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Oettinger already ranks sixth in NHL history among Minnesota- born goalies. Frank Brimsek, born in Eveleth in 1915, leads the way with 252 wins in 514 games. Jon Casey, born in Grand Rapids in 1962, ranks second with 170 wins in 425 games. Oettinger doesn't understand why Minnesota has developed so many NHL skaters yet not goalies. "It's a weird thing just consid- ering how many players we have," Oettinger said. "Hopefully, me and then Charlie (Lindgren of the Washington Capitals) could maybe change the narrative a little bit. And I know when I'm done playing hockey, I'm going to be coaching my ( butt) off to try to get as many Minnesota kids in the NHL. So hopefully I can change that and maybe be a starting point to hopefully a lot of Minnesota goalies." Oettinger, who played three years at Boston University and was drafted by the Stars in the they're probably like, 'Who cares?' But if you're from here, obviously you know how cool that whole weekend is." Oettinger was only 15 years old in 2014, but he backstopped the Panthers all the way to the state championship before their title hopes ended at the hands of Edina. The next year, in 2015, Oettinger went on to play for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Michigan, but he rooted on Lakeville North from afar and the school ended up beating Duluth East for a state championship. "They cut the dead weight (in goal) and won state," Oettinger, with a big chuckle, joked. "No, but that was amazing. Just to see those guys get it done was really cool." Oettinger grew up with the Poehling brothers, and Nick Poehling had a goal and three assists in the state final with brother Jack adding the eventual winning goal and two assists and brother Ryan chipping in the opening goal during the Panthers' 4-1 victory. "To have played with (the Poehlings) growing up and then get the chance to play the state tournament with them was spe- cial," Oettinger said. "Those were the guys who I watched every state tournament with growing up (as a fan). I remember the first year my dad let me go without any parents and stuff and going to the expo in between the sessions and all that stuff, it's that stuff that makes it so special. I hope that tourney stays the way it is because it 's one of the coolest things about being from Minnesota." CHANGING THE NARRATIVE Even though Oettinger will be in a playoff push this coming March with a team that has been one of the best in the Central Division all season in large part because of him, Oettinger will be keeping one eye on the Minnesota state high school tournament. And he hopes young Minnesota goalies begin to look at him as somebody to aspire to be like. According to quanthockey.com, there have only been 13 Minnesota-born goalies that have played more than 10 NHL games and 23 in total to have played an NHL game. Oettinger is one of eight Minnesotans to play more than 100 NHL games. With 59 career wins through Jan. 10, M H J O N L I N E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 3 30 Russo's Rants "He was the one that really believed in me and picked me out of nowhere as a young kid who could play with some potential." –Oettinger on goalie coach Kevin Reiter Oettinger starred for Team USA in a 4-3 shootout victory against Canada in the 2018 World Juniors outdoor game in Buffalo.