InGoal Radio Episode 149 with Connor LaCouvee
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Connor LaCouvee, an undrafted free agent who played four years of NCAA hockey, built his professional goaltending career by working through the ECHL, earning AHL opportunities, and eventually reaching Finland's top league, Liiga, with KalPa. In Episode 149 of InGoal Radio, LaCouvee discusses the reality of competing for ice time behind NHL-drafted goaltenders, adapting to multiple goalie coaches, and the personal tragedies he experienced when both a teammate and a GM passed away during his season in Hungary.
- Undrafted goaltenders can build legitimate pro careers by starting in the ECHL and earning AHL and European opportunities through consistent performance.
- Competing as an undrafted free agent often means working around NHL teams' prioritization of their drafted goaltenders — mental resilience and patience are essential.
- Adapting to multiple goalie coaches throughout a career is a skill in itself; LaCouvee shares how maintaining the right mindset helps goaltenders grow across different systems.
- Playing professionally in Europe, including Finland's Liiga, is a real pathway for North American goaltenders whose development extends beyond the AHL.
- LaCouvee experienced profound personal tragedy during his time in Hungary, losing both a teammate and a GM — a reminder of the human side of the minor-league journey.
Episode 149 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features four-year pro Connor Lacouvee, currently playing for KalPa in the Finnish Liiga.
Feature Interview
presented by NHL Sense Arena
In the feature interview, presented by Sense Arena, Lacouvee pulls back the curtain on the experience of building a pro career as an undrafted free agent after a four-year NCAA career. From the challenges of finding that first ECHL job, to moving up to the AHL and now stops in Europe including his current stint in the top league in Finland, we hear what life is like as a minor leaguer working towards the ultimate goal of playing in the NHL. From a revolving door of teammates to finding work while teams prioritize the development of their NHL drafted goaltenders, to the right mindset to work with multiple goalie coaches long the way, there are many great lessons in this episode for any goaltender or parent as LaCouvee was generous with his time and open with all of his answers. A warning to all, this interview does include some difficult points as LaCouvee experienced terrible tragedy with his Hungarian pro team, as he openly discusses the passing of both a teammate and a GM this season.
Weekly Gear Segment
presented by The Hockey Shop Source for SportsAll that, plus Kevin returns to The Hockey Shop to look under the gear with Cam at base layers – the padded undershirts and pants that provide moisture wicking, strategic padding and protection, and of course a bit more size in the net.
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