DeRidder & Evan Weninger
The Manchester Storm’s hopes rest on Evan Weninger rediscovering his best form. The Canadian was outstanding in his first Elite League season (.929 save percentage) but slipped to a sub-par .891 clip last year. For the Storm to stay competitive, he needs to bounce back.
Behind him, Drew DeRidder offers upside but is still raw. The 25-year-old has just one pro season under his belt with the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators after finishing his NCAA career at Michigan State and North Dakota.
If Weninger steadies, this tandem has potential — but Manchester can’t afford another dip.
10. Glasgow Clan | Sami Aittokallio & Lucas Brine
Sami Aittokallio gives the Glasgow Clan valuable experience, having featured across Finland, Germany, and Denmark since earning two NHL appearances a decade ago.
Lucas Brine, the 23-year-old Team GB prospect, holds an .888 save percentage through two Elite League seasons — and will play a back-up role.
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