Pro-Gear: Ball machines help NHL and other goaltenders stay sharp
NHL goalies have been forced to get creative in their efforts to stay sharp while they are unable to get on the ice due to social distancing and stay-at-home orders as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and for many that means ball-throwing machines to keep their hands active.
It’s become an increasingly common theme among goaltenders talking to reporters on Zoom calls in recent weeks: Jacob Markstrom has added a tennis-ball machine to his training back home in Sweden, and Elvis Merzlikins is planning to buy one for his Columbus apartment.
InGoal had already talked to goalies who use ball-throwing machines to keep their hands sharp every summer, and how that work (and having those machines handy) can benefit them now that the offseason has started mid-season. That includes Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who has used tennis-ball machines for a long time in the offseason with Marco Marciano, goalie coach of the Montreal Canadiens AHL team in Laval.
Become a member to read the full article, including video from NCAA goaltenders as well as InGoal’s own working with a ball machine.
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InGoal ordered one immediately — and the first thing that surprised the staff when it arrived wasn't the price or the shots, it was the size, which is described in the next paragraph alongside exactly how many balls you actually need to run a full session.
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Join thousands of goalies, parents, and coaches who train smarter with InGoal.
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