Canadian NHL Goalies and
Quality Goaltending Instruction
Many NHL goaltending greats have origins in Canadian
minor hockey. It is undeniable that Canada has no
shortage of quality goalie instruction. Quebec
is the leader in this area, with Quebec Minor Hockey
clearly understanding that to win games, you need to
train the players AND the goaltenders. Many Quebec
teams hire professional goaltending instructors and the
results prove the effectiveness of this plan - how many
French Canadian names do you see plastered across the
back of NHL jerseys in the goal crease?
Start with Patrick Roy, the front runner for
the unofficial title of "Greatest Goaltender Who
Has Ever Played". Then, there is 2003
Stanley Cup Champion, Martin Brodeur
and the goaltender of the team that faced Brodeur in the
finals - Conn Smythe trophy winner JS Giguere.
Let's not forget Jose Theodore goalie of the Montreal
Canadiens, Patrick Lalime netminder of the Ottawa Senators,
Dan Cloutier, star of the Vancouver Canucks, Marc
Denis of Columbus, Jocelyn Thibault of the
Blackhawks, Roberto Luongo of the Florida
Panthers, Manny Fernandez of Minnesota and Martin
Biron of the Sabres. All are starting goaltenders
playing in the NHL last year and every one of them is a
product of Quebec Minor Hockey's extraordinary goalie
training. |
Goaltending
instruction - British Columbia, Canada
BC Minor Hockey hasn't
necessarily picked up on the importance of quality
training for goalies to the degree that Quebec has,
but some associations are starting to pay attention.
The North Delta Minor Hockey Association has implemented
a biweekly goalie school for its members
and hired "Magic in the Net" to run the show.
And where the associations in BC leave
off, the parents of future NHL goaltending all stars are
picking up the tab. Quality goaltie schools are
sprouting up as quickly as the growing proliferation of ice
hockey arenas in British
Columbia.
Veit Goaltending is one of the strongest
and most well established goalie schools, operating out of the
Langley Twin
Rinks. Ron Veit has worked with goalies from
BC minor hockey right up to the NHL level and
brings a high level of expertise to his goaltender training
schools. He also offers a comprehensive video set on
goaltending. |
(Photo: one of Jack's
students, North Delta Peewee Sundemons' Goalie)
|
My personal favorite is Head2Head
Goaltending Head instructor Jack O'
Halloran is a great teacher and mentor for
young goalies. His technical ability, enthusiasm
and encouraging manner help keep young goaltenders
interested and having fun
while maintaining focus on the demanding task of
rigorous goalie training. Jack teaches goalies the
technical aspects and skills they need, while allowing
the athletes to develop their own style in the crease.
Jack has coached BC Minor Hockey for 15
years and instructed goalies at all levels of the
game, from Novice to the WHL.
...more on Goalie
Schools
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