Unmask the System: Developing Assets

In recent years, the development of top-tier goaltenders has been a hot topic in hockey. With the game becoming increasingly fast and skilled, the demand for high-end netminders has never been greater. However, despite the importance of the position, there is still no standard system where NHL organizations can develop elite-level goalies from the draft at 18 into a premier player within four years. The same could be said about Junior Hockey and Academies, where the emphasis is more on recruiting top-level players vs developing them. Minor Hockey Associations have lost many of their top players & goaltenders to more expensive options with the promise of increased development. Instead, they receive more practice time and higher calibre competition in games. More practice and more games contribute, but it is not the solution.

Level 1:?Minor Hockey starts with the basics of 4 major skating movements, followed by stationary saves and essential puck play. Many aspects accompany this plan, such as stance, butterfly, basic saves such as catching, use of blocker and stick, pads and chest.

Level 2:?Learning how to move into the shot line and recover from the various executed saves. When the pre and post-save response methods are developed, they are best used to maximize net space and maintain solid positioning for any passes or rebounds. Then we dive into the most common scoring situations that a team or goaltender will face and develop an individualized plan for the goaltender. They must learn to manage left and right-handed players, scan for the following most dangerous players and manage their mental toughness and emotions.

One of the critical pieces here is to carefully track the progress in each area so that we can best prepare them for the next level of the game. Coaches have systems when preparing goaltenders for Junior A and Major Junior levels, coaches have systems, and goaltenders should understand those systems and how to be the most effective in bringing the coach's plan to life in the defensive zone. How a goaltender manages shots, and rebounds and communicates to his or her D men is critical. Managing shift lengths, or knowing when the coach does not have the line of their choice, are just a few of the many examples that need to be understood by the goaltenders to ensure success and an upward trajectory in their development.

Level 3 Goaltending:?is giving the game back to the goaltender so that he or she can manage their game, communicate their thought process to a goaltending coach that can assist them in bringing the very best out of that plan, make adjustments for injuries or adjusting tendencies to remain ahead of the competition. This is where the CHL or NCAA goaltending coaches need to shine. This is a make-or-break situation for the goaltender, the goaltending coach and the organization. At this point, we either make or break the transition for NHL Development coaches and the organizations they work for. This is where head coaches pay with their jobs due to the lack of depth in the goaltending position.

At the ECHL or AHL level, the game is constantly changing. Personnel is moving up and down, the lines are constantly changing, and the system is never entirely in place because of call-ups or downs, so playing a consistent game becomes increasingly difficult. This is where the Development coach will earn his money, engaging the athlete at a cerebral level to make adjustments, recognize challenges, navigate through the season's ups and downs and recreating that "feeling" of being unbeatable in the goal. That comes only from doing the work. A body of "proven development work" must be at the forefront when selecting for this position, or you will waste assets and be on the chopping block as a head coach. That often means a wholesale change in the coaching department.

The NHL Goaltending Coach or Manager of Goaltending Development for the organization needs to be aware of the progression of all goaltenders within the system and know exactly where the organization's goaltenders are on the development spectrum. They need to ensure that the second and third goaltenders on the depth chart are fully aware of the system operating at the NHL level so that a seamless transition occurs. A Head Coach should never worry about communication breakdowns or unpredictable plays. The goaltenders should be ready at all times. After all, you least expect an opportunity when it will appear in the moment. Be ready.

If we want to see more world-class goalies, we need to focus on their development with a system in mind.?"A system is something you install consistently produces a result."??The goaltender hits their development glass ceiling when they stop being a student of the game, and they stop being a student when the teacher is no longer worth listening to. Goaltending coaches need to constantly imp[rove their understanding of the game and stretch themselves to be their very best. Then they will influence to maintain a creative learning environment and build championship-level goaltenders. Implementing a standardized system that emphasizes individualized attention, professional habits, and Goaltending IQ is the best way to do this. Such a system would need to be explicitly designed for goalies, considering their unique skillset, abilities, mental acuity and progression.

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