Sometimes, development isn’t just measured by a single save or a stat line.
For Kingston Frontenacs netminder Gavin Betts, his biggest strides came after overcoming adversity.
With two solid goaltenders, the 2024 OHL Priority Selection second-round selection often found himself sharing the crease with partner Matthew Minchak. Down the stretch, however, it was Betts who became Kingston’s go-to. After posting a 2.81 goals-against average and .905 save percentage, Betts helped steady the Frontenacs late in the season while continuing to establish himself as one of the league’s promising young goaltenders in his first full season.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Toronto, ON native.
“I had a lot of fun this year, and I was really happy with the development I experienced throughout the season,” Betts said. “In the first half, I was playing below the level that I knew I was capable of, and there was definitely frustration and adversity that came with that. But those challenges went hand in hand with the growth I experienced because I learned so much from them.
“Going into the second half, I felt like I was able to apply the things I had learned, and I was really happy with the progress I made, both on and off the ice.”
Frontenacs General Manager Kory Cooper was able to see that maturity firsthand.
“I don’t know if there was one particular moment where you could point to his growth,” Cooper said. “He was definitely frustrated with himself over the first half of the season because he wasn’t getting the results he believed he was capable of. What impressed me was that he stayed with it. He kept working every day, continued to grind and trusted the process. As the second half of the season went on, you could really see his game evolve.”
As a former OHL and professional goaltender himself, Cooper understood exactly what Betts was experiencing.
“We had a lot of conversations throughout the season,” Cooper said. “As a goalie, you’re going to go through ups and downs, and those moments help build your character and your game. Gavin is a mature player, and he stayed the course the entire time.”
Sharing the crease with Minchak helped foster both a close friendship and a competitive environment that helped elevate each goaltender throughout the season.
“Matthew was an incredible goalie partner throughout the year,” Betts said. “As the season progressed, we became really close. We were roommates on the road, spent time together off the ice and built a great friendship.
“There was definitely internal competition between us, but we were able to separate that from our friendship. Off the ice, we supported each other, and on the ice, we pushed each other every day. Iron sharpens iron, and I think we brought the best out of each other.”
Cooper agreed that the relationship and inner competition benefited both players.
“They were genuinely happy for each other when one was playing well and getting results,” he said. “At the same time, they’re competitors. Both of them wanted the net. I definitely believe that internal competition helped both of them improve over the course of the season.”
Betts’ strong finish earned him an invitation to the Tampa Bay Lightning Development Camp earlier this summer, giving him a firsthand look at the professional level.
“The development camp was an awesome experience,” Betts said. “I learned so much, and I’m really excited to apply everything I took away to my game this upcoming season.”
Working closely with the Lightning’s goalie department proved especially valuable.
“We worked closely with the goalie staff throughout the week, and everything felt very personalized. The feedback was excellent, and the information was really accessible. We were encouraged to ask questions, and I definitely took advantage of that.”
One of the week’s highlights came when Lightning star and starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy joined one of the team’s video sessions.
“Frantz Jean, the goalie coach in Tampa Bay, has worked with Vasilevskiy throughout his career, so being able to learn from him was incredible,” Betts said. “During one of our video sessions, Vasilevskiy even joined us and sat in. It was pretty surreal to be in the same room as one of the best goaltenders in the world.”
Cooper believes the experience will only accelerate Betts’ development.
“He absolutely deserved the opportunity because of the work he puts in every single day,” Cooper said. “His routines, habits, preparation and attention to detail are the intangibles that are going to help him continue climbing to higher levels.”
While Betts’ development in goal has been impressive, his impact away from the rink may be even more meaningful.
Earlier this month, he received the 2026 Dayna Brons Honorary Award in recognition of his work as a Hockey Gives Blood Player Ambassador, using his platform to promote blood, stem cell, organ and tissue donation throughout the Kingston community.
For Betts, that commitment began by following the example of players who came before him.
“I was really inspired by the players who came before me,” he said. “One player in particular was Mason Vaccari. As a 16-year-old, I looked up to him because of the impact he had off the ice through Mason’s Miracles.
“When the opportunity came to become Kingston’s Hockey Gives Blood player ambassador, I thought it was an incredible opportunity. Working with Hockey Gives Blood has been an amazing experience. It’s an incredible organization that gives players like me the chance to make a real difference in the community. Being able to use hockey to have that kind of impact has meant a lot to me.”
Cooper says Betts exemplifies the values the organization hopes every player will embrace.
“It’s part of our culture and our core values,” Cooper said. “We believe that better people make better players, and Gavin is at the forefront of that. He cares deeply about Kingston and this team, and he consistently puts those things ahead of himself. He’s a leader in our room.”
With another season in Kingston ahead, Betts enters 2026-27 carrying both greater expectations and greater confidence.
“As a group, our expectations are much higher than they were last season,” Betts said. “Personally, my biggest goal every summer is to improve my game and continue growing as a goaltender. I think my individual goals really align with what we’re trying to accomplish as a team.”
For Betts, continuing to grow means more than stopping pucks. It’s about becoming the kind of teammate, leader and community member that leaves a lasting impact long after the final buzzer.
