Schneider a Piece to the Puzzle for Game 7
Cory Schneider may have not expected to hit the ice when heading into the Stanley Cup finals, but now after game six he has tallied up 65 minutes of play and has faced a fair amount of rubber within the time in goal, holding out 39 shots.
Being in net is known to be one of the toughest positions to play in hockey. A position where it has been evident in how success can fall on a goalies shoulders due to how they perform. Looking for success, goaltenders prepare meticulously day in and day, going through repetition in practice and analyzing video and critiquing tendencies of opponents.
Now, for a backup goaltender this is a whole different story. A goalie is now asked to play a supportive role to the starting goaltender. The bench becomes a separate home to the crease where the number two encourages teammates and discusses everything tactical for the team. Holding their job, several coaches resort to having their backup recording stats and the oppositions motives during games. Ice time in practices has to be fought for at times, and is pressured in to go beyond the sixty minutes of practice time for extra ice.
Looking to this years playoffs a rare occasion was presented to Cory Schneider. Heading into the post-season he was settled in knowing that he was looked upon to play a supporting role to starting goaltender Roberto Luongo. Displaying his ability to adapt when called upon through the Vancouver Canucks playoff run, Schneider has presented his incredible mental focus through being emotionally flexible.
Continually owning and developing his skills with great effort during practice and through off-ice training he has prepared himself for every opportunity to play, even if his chance of playing is minimal. As a backup through the playoffs there has never been an instance where he has stopped caring or working hard, knowing that in doing this he would only set himself up for failure.
Heading to Vancouver for game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, this will be the last deciding game and end to the 2011 cup run. With the series dead locked at 3-3 tie, the President Trophy recipients have received the right to hold the game back home. Holding in his pride, Schnedier has been a strong value to the final chapter as he went 16-4-2 when called upon during the season. Previously in his goaltending career with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL he was known as the teams starting goaltender and was represented as the teams backbone holding the team in numerous games throughout both the season and the playoffs. In 2007 he was named the league's Goaltender of the Year following his second season. Previously before his professional career, he backstopped Boston College to a record setting sixth Lamoriello Trophy in team history as East Champions.
Stepping into his first full season on an NHL roster, Schnedier has resisted the urge to stop caring and be disheartened. Known as a competitor he has always put in a full effort battling to challenge his teammates in practice, setting a standard for the character of he he wants to be known.
Young goaltenders moving forward through their hockey career can learn a lot through past experiences such as contributing to the team unit in a more supportive role. Too often, when a goaltender is placed as a backup through a playoff run they layer and allow frustration and disappointment to set in. Becoming so highly focused on the present will cause a goaltender to eventually give up. Contrary for both Vancouver Canucks goaltenders, both have overcome many challenges to get to where they have climbed to get to today.
Schneider will be noticed for his emotional control and ability to adapt throughout the season and playoffs...no matter how game 7 ends.
Previously training with GDI National Consulting Camps and being under mentorship from NHL Goaltending Consultant Ian Clark, Cory Schnedier displays an impeccable technical foundation. Quickly acquiring read and anticipatory skills over the course of his full NHL season he has started to settle into a promising career. Below is a past video of Schnedier being put through the paces in a repetitive post-save recovery drill.
Goaltending Creating a New Look
Controversy was at an all time high with every goaltending critic debating whether Roberto Luongo should start or not in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Quieting the debate, a 31 save performance helped hold the Vancouver Canucks in the low scoring affair.
Last years playoffs had Antti Niemi allowing one goal against with a 2-1 victory in game two to cap the lowest goals against among the games played in the best of seven final. More outstanding was the goals against ratio at the end of the series which was 22 for Chicago and 25 for Philadelphia.
Turning back to the present matchup of Luongo and Thomas in their battle to be the best, it is nearly impossible to guess how each game will turn out. The beauty of it is that both goaltenders have showed resilience to the critics and naysayers out there, and have ultimately shown both themselves and their team that they can perform under pressure.
As the 09/10 Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks captured the cup in six games, the Canucks have an almost similar approach as they too were up two games to none in the series, allowed the series to be tied at two a piece, and then took the lead. No matter what the result, lets hope on Monday night fans are glued to their seats due to both goaltenders proving their worth for the full 60 minutes!
Columbus Blue Jackets Name Ian Clark Goaltending Coach
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced June 6 that Ian Clark has joined the organization as goaltending coach. Clark most recently served as the Vancouver Canucks goaltending coach and consultant from 2002-10. "We are very pleased to welcome Ian to our coaching staff," said Blue Jackets Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson. "He has a tremendous amount of experience working with NHL goaltenders and helping them improve their level of play. We look forward to him working with all of our goaltenders and strengthening that position throughout our organization."
"Having worked with Ian in the past, I believe his work ethic, knowledge of the goaltending position and the way he communicates with players will make him an excellent addition to our staff," said Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel. “He has worked with a number of very successful NHL goaltenders and will be a great resource for our players at this very important position."
In addition to his eight years with the Canucks organization, Clark was also a member of Team Canada's coaching staff at the World Junior Championships from 2003-06, winning silver medals in 2003 and 2004 and capturing gold in 2005 and 2006. He also served as the Florida Panthers goaltending consultant in 2001-02. The list of goaltenders he has worked with includes Roberto Luongo, Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fleury, Cory Schneider, Andrew Raycroft, Johan Hedberg and Mathieu Garon.
Clark, 45, is recognized as a leading educator of the goaltending position as his knowledge and innovative approach has attracted high-performance goaltenders at the NHL, minor pro, major junior and NCAA levels. He was the founder of the Goaltender Development Institute and served as technical author of From the Crease – The Self Development Guide to Hockey Goaltending from 1998-2003 and The Goalie News from 2003-08.For more on the article Click Here.
Luongo Heads into Cup Final
In years past, the fact that Olympic gold was not enough to shut up his naysayers would have eaten at him. Even if he wasn't on top of his game for Team Canada, it was good enough. Not in the minds of some observers, however.
No matter. This is a different Roberto Luongo, a guy who no longer seems to take every barb to heart.
And you can point to a moment last month as a key in this change of attitude, one that brought clarity to the Vancouver Canucks goaltender.
Back in late April, hours before Game 7 of the first-round series between the Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks, Luongo, wearing a hoody and headphones, walked along the sea wall that separates Vancouver from the Pacific. With the hoody pulled up, passers-by had no clue it was him.
This was his way, he admits now, "of clearing my head, of putting things into perspective."
Asked what was playing on his headphones at the time, Luongo replied: "Well, it wasn't Celine Dion."
What it was, was a motivational tape, something he needed at that point. For more on this article by Wike Zeisberger Click Here.
GDI Goalies Head to NHL Entry Draft
GDI goaltenders around the globe look to make the next step from junior to pro at the end of June in this years NHL Entry Draft.
Taking center stage at this years draft among North American goaltenders is long-time GDI National Camp student Laurent Broissoit who is ranked 7th. From the European rankings, Stefan Steen of Sweeden who spent time at GDI Alberta's Training Center in the summer is ranked 9th overall.
Jason Kasdorf from the Portage Terriers was ranked 10th among all the prospects and had previously trained at GDI Prairies Training Center, along with Corbin Boes from the Brandon Wheat Kings who is placed 20th.
GDI trained Jan Obernesser of the AJHL Brooks Bandits was also ranked 22nd.
For the full list of this years North American eligible goaltenders for the draft Click Here. For European goaltender rankings Click Here.
Manitoba's Reimer Secures NHL Spot
Playing out of Interlake for two years of Midget AAA, James Reimer matured quickly - playing in the Western Hockey League with the Red Deer Rebels for three seasons. After, within two years of playing Minor Pro he now has found his way into a NHL roster spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On Febraury 4th Reimer helped the Leafs beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 posting his first shutout, and was awarded the first star of the game. More remarkable this came on only his 9th game playing at the professional level, recording a 5 wins and 3 losses with a save percentage of .940 with a 1.96 GAA.
On Wednesday evening, the most important of Reimer's 27 saves came on a Chad LaRose breakaway late in the second period. It ensured that the Leafs entered the final 20 minutes with a 2-0 lead. "He made a big save on Rosie," Staal said. "That would have cut it to 2-1 and we're feeling better going into the third period. But it was too late for us to get it going." This is something for every young goaltender to take note of! A goaltender that can provide his team with a chance to win with those un-natural and unsuspected saves gives a drive of confidence.
This build of security not only is noticed by a goaltenders team, but also their coaching staff. Leafs coach Ron Wilson was cautious in his assessment of Reimer's play, but made it pretty clear who his two goalies are likely to be for the final 31 games of the regular season."I have no hesitation to play him or (J.S. Giguere)," Wilson said. "I think it's horses for courses right now."
Reimer's emergence has been a big surprise in Toronto, where he's elbowed Jonas Gustavsson out of a job for the time being.
If your looking for a goaltender to look up to and shadow aspects of your game to look no further. Reimer's strong technical game has been evident through his calm and controlled demeanor.
For more info and the full article on this game Click Here.
Gorilla-sized goalies populate NHL
How big are goalies these days? Big enough to fill in for the guys charged with the task of protecting them, if need be.
Former NHL puckstopper Kevin Weekes is a large man himself, but even he can’t help but marvel at the current size of crease creatures such as Montreal’s MVP, 6-foot-3, 219-pound Carey Price.
“When I saw Carey for the first time last year – in person, not playing against him, but actually in the rink when I spoke to him in Edmonton – he’s stay-at-home defenseman big,” Weekes said. “I’m 6-foot-1 and I can go anywhere between 215 and 225. I’m muscular, but this guy is muscular and tall. He could just as easily be a shutdown ‘D’ crunching guys along the boards.”
I spoke with Weekes about Price because he’s the subject of a cover story for an upcoming goalie-themed issue of The Hockey News. A few other components of that issue include introducing some new-to-the-scene masked men, such as 6-foot-2 Corey Crawford in Chicago, 6-foot-6 Anders Lindback in Nashville and 6-foot-3 Ondrej Pavelec in Atlanta. It also has a top 30 goalie ranking, where players such as 6-foot-2 Jonas Hiller of Anaheim and Lindback’s Nashville buddy, 6-foot-5 Pekka Rinne, receive high praise.
The shift in goal isn’t just about long and lanky stoppers. Some of the best goalies in the game now are also some of the strongest athletes in hockey, period. Once upon a time, big and bulky seemed counter to quick and nimble, but with goaltending techniques more finely crafted than ever, it’s led to the desire for big, puck-blocking physiques.
“There’s less of a stigma that comes with being a muscular goalie,” Weekes said. “People used to always say, ‘Weeksie, you’re a goalie, why are you lifting weights?’
“Jonas Hiller is a perfect example. Very strong, explosive lower body and that’s what helps him play the style he plays so effectively.”
Goaltending is about the most bottom-line position in sports, so anybody getting the job done consistently is going to find work. But more and more, the big bodies that used to either whack home or clear rebounds in front of the crease can now be found standing directly in it.
To read more about this article from Ryan Dixon - The Hockey News Magazine - Click Here.
Interested in off-season training programs? GDI offers flexibility and hand-eye packages and also features monthly training in the off-season. Click here for more info.
NHL Backup Job Far From Easy
Is there a tougher job in major league sports than the seldom-used backup NHL goaltender?
Being a pro football kicker sure requires a thick skin and steely nerves; the line between hero or goat is thin and crossing it can be at the mercy of weather, even a bad snap. But at least kickers get their chances every game.
If you’ve backed-up for guys like Martin Brodeur, Miikka Kiprusoff or Henrik Lundqvist in recent seasons, you’re lucky to have seen action 10 times during a campaign. And when you do it’s generally against competition deemed inferior, so you better perform.
Imagine a work scenario where 90 percent of the time you were just a sounding board for others to bounce ideas off. But when you were asked for input once every few weeks, you were expected to offer up a winner. Substitute practice shots and dekes for ideas then throw in a rare starting gig and you understand something of the plight of a little-used NHL backup.
Montreal’s Alex Auld is one of those guys this season. The Canadiens have played more than 2100 minutes of hockey and Auld has been something other than a spectator for just 179 of them; less than nine percent of the campaign.
“It’s tough, but you can’t make any excuses,” Auld said when asked after a recent losing effort about staying on his game mentally and physically. “That’s the role I’m in and Carey has been fantastic. It’s my job to give him a rest when he needs it and make sure I give my team a chance to win.”
Carey is, of course, Carey Price, a top Vezina Trophy contender with more wins, and more minutes played, than any netminder in the league. That is something Auld may not have expected when he signed with Montreal over the summer.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played fewer than 24 games since becoming a full-time NHLer in 2005 and has battled for a No. 1 job as recently as two seasons ago. After the way Price was overtaken by Jaro Halak last season, Auld wouldn’t have been faulted for thinking he’d play more than he has so far this season. On a one-year, $1-million deal, it’s looking like Auld won’t have much of a chance to show what he can do before free agency hits again.
The native Albertan has shown well though, posting a 2.01 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage. But he has just one win in three games. And those losses are hard on a guy who is under pressure to win every time he plays.
“In some ways I (gave my team a winning chance) tonight and in some ways I didn’t,” a disconsolate Auld said after that loss. “I feel if just keep working and work on consistency, I’ll be able to put this behind me and move on and get ready for the next one.”
He’s certainly had time to do so. That loss was more than two weeks ago and Auld hasn’t seen a second of game time since. Let’s see if he gets a chance to play Sunday during an expected walkover of the Islanders. After all, it’s Boxing Day, when rare chances at victories (shopping and, in Auld’s case, hockey) are there for the taking, assuming you make the most of them.
If not, there’s always 2011.
This article was written by John Grigg, a copy editor and writer with The Hockey News, from his personal blog.
Alex Auld has trained previously under GDI, being mentored when playing previously with the Manitoba Moose and Vancouver Canucks.
Fleury's hot play a big reason for Penguins' win streak
"Knock on wood," Fleury said, giggling ever so slightly, after making 23 saves in a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
When was the last time the Penguins' goalie can remember being as hot as he is right now?
"I don't know, maybe bantam, something like that," Fleury said after winning his 10th straight game. "It's been a while. I really don't know. I can't remember."
He definitely can remember the last time he was colder than Pittsburgh's December air. It was only about 40 days ago, but Fleury seems as far removed from his horrific start to the 2010-11 NHL season as he is from those bantam days in Sorel, Que.
Fleury will carry his personal winning streak into Saturday's game at Buffalo, where the Penguins will go for their 12th in a row. He has a 1.59 goals-against average and .945 save percentage during his streak, but Fleury hasn't lost in regulation since Nov. 5 at Anaheim, when he gave up three goals on 19 shots.
He was pulled from his next start when he allowed two goals on just five shots in less than seven minutes at Phoenix, but ever since Fleury has been virtually unbeatable.
He was 1-6 with an .853 save percentage and 3.55 goals-against average after his first eight games. He's now 13-6-1 with a .912 save percentage and 2.33 GAA.
"He's good old 'Flower,'" Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis said. "That's what he does. He wins games for us and he's making key saves. Obviously we saw what happened at the start of the season. Bounces weren't going his way, but we knew it was just a matter of time until he was back on his game. He's helping us win key hockey games right now."
From Dupuis to Sidney Crosby to coach Dan Bylsma and GM Ray Shero, they all say there never was a doubt in their minds that Fleury would work his way out of his funk.
To read more click here.
CHICAGO (AP) -Roberto Luongo made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season and 53rd overall, leading the Vancouver Canucks to their fourth straight victory, 3-0 over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
Stanley Cup champion Chicago suffered its eighth regulation loss at home, matching its regular-season total from last season. The Blackhawks are 6-8-0 at home after going 29-8-4 last season at United Center.
Tanner Glass, Christian Ehrhoff and Henrik Sedin scored to give the Canucks and Luongo the all the offense they needed to avenge a 7-1 home loss to the Blackhawks on Nov. 20.Sedin's goal was his first since Nov. 4 and ended an 11-game drought.Chicago has eliminated Vancouver from the playoffs in the past two seasons, each time in the second round.
The Role of Goalie Coaches Grows
The relationship between a goaltender and a goalie coach is more than just about finding ways to stop the puck. The off-ice part of the relationship is every bit as important as what happens on the ice.
"I think it's really important you have a good relationship so you can talk about everything," Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne told NHL.com. "Sometimes it's not always about hockey. If something is on your mind, it's a good thing if you can talk about it with your goalie coach."New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro has plenty of experience dealing with goalie coach Mike Dunham -- mainly because they played together in Dunham's final NHL season as a player in 2006-07.
"We have a great relationship," DiPietro said. "He knows my game, having played with me before he retired. It's always nice to have that extra set of eyes."
DiPietro considers Dunham a good friend and said it's nice to have someone in your corner throughout the season.
"It's huge. Especially with someone who has had the opportunity to play in the NHL," he said. "He knows the ups and downs and how hard it can be sometimes. It's nice to have a set of ears to talk to especially when you're struggling."
When it comes to on-ice relationships, Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings says it's very important to have a positive relationship with his goalie coach, Jim Bedard, who often is able to detect flaws in the Calder Trophy finalist's game.
"Goalie coaches are tremendously important," Howard said. "Goalie has become a specialized position and with a goalie coach, he can usually pick up if you're doing something wrong and he can help your game in the long run."
Offseason communication is also very important -- summer may be vacation time, but that doesn't mean goalies and coaches stop talking. The communication continues, and there is a certain level of trust on each side so that when September comes around, both sides can pick up where they let off last season.
"During the offseason, we talk on the phone and through e-mail," Rinne said. "It's more of a laid back version of the season. We have a good relationship and we talk about anything."
STORY COURTESY NHL.COM
The Landscape of Goaltending in Today's NHL
If one position has redefined itself in the five post-lockout NHL seasons, that position is being a goaltender.Previously, goaltending was the crux of an NHL team; having a marquee goaltender in net was a must for any team to have any reasonable chance of success.
The 10 seasons from 1995 through 2004 only saw five different NHL teams hoist the Stanley Cup; Colorado (1996, 2001), Dallas (1999), Detroit (1997, 1998, 2002), New Jersey (1995, 2000, 2003), and Tampa Bay (2004). Unsurprisingly, each and every team had top-tier goaltending from the likes of players such as Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, Martin Brodeur, and Dominik Hasek.
Times have changed. Smaller goalie pads and less freedom for defensemen to obstruct the opposition has opened things up completely.
Scoring is up, job security for goaltenders is down.
To view more on this article click here.
Pickard headed for a rocky mountain high
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITIONLOS ANGELES -
Winnipeg native and Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Calvin Pickard has been selected 49th overall by the Colorado Avalanche at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Pickard is the first Manitoban to be chosen on Saturday.
Dylan McIlrath and Quinton Howden were chosen on Friday night in the first round. McIlrath went 10th to the New York Rangers and Howden 25th to the Florida Panthers.
Vezina Winner - Ryan Miller
Everyone started to notice him, but specially after his charge in the 2010 Olympics. At this years NHL Awards Ryan Miller took home the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.Take a look at an article that NHL.com wrote up about Miller's award winning night and year.
LAS VEGAS -- When he was a kid, Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said he loved buying "decks" of hockey trading cards.
"It was so cool to see the cards with the award winners," Miller said.
On Wednesday night, Miller might have been imaging what his trading card will look like this coming season: He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's outstanding goaltender, walking to the stage at the NHL Awards Show after standing in a threesome with fellow finalists Martin Brodeur and Ilya Bryzgalov.
"I look up to Marty quite a bit," Miller said of the four-time Vezina winner from New Jersey. "And Bryzgalov and I came into the American League at the same time, so it's been really fun watching him progress. He played with my brother Drew for a while, so I knew what kind of stand-up, character guy he was."
Backstage, Miller talked about the heroes whose names are engraved on the Vezina, including Brodeur and former Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek. He also noticed Jacques Plante, the legendary Montreal goalie who is credited with inventing the mask, stopping for a moment to catch up with his emotions.
For the full article on NHL.com Click Here.
Netcrashing...The Best Way To Win the Cup?
One of TSN's latest posts is an interesting article with the topic on what is the best tactic for winning the Stanley Cup.
This year, the 2 teams in the cup final got there in a similar fashion using grit, skill, and a battle mentality
in front of the net and in the corners.
Observing how any team can withstand the 7 game series time after time on the long road to the finals, it is evident that each teams goaltender becomes the backbone of the team.
Observing how any team can withstand the 7 game series time after time on the long road to the finals, it is evident that each teams goaltender becomes the backbone of the team.
Roberto Luongo gets pointers from Ian Clark, his goaltending consultant, at practice Friday.
VANCOUVER -- Roberto Luongo says the slumps dogging his NHL season have taught him he's only human. But the Vancouver Canucks netminder is feeling refreshed after a couple of days off, a session with goaltending consultant Ian Clark {Founder of the Goaltender Development Institute} and is eager to discover his game again.
"I'm a human being," Luongo said after Friday's practice that was preceded by 40 minutes with the Dallas-based Clark, who will be with him throughout the playoffs. "I'm not a robot, I'm not a machine. I'd like to be, but sometimes your mind and your body doesn't co-operate like you want it to... we're humans and we have bad days just like everybody else."
CLICK HERE to read more on this Winnipeg Free Press Article (27/03/2010) on Luongo, who looks to regain his form since the Olympic break.
Luongo played Saturday night against San Jose and looked solid in goal while making 26 saves on 29 shots, with goals that he shouldn't be largely faulted on. Vancouver lost the game 4-3, and looks ahead now to play Phoenix on Tuesday, March 30th. They currently sit at 3rd spot in the Western Conference standings, as they lead there division 5 points up on the Colorado Avalanche.
Wardo Gets 6 Years and $37.8 MillionCarolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward has signed a six-year contract extension that will pay him a total of $37.8 million, general manager Jim Rutherford said today. "It comes at a good time," Rutherford said. "We were hoping we could get Cam a long-term contract that would keep him with the team, and it's great to get it done before the season begins."
The Canes open the regular season Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Ward, 25, was due to become a restricted free agent after this season. He's making $3.5 million this season. "We did not want to get into all those things -- offer sheets, free agency," Rutherford said. "For what Cam has done for the franchise, like Eric (Staal), he deserves a long-term contract." Staal was signed a seven-year, $57.75 million extension before last season began.
Ward was third in the NHL in wins (39) and tied for sixth in shutouts (6) last season. He etablished a new franchise record for goaltender victories in a season (39) and matched the franchise record for shutouts in a season.
Luongo, Ward and Fleury Audition for Team Canada
Three goaltenders affiliated with GDI garner Team Canada invites for their Summer Development Camp.Goaltending Consultant Ian Clark is entering his fifth season working with All Star Roberto Luongo. Clark began his work with Luongo in 2001-02 in Florida with the Panthers. The two paired up again when Luongo was traded to Vancouver heading into the 2006/07 season.
Cam Ward's GDI connection goes back to his teenage years. Ward spent five years training with Clark at GDI's Pro Consulting camp before breaking into the NHL and going on to be the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and Stanley Cup Champion in his rookie season.
Current Stanley Cup Champion, Marc Andre Fleury spent his two Team Canada World Junior experiences teamed up with Clark. Clark was Team Canada's Goaltending Consultant for four years garnering two gold medals and two silver medals during this stretch.
Time will tell which goaltenders will represent Team Canada, but rest assured, GDI goalies will have a strong presence between the Team Canada's pipes.
Inspirational and Motivating
One of the toughest abilities for any hockey player is to be able to adapt to new situations quickly. Leading up to the pre-season there are many different situations that you may be experiencing such as: being released from your desired team, moving, playing with a different out of town team, or directly moving down a level.
As a goaltender you must always stay positive and look forward to every new challenge and situation that lies ahead. If you have a motive to achieve success then internally you will want to participate in tough and exciting situations. If you have a cognitive state of anxiety and fear then nervousness towards each new situation will tend to overcome your ability to play well and succeed.
Some goaltenders thrive under pressure while others would simply prefer not to be part of this ultimate head on competition. Believe in yourself, your abilities as a goaltender, and most of all have fun and enjoy what you are doing.
For inspiration, check out the following write up and interview with former goaltender of the New York Rangers, GDI President, Dan Blackburn.
