InGoal Radio Episode 94 with Elvis Merzļikins
Please subscribe and leave a rating — it helps us reach more goalies!
Elvis Merzlikins spoke candidly on InGoal Radio about the mental toll of his winless start to his Columbus Blue Jackets rookie season, which stretched until December 29. He then went on a remarkable 12-2-0 run with five shutouts and a .953 save percentage. Merzlikins credited specific goalie coaches and mental strategies for turning his season around.
- Merzlikins went winless to start his NHL rookie season but rebounded with a dominant 12-2-0 run, five shutouts, and a .953 save percentage.
- He speaks openly about the mental toll of a slow start and the specific strategies he used to reset his mindset under pressure.
- Merzlikins discusses the goalie coaches and lessons that have most shaped his technical development and competitive approach.
- Recorded while recovering in Switzerland from the groin injury that ended his 2020 NHL playoff run on August 7.
- The episode also reviews the Brian's Optik2 chest protector, highlighting its larger profile and adjustable neckline as a standout gear innovation.
Episode 94 of the InGoal Radio Podcast presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports features a nearly hour-long interview with charismatic young Columbus Blue Jackets star Elvis Merzlikins.
Feature Interview
presented by NHL Sense Arena
Merzlikins was an open book in our feature interview, which is presented by Sense Arena, talking honestly about the mental toll of a slow start to his remarkable rookie season, which started without a win until Dec. 29 but finished with a 12-2-0 run that included five shutouts and a .953 save percentage. Back on the ice in Switzerland for the first time since a groin injury ended his NHL playoffs prematurely on Aug. 7, Merzļikins was engaging on a variety of topics, from working out hard enough to throw up, to his mental approach and how it was tested, to the goalie coaches and lessons that have shaped his game. InGoal Members can enjoy the feature interview on video this week as well!
Weekly Gear Segment
presented by The Hockey Shop Source for SportsAll that, plus another trip to The Hockey Shop for a fresh gear segment that looks at the Brian’s Optik2 chest protector, with a noticeably bigger profile that its predecessor and an adjustable neck line that is one of the better innovations we’ve seen in a while.
Comments
Let's talk goaltending!
We welcome your contribution to the comments on this and all articles at InGoal. We ask that you keep it positive and appropriate for all — this is a community of goaltenders and we're here for each other! See our comment policy for more information.
You must be logged in to view and post comments.