Being a Backup Goaltender Whether it is for a few games or an entire career rarely is there a goalie that has not been a backup goaltender. Since being a backup is a normal part of goaltender development this is an important position. Yes, I just called the backup important. Being a good backup does a lot of good for a hockey team and this was never more evident than in the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Out of the 16-playoff teams, four teams employed their backup goalie for a number of games. One quarter of the playoff teams used backups. Even in the Stanley Cup finals we saw Jussi Markanen, who played excellent, and Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward battle for the silver chalice. The two teams in the finals rode on the shoulders of goaltenders that were not supposed to see a lick of ice time in the playoffs. From this recent example we can direct our discussion about being a good backup.  Being a Backup Goaltender

Mental Aspect Introduction   To be a successful goaltender at ANY level, you have to be fully committed to learning everything you can about the position and about the game of hockey. You need to spend a great deal of time physically training your body, practicing game situations over and over, and working on your mind. This is the missing ingredient for many goalies in reaching their full potential. Mental Aspect Introduction

Keys to Early or Late Game Success Many times throughout the season a game can be won or lost in the first few minutes of a period or the last few minutes of a period.  Although a goaltender wants a pre-game and in-game routine that is sound there are some tendencies within the game that the goalie must be aware of.  First, we will examine the early period/game tendencies to be aware of then we will look at the late period/game tendencies.  Once the tendencies of the game are discussed we will look at some tips for success in those crucial game situations. Keys to Early or Late Game Success

Imagery and Visualization   If you want to take your game to new heights, you should start to practice visualization. To do this, you need to find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Imagery and Visualization

Goaltenders Don’t Forget About the Brain For way too long a lot of goaltenders (many that were supposed to be the next hotshot/rising star), fail to continue their development and fade into the sunset. Many of the goaltenders that make it as high as the WHL, OHL, CJHL, etc.. are probably going to end their hockey career at the Junior level.  Just because a goaltender is playing at a fairly high level does not mean that they should let their schooling and/or brainpower go to the wayside. Goaltenders Don’t Forget About the Brain

Getting In The Zone  Getting into The Zone really means performing automatically- your mind and body are working in total harmony. This happens when you are so confident, completely relaxed, completely free of inhibitions, and so totally free of worries that you perform at your best automatically. Even if you can't get into The Zone, or if you have trouble staying in The Zone, you can train your mind to get closer to The Zone, and significantly improve your performance. Getting In The Zone

Are goalies becoming robots? While watching the NHL and many other levels of hockey we have noticed an increasing problem in the world of goaltending, which needs to be discussed. In the face of the new mobility, compactness and sound recoveries, that are being made, too many goalies have become the same goalie. Young goalies right up to the pros are starting to all play exactly the same pro-fly style. Are goalies becoming robots?

Top 30 Goalie Terms That Really Count  There is a very precise language that goalies and goalie coaches use. The list below should help parents, coaches, and goalies understand the terms that intertwine to make a successful goalie. Top 30 Goalie Terms That Really Count

The Psychology Of Goaltending  We hear this a lot, but we don’t always take the time to fully understand everything that goes into the psychology of goaltending. This article is going to attempt to break this down to very simple concepts. Let’s start with confidence. Confidence is the absolute number one priority in playing at your best. You need to believe, at a subconscious level, that you are good and that you have the ability to stop the puck in every situation that you face. The Psychology Of Goaltending

Goalies Gone Normal: A Little South of Sanity Once found bobbing and twitching in front of nearly every net, the maladjusted N.H.L. goaltender has gone the way of knit sweaters and $10 tickets. The Devils veteran Martin Brodeur was one of the earliest non-neurotic goaltenders. He is well known for his talkative nature. Goalies Gone Normal: A Little South of Sanity

Children's Fitness Tax Credit The Government of Canada proposes to allow, starting in 2007, a non-refundable tax credit on eligible amounts of up to $500 paid by parents to register a child in an eligible program of physical activity. Children's Fitness Tax Credit

Goalies and "The Blame Game" How many times do parents support their goaltender by casting blame on their goalie's team-mates by telling him or her that the defense played terrible, the defense did not clear the rebounds, or games will not be won when only one goal is scored. Such attempts to make your goalie feel better after losing does not promote growth. Trying to soothe your goalie's pain after each loss by blaming his or her team-mates does not solve the current problems that caused the outcome. In cases such as this, just being Mom or Dad is good enough. Goalies and "The Blame Game"

Just Stop the Puck? How many times have you heard a coach say, “All I expect out of my goalie is for him to stop the puck!” Is this an accurate statement regarding the goaltender’s role or does it indicate a lack of understanding towards the goaltending position? Making a statement suggesting that the goaltender’s job is just to stop the puck, is similar to saying that all a defenceman has to do is have the ability to skate backwards. Just Stop the Puck?

Help your Goaltenders Take Pride In All The Little Things They Do Ask a goalie parent how his or her child did after a game, and invariably you get a response that reduces the goalie’s effort to a statistical comparison of saves and goals. “He had a good game. He must have made about 30 saves and only allowed two goals.”  Statistics are good but they are not the only thing that makes a good goalie..... Help your Goaltenders Take Pride In All The Little Things They Do

A Message to Parents ...BE A GOOD GOALIE PARENT  It’s easy being the athlete, but it’s tough being the parent. Unfortunately, it’s the adults that sometimes make it tougher than it should be to be an athlete. Goalies are a unique breed, and their parent’s should be as well. Simply a good goalie parent is one who is “supportive.” My idea of what ‘supportive’ means is outlined below. Be A Good Goalie Parent

Your Stick is your most important tool! One of the biggest if not THE biggest problem I have seen with young goaltenders is an incorrect stance. When your stance is not right, it is not possible to execute your basic saves and moves correctly either. Coaches spend a lot time trying to correct stances when often the problem lies with the stick. Goalies are trying to adapt their stance to a stick that can be too tall or too short or have an incorrect lie. Start your corrections always by checking the stick first. Your Stick is your most important tool!

Buying Goalie Equipment VERY IMPORTANT:  Goalie equipment SHOULD NOT be bought to grow into, it should fit now. Buying Goalie Equipment

Sharpening Your Skates to a Radius Every goalie gets their skates sharpened to a certain radius so that they know the feel of what skating is going to be like every time they step on the ice. Even the ones that just get them sharpened by the team equipment manager still get the same every time even if they don't know what it is. Sharpening Your Skates to a Radius

Goaltending Equipment Changes Effective For The 2008 – 2009 Season This motion is to be in affect for the 2008-2009 hockey season therefore allowing two full seasons for equipment purchase/use transition by the consumer and manufacturer. Goaltending Equipment Changes Effective For The 2008 – 2009 Season