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Prospect Watch: Jean-Francois Berube Update 1.0

By Eric Fleischmann

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RinkRoyalty will be reviewing the progress of Los Angeles Kings prospects every Wednesday as the season continues to roll along.

This week’s edition takes a look at goaltender Jean-Francois Berube.

You may already know the name, Berube has worn a Kings jersey this season.

Unfortunately for him, he only wore the jersey to fill in as Jonathan Quick’s backup.

Berube was called-up to the Kings on January 17th, when Kings regular backup goaltender Martin Jones went out with back spasms.

It’s Berube’s second stint with the Kings.  From L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen, Berube joined the Kings last season on the bench.  Berube served as Quick’s backup while Martin Jones went down to start for the Monarchs to get some regular ice-time after a long break.

So let’s get back to the beginning.

Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings /

Los Angeles Kings

Jean-Francois Berube is a 6’1, 170 pound goaltender from Repentingny, Quebec; a small suburban island near Montreal.

Berube played two season with the Montreal Juniors in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2008-2010.  In 2009 Berube was drafted in the 4th round, 95th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings.

At the end of the 2009-2010 season Berube made the jump up to the AHL.  In 3 short games Berube got a swift reality check.  His first foray into professional hockey left Jean-Francois with a 3.67 goals against average (GAA) and a .855 save percentage (SV%); the worst SV% of his career.

After one more season in junior hockey Berube made a softer transition.  In 2011-2012 he joined the Kings East Coast Hockey League, and soon to be AHL, affiliate the Ontario Reign.  In 37 games with the Reign Berube posted a 2.87 GAA, and a .907 SV%.

In 2012-2013 Berube split time between the Reign and the Monarchs.  In 2 games with the Monarchs Berube struggled allowing a 4.32 GAA, his career worst, and a .870 SV%.  Playing a majority of his time with the Reign Berube lead the team to the playoffs.  In 10 ECHL playoff games Berube had a 2.07 GAA, and a .914 SV%.

The 2013-2014 season would be Berube’s first as an AHL starter.

Berube would start 49 games last season, putting him in the AHL’s top 5 for time between the pipes.  Berube’s record was 28-17-0-2, with 3 shutouts.  His 28 wins put him in 3rd place among all AHL goaltenders.  Over one stretch Berube set a Monarchs team record, starting 24 consecutive games.

For his efforts Berube helped lead the team to the Calder Cup finals.  Unfortunately the Monarchs were beaten by the Norfolk Admirals.  Berube pitched a shutout in the teams only win of the series.

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In his second full year with the Monarchs Berube is unquestionably the starting goaltender.  In 28 starts this season he is 20-4-1-2 with 2 shutouts, a 1.99 GAA, and a .922 SV%.

Berube’s 20 wins are an AHL league best.  He’s 4th in GAA and 15th in SV%.

After returning from his NHL call-up assignment with the Kings Berube was selected, and participated in, his first AHL All-Star game.  Berube didn’t look like such an All-Star in the game.  He allowed 6 goals.

Berube’s strength is his lateral movement and his agility.  After talking with Kings Insider Jon Rosen, Berube told Rosen that this season he’s been “. . . improving a lot of little details.”

As Berube knows that what it takes to get to the next level: patience and improving all the little details.

We’ll continue to watch Berube’s progression as the AHL finishes the second half of their season and the Monarchs head into the playoffs!

Next: Kings Walloped in Washington

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