Zachary Fucale, selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 2013 draft, is living proof that a path to the NHL is rarely linear.

After years of shuttling between the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL, the Quebec-born goaltender seems to have found his groove in the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk.

The numbers speak for themselves: last season, Zachary Fucale posted an impressive record of 24 wins, 17 losses, and 4 ties, with a goals-against average of 2.16 and a save percentage of .929.

This year, he continues his strong play with a record of 14-8-2, a 2.07 GAA, and a .924 save percentage.

These performances have not gone unnoticed.

An Imminent NHL Return for Goalie Zach Fucale?

Zachary Fucale recently changed agents, now being represented by Dan Milstein, known for his strong connections in the hockey world.

This strategic move is aimed at preparing his return to North America for the 2025-2026 season.

According to Kevin Weekes, several NHL teams are already showing interest in his services.

This resurgence is no coincidence.

After winning the Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears in 2022-2023, Zachary Fucale demonstrated he could perform under pressure.

However, he had to go to the KHL to get a real chance to elevate his game.

Now, at 29 years old, he has the experience and maturity needed to compete at the highest level.

The challenge remains significant.

Even if he excels there, he will need to prove his worth as a potential backup or starting goaltender in the NHL.

If Zachary Fucale manages to make it back to the NHL, it will be a remarkable comeback for a goalie who never stopped believing in his potential, despite the hurdles.

With a new opportunity on the horizon, all eyes will be on him to see if he can capitalize on it.

According to many, he could even be a solution for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens to replace Cayden Primeau, who has faced numerous struggles this season in the NHL.