The Science of the Elite: Why Common Sense Isn’t Common

The topics you will find explained today are;

-Why the Opposite of Coaching is.. Over Coaching!

-The Mindset of a 10 yr old "Pro"

-What Parents learned from their 10 yr old!

-Develop a human not a prototype!

Connor Hellebuyck is one of the best goaltenders in the world. As the starting netminder for the Winnipeg Jets and the United States, he’s built an outstanding career—one that isn’t just about physical ability but about his innate understanding of the game. Some goalies spend years refining their skills, trying to master the subtle nuances of the position. Others? They just get it from the start.

Hellebuyck’s biggest fear? Someone coming in and trying to change his game. And he’s absolutely right to feel that way.

The best goaltenders don’t need to be reprogrammed. The job of a coach isn’t to change who they are—it’s to help them refine their natural game, to sharpen their strengths while seamlessly integrating them into a team system. That’s the real art of goaltending development.

Do the right things over and over again, play your system to be your best.

Over Coaching

The #1 mistake goaltending coaches make? Moving in and making fundamental changes—like altering a goaltender’s hand position or skating style—without first identifying an actual problem.

Here’s the reality: no two goaltenders are the same. They’re as unique as fingerprints. Yes, all goaltenders must develop the same core skills, but the way they execute those skills will differ. A great coach understands this and works with the goaltender, not against them, to optimize their natural style.

Yet, too often, coaches step in with an agenda. They see a goaltender and immediately start making changes. That’s where the failure happens.

Lesson #1: Optimize, Don’t Overhaul

The best way to develop a goaltender? Follow this three-step approach:

1. Identify patterns that create unfavorable results. Data and video analysis are key.
2. Have an open conversation about the issue. Let the goaltender tell you what they see.
3. Introduce small optimizations. Instead of changing their shirt, straighten their tie. Preserve their style while refining the technical details that make them better.

At the U15 through Major Junior level, it’s the smallest refinements that make all the difference.

The Mindset of a 10 Year Old Pro:

A 10-year-old Connor Hellebuyck, standing in a hockey shop analyzing stick curves, is the sign of something special. That’s not something he was taught—it was something he felt was important. He knew the way a player’s blade was shaped would affect the way he needed to play against them. That’s next-level thinking at an age when most kids are just trying to stop the puck.

This is what separates pros from the rest. It’s the same principle that made Martin Brodeur a Hall of Famer. Brodeur had a "book" on every shooter he faced. He studied their tendencies. He was always looking for an edge. And that’s why he dominated for two decades.

The truth? This level of thinking isn’t common sense—not until it’s taught, shared, and ingrained in the next generation through professional goaltending schools and development programs.

The Role of Parents: How Hellebuyck’s Father Shaped His Success

Hellebuyck’s father played a huge role in his development—not by forcing systems on him, but by engaging in conversations. He listened. He provided insight. He weighed his son’s thoughts against performance and adjusted accordingly.

This foundation is why Hellebuyck was not just mentally fit for the game, but also physically, socially, and academically strong. That’s what it takes to be an elite athlete. If a goaltender struggles in any of those areas, it’s only a matter of time before those weaknesses show up on the ice.

Hellebuyck’s path led him to UMass Lowell, where he dominated NCAA hockey with a .946 save percentage, 1.60 GAA, and 12 shutouts in just two seasons. His path wasn’t an accident. It was built on a foundation of learning, self-awareness, and fine-tuned adjustments—not forced overhauls.

The “It Factor”: You Either Have It or You Don’t

Not every goaltender is born with an elite mindset. Some have to be taught, developed, and refined. But those who do have it? They see the game differently from day one.

Take Russell Crowe, for example. The Academy Award-winning actor talks about acting like it’s common sense—because, to him, it is. To others, his insights are revolutionary. But when something is ingrained so deeply, it feels like second nature. Watch the video here

That’s the same way Hellebuyck views goaltending. What seems obvious to him is a foreign concept to most.

Jordan Binnington: Proof That Belief and Execution Matter

Jordan Binnington is another prime example. Despite winning a Stanley Cup and earning NHL accolades, he’s often overlooked. But here’s the thing: Binnington no longer hears the critics. He has his Stanley Cup ring—and a 4 Nations Cup ring—to drown out the noise.

Greatness isn’t about proving people wrong. It’s about doing what you know works for you, refining it, and executing at the highest level. Jordan Binnington is apart of a team, that team executes at their level, and if enough team members play like a 10/10 they win.

Team USA played an outstanding tournament and in the final play, in OT, their impenetrable defensive system, in that moment left the best player on the planet all alone in the most dangerous position on the ice ...all alone. Canada wins. Just a few moments earlier, Binnington did make the save that a million goaltenders would not have made.

The Takeaway: Develop the Goaltender, Not a Prototype

Too many coaches focus on molding goaltenders into a predefined style rather than amplifying their natural abilities. The best approach? Recognize their strengths, fine-tune the inefficiencies, and let them own their game.

This isn’t just a hockey lesson—it’s a life lesson. Those who embrace learning, refinement, and the pursuit of their excellence will thrive. Those who fight against it? They’ll never realize their full potential.

So, if you’re a coach, ask yourself: Are you truly developing the goaltender in front of you? Or are you trying to force them into a mold that doesn’t fit through the eyes of your own personal bias?

There’s a massive difference...and the best goalies in the world know it.

Tell me in the comments about your experiences with coaching/ playing when this has happened with you!

By Pasco Valana