Pro-Reads with Eric Comrie

So, it seemed fitting to return to Comrie for his third Pro Reads session from his lone NHL game this season, which came with the New Jersey Devils before being reclaimed back off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets, who picked him in the second round of the 2013 NHL draft.

Anyone who tuned in for Comrie’s first two video review sessions already knows these are can’t miss for a goalie who has bounced around the NHL a lot over the past two seasons.

The clips all come from Comrie’s season debut with the Devils on Jan 31, a game in which he stopped 30 of 33 for a 4-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres. As Comrie showed in that game, he’s ready for the NHL, and you’ll understand why after seeing him analyze his own play again. 

​The Scenario

As you’ll see in the save video below, this sequence ends in a fairly routine save on a shot from the point by Risto Ristolainen (though there is still a bit of a flash screen involved), but we chose this clip because of all the back and forth behind the Devils net that precedes it. That gave Comrie a chance to talk about the ongoing evolution of his use of the reverse-VH.

Before we let Comrie explain how his preferences have changed, take a look at the freeze frame above and let us know what you think. The play is headed to Comrie’s right behind the net, and he’s already turned his head to that side, but he’s holding on the glove side post.

Scanning the ice, can you see there anything about the situation that dictates staying on that post? Is there anything you would do different? Would you push across first? Why?

 THE SAVE

Comrie will explain his post-play choice below, but first let’s look at the entire sequence:

THE PRO READ

Now let’s listen to how Comrie read this play, and in particular the evolution in his post-play preferences as that puck is moved back and forth behind the net, as well as the point shot.

Comrie is so open and honest in evaluating his own play, including some of the things he would have liked to happen quicker – and that key point about not getting a great back leg anchor on that final reverse-VH before pushing up to the point, a key factor far too many goalies and even coaches overlook – but it’s interesting to hear how he splits the ice and handles post play.

“I’m always trying to maintain vision and see the puck first,” Comrie said, while also noting he tries to look down to his elbows, which helps rotate his torso and lets him gain angle as he moves rather than pushing back and forth but staying flat on the goal line as he does,

It’s also interesting to hear Comrie talk about signs he’s being patient.

“That puck is halfway to the net and I’ve barely reacted at all,” he said.

With insights like that, make sure you check out Comrie’s first two entries to Pro Reads:

–       Comrie on Reading the Rush and Managing Screens

–       Comrie’s Split Save Robbery on the Back Door

We’d also recommend checking out Jake Allen’s take on post play, and a method similar to the one we see from Comrie, though Allen referred to it as “the Jonathan Quick rule.”

There will be more in future episodes, so stay tuned, and in the meantime, for more Comrie advice and some great stories on his path to pro, check out Episode 26 of the InGoal Radio Podcast. And to learn more about his experiences with and insights into using Sense Arena virtual reality training, check out his appearance on our recent webinar.