Power Within II Excerpt: Petersen on Manifesting Swagger and Warming up Eyes

Kevin Woodley | February 11, 2021 | 5 min read

Petersen uses the American flag during the national anthem as an eye-focusing exercise to prepare himself visually before games.
Petersen consciously manufactured personal swagger on the day of his first NHL start to overcome nerves and embrace the moment.
Former goalie coach Mike Valley worked directly with a young Petersen, giving The Power Within II chapter an authentic coach-player perspective.
The Power Within II features multiple NHL goaltenders sharing mental and visual preparation techniques, including Robin Lehner and Connor Hellebuyck.
Petersen's early .925 save percentage with the Kings validates the mental frameworks he developed around his NHL debut.

Photo courtesy of Stars (photo by Jeff Toates)

Cal Petersen is among the NHL leaders early this season with a .925 save percentage in his second full season with the Los Angeles Kings, quickly establishing himself as one of the League’s top young goaltenders just a couple of years after making his NHL debut.

Petersen reflected on that first NHL start in his chapter in The Power Within II, the new book co-authored by Justin Goldman of The Goalie Guild and former Dallas Stars goalie coach Mike Valley, who also worked with a young Petersen. His memories from that first start include some great insights on how he was able to overcome nerves by embracing the moment and creating some personal swagger as he headed to the game. Petersen, who is from Iowa, also shares an eye exercise he uses to focus himself using the American flag during the national anthem:

Book cover: The Power Within II by Mike Valley and Justin Goldman, featuring illustrated goalie in meditation pose

To read the full conversation, purchase a copy of The Power Within II on Amazon!

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

How Jake Oettinger stayed in the moment on path to, and preparing for, first NHL start

Connor Hellebuyck shifts from studying what goes on around him to focusing on own game

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

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