Like father, like son: Huet looking to follow dad’s NHL path

Ewan Huet has goaltending in his blood.

The 18-year-old Regina Pats goaltender is the son of Stanley Cup-champion Cristobal Huet, who is ecstatic to see his son carving his own path.

“I think I have a lot of respect for my parents for the stress I caused,” the elder Huet said. “It’s great. I’m really proud. It’s great to watch and see him follow his dream.

“I’m just happy for him to do what he loves and I’m going to support him in any way I can to reach whatever level he wants to go.”

Ewan has a lot of respect for his father.

“It was great being able to watch him play hockey until he was 42 – I guess until I was 13 years old,” Ewan said. “Being able to have someone to speak with at home about hockey and just being able to talk hockey with him and go on the ice with him as a kid, it’s some of my best memories. It’s great.”

Cristobal enjoyed a successful career both in the NHL and in Europe. He became the first player from France to win the Stanley Cup in 2010 when he accomplished the feat with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Although Ewan was young, he was there to witness that moment.

“He was coming to a lot of games and he really enjoyed the whole thing,” Cristobal recalled.

Cristobal eventually returned to Europe after his NHL career finished in 2010, and he played overseas until 2018.

While there, he was a coach for the first few years of Ewan’s hockey journey.

“We were living in a small village with a small hockey team so everyone was doing a little bit of something,” Cristobal said. “I was in charge of the goalies and that was good for me and him too but I think after a certain point, it’s good if the parent steps away.

“We can still talk about hockey when he got home and other stuff, but I think you have to let the coaches do their job and support him. Same with his brother; his brother is a goalie too. We talk a lot about hockey and it’s just about supporting him and when he’s down, lifting him up a little bit. (I’m) just being a parent.”

As Ewan got older, the draw of playing hockey in Canada grew stronger.

“We talked about that the last three years because for his own development, I thought going away would be beneficial,” Cristobal said. “The last two years, he had some exposure with the U-18 world championship. Last year before the Pats drafted him, he had some opportunity to play pro here in Switzerland but maybe as a backup in the Second Division, but right away he said he wanted to play in Canada.

“That’s his decision and that’s what he wants to do and that’s great for me. I think it’s a great choice because junior hockey is high level and there’s a lot of exposure and there’s a lot of games for goalies to play. You get the challenges of the ups and downs and nothing better than this.”

Ewan was given the opportunity after the Pats took him 36th overall in the 2023 CHL import draft.

“It’s an experience,” Ewan said. “Playing hockey in Canada was a dream since I was young. I think the WHL, it doesn’t get better than that in youth hockey.

“Coming overseas, it’s more than hockey. It’s being able to speak English and get in a new culture. It’s way different than what we get in Europe. so I’m honoured to be part of the Pats.”

So far, Huet has a 3.69 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage in his first season in the WHL.

While Cristobal represented Team France on the world stage, Ewan has dual French-Swiss citizenship and is representing the latter at the 2024 IIHF world junior hockey championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“It’s a great feeling. It’s just an honour to be part of this and when you see the notification of the email, you’re just happy,” Ewan said. “We’re a small nation but I think we are capable of doing great things and we have shown it over the past few years. We have some goals and we are more than capable of reaching them.”

Cristobal is excited to see his son play — especially with it being so close to home.

“I’m going to watch all the games but it’s going to be easier; there’s no time difference for me compared to (Canada),” he said. “It’s going to be awesome and I think he’s very proud to play for Switzerland even though I played for Team France and he has two nationalities – definitely more Swiss than French.

“I know he’s going to be proud and emotional playing those games.”

Switzerland’s first game of the tournament is Wednesday against Slovakia. Puck drop is set for noon.

“I think it’s a big deal for every team that participates in it. Switzerland is a hockey country and I remember as a kid watching it and it’s always on TV and playing in those big rinks. It means a lot, especially in Sweden and back in Europe,” Ewan said.