The Syracuse Crunch are turning to a familiar face between the pipes, signing veteran goaltender Jon Gillies to a professional tryout contract. The 32-year-old netminder brings size, experience, and a steady glove back to Syracuse as the team looks to solidify its goaltending depth heading into the heart of the AHL season.
Gillies has already seen action with the Crunch this year, making a strong impression in his lone appearance-a 27-save win over Lehigh Valley on January 17. While it was just one game, it was enough to remind fans and coaches alike that Gillies still has the tools to make an impact at this level.
The bulk of Gillies’ season so far has come with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, where he's logged 27 games and posted an 11-13-2 record with a 2.91 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they reflect a goaltender who’s been a workhorse and kept his team in games consistently.
Last season, he split time between Orlando and the Cincinnati Cyclones, putting up a combined 7-10-2 record. His .922 save percentage in Orlando last year showed flashes of the high-end form that once made him an NHL prospect to watch.
And speaking of the NHL, Gillies has had his share of time at the highest level. From 2016 to 2023, he appeared in 35 NHL games with the Flames, Blues, Devils, and Blue Jackets.
His 8-16-3 record, 3.39 GAA, and .891 save percentage don’t tell the whole story-he was often called into tough situations, backing up or stepping in during injury stretches. Still, his ability to hold his own in the NHL speaks to his experience and resilience.
In the AHL, Gillies has been a steady presence over the years. Since 2015, he’s played in 185 games across six different teams, including previous stints with the Crunch. His 79-71-22 career record in the league, along with a 2.93 GAA and .904 save percentage, paints the picture of a reliable veteran who knows how to navigate the grind of an AHL season.
Originally drafted by Calgary in the third round (75th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Gillies has carved out a journeyman career defined by adaptability and perseverance. At 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds, his size is still an asset, and his experience is invaluable to a Crunch team that may need a calming presence in net as the season wears on.
This signing gives Syracuse another option in goal, whether as a short-term solution or a longer-term contributor depending on how things unfold. Either way, Gillies brings a veteran’s mindset and a proven track record to a team looking to make a push in the second half of the season.