Retired NHL goalie Anders Nilsson revealed that New York Islanders goalie coaches told him in 2011 that the reverse-VH technique he learned playing for Lulea in Sweden would never work in the NHL. He also credited his 2014-15 KHL season with kickstarting his career, citing better coaching and development resources than he had received in the NHL to that point.
- Anders Nilsson retired after seven NHL seasons due to a concussion and neck injuries sustained in December 2019 that prevented him from returning to the ice.
- Nilsson learned the reverse-VH technique in Sweden but was told by Islanders goalie coaches in 2011 that it would never work at the NHL level.
- A one-year stint in the KHL in 2014-15 provided Nilsson with superior goaltending coaching and development compared to what he experienced in the NHL, which he credits with reviving his career.
- Nilsson played for six NHL franchises — the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators.
- Nilsson discusses the debate over dark versus white goalie equipment and showcases his Brian's Beast gear from the final stage of his career.
Episode 132 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features a lengthy interview with recently retired NHL goalie Anders Nilsson.
Feature Interview
presented by NHL Sense ArenaIn the feature interview, presented by Sense Arena, Nilsson talks about the slow recovery from a concussion and neck injuries that have kept him off the ice since December 2019, and ultimately forced him to call it a career after seven NHL seasons — and a one-year interlude in the KHL — with the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators. Nilsson shares several great stories and lessons from his path to — and through — professional hockey, including learning reverse-VH while playing for Lulea in Sweden (which won’t be a surprise to anyone who has read our story about the invention of the technique over there) only to be told by the Islanders goalie coaches in 2011 that it would never work in the NHL. Yikes. Nilsson was also candid about his career getting kickstarted by access to better coaching and development resources in the KHL in 2014-15 than he’d been getting in the NHL up to that point. Add in a frank discussion on dark versus white equipment and his sick Brian’s Beast gear at the end of his career, and this is a can’t miss interview.
Weekly Gear Segment
presented by The Hockey Shop Source for SportsSpeaking of great graphics, we also take a trip to The Hockey Shop to check out some sweet throwback looks now available on Vaughn’s V9 line without having to make a custom order.
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