Eric Tu is making waves as the confident young goaltender for the Calgary Hitmen, a team that’s clearly reaping the rewards of entrusting him with the starting role early in the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season. The Hitmen's decision to hand Tu the reins has proven to be a smart move, as his impressive stats suggest.
Tu, a 19-year-old from White Rock, B.C., attributes his confidence to rigorous preparation during practice. As the WHL playoffs approach, Tu emphasizes the importance of self-assurance in his performance.
“It’s huge,” he says. “Being confident in my game means that when the puck drops, I’m ready.”
With the Hitmen set to host the Brandon Wheat Kings in the playoff opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Tu is poised to showcase his skills. His starting position in Game 1 of the first-round best-of-seven series is a testament to his hard work since the Hitmen traded veteran goalie Anders Miller last October. Miller had been instrumental in the team’s previous championship run, so the decision to trade him was significant.
Tu reflects on the opportunity, saying, “It was just an awesome chance for me to start more games and showcase myself. I’ve tried to seize that opportunity by working hard and enjoying every moment.”
Playoff hockey presents a unique challenge, but Tu is unfazed. “Playoff hockey is very different,” he acknowledges. Learning from former teammates like Anders Miller and Daniel Hauser, who have extensive playoff experience, has been invaluable for Tu.
Before this season, Tu had limited experience in the WHL, with only 16 games under his belt during the 2024-25 season, where he posted a 3.50 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage. Despite this, the Hitmen saw potential in Tu, selecting him in the second round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
His promising stint with St. George’s School U15 Prep squad, where he recorded a 2.73 GAA and a .914 save percentage, marked him as a future star.
Now, as Tu steps into the spotlight, the Hitmen’s trust in their young goaltender seems well-placed, setting the stage for what could be an exciting playoff run.