The Power Within II: Excerpt with Dallas Stars Jake Oettinger

As Jake Oettinger prepares for his first start in the NHL with the Dallas Stars, you can count on the 22-year-old rookie not to get overwhelmed by — or distracted in — the moment.

Oettinger, who got his first taste of NHL action in a pair relief appearances in the playoff bubble in Edmonton last summer, could get that first start this weekend with the Stars, who are facing back-to-back games and without usual No.1 goalie Ben Bishop until at least March because of offseason knee surgery. For a peak into his mindset heading into such a big moment, we turn an excerpt from The Power Within II, the latest book from Justin Goldman and Mike Valley.

The new book includes a full chapter with Oettinger, who was the only goalie selected in the first round (No. 26) of the 2017 NHL Draft, and the mindset he adopted during a standout three-year NCAA career that included being named an alternate captain his final season at Boston University, and while posting a .917 save percentage as an AHL rookie last year.

As you’ll see from this excerpt, it’s little wonder the Stars see Oettinger as their goalie of the future, and aren’t worried about how he’ll handle the big moment in front of him now.

Jake Oettinger practicing in his new Bauer HyperLite gear. Video courtesy of Dallas Stars / Jeff Toates

Remember, you can also hear more from the authors on Episode 101 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, and we’ve already featured a pair of insightful excerpts here at Premium:

Robin Lehner shared how he’s slowed the game down visually and mentally

Florida goalie coach Robb Tallas shared a lesson from Roberto Luongo on handling mistakes

We’ve got more excerpts planned for Premium Members, so stay tuned.

Valley: How do you handle external distractions when you’re playing? Do you have the ability to keep your mind centered on the game rather than thinking about other stuff going on outside?

Oettinger: No matter what I had going on in college, I made sure to drop my backpack at the door when I got to the rink and focus one hundred percent on being a hockey player. I think that translated to what I did this year as a pro.

In games, I always find that whenever I’m trying to be too serious, I tense up. I’ve always been at my best when I’m loose, relaxed, and having fun. When I’m just out there competing and I have a smile on my face, I realize how awesome it is to be playing at this level. I’m so happy to be where I am that I’m just trying to have fun and put my best foot forward.

Bad things happen in games all the time, so if you’re too serious and overthinking the game, that’s when you get yourself in trouble. When I’m playing my best and something bad happens, I’m able to move on and focus on stopping the next puck.

Valley: Is there anything you say to yourself when bad things happen or when your mind isn’t in the right space? Do you have any anchors or any power phrases that you say to yourself?

Oettinger: This year I was saying, “Be where your feet are.” That was just my way of staying in the present. A lot of times when you give up a bad goal, you can start to wonder who’s watching or how it’s going to affect you and all of that negative stuff.

For me, I was just like, “Look. I’m here right now. I’m playing in the American Hockey League. I have a game against this team and I’m just going to try to put my best foot forward.”

I knew if I continued to do that and just focus on being where I’m at right now, then it’s going to translate to me getting bigger opportunities down the road. I can’t be playing in the AHL and focus every night on what’s going on with Ben Bishop or Anton Khudobin in Dallas.

That’s not where I am right now. I’m in the AHL, and I want to focus on doing everything I can to make the playoffs with Texas and be the best goalie I can be. I’m not looking too far down the road, because that’s not where I’m at.”

Of course, Oettinger is no longer in the AHL. He’s moved up a notch since giving that interview for the new book, but the mindset stays the same, as does his lesson about the importance of focusing on the moment by “being where your feet are.” It may sound like a simple mantra, but it’s one we’ve also heard preached on the InGoal Radio Podcast by long-time pro Alfie Michaud, now the goalie coach for the University of Maine, and one of his pupils, Jeremy Swayman, a first-year pro with the Boston Bruins who was named NCAA Goalie of the Year last season.

For instant access to more great advice on mindset and the mental game from goalies and coaches like Robin Lehner, Robb Tallas, Pavel Francouz, Connor Hellebuyck, Eddie Lack, Cal Petersen, William Rahm, Noora Räty and Thomas Speer, purchase The Power Within II here: