The Myth of Overconfidence

Pete Fry | April 27, 2022 | 4 min read

Confidence is not the enemy of a goaltender's performance — how you channel belief in high-pressure moments determines your outcome.
Pete Fry faced a game-saving penalty shot as a 16-year-old in a WHL playoff elimination game, making the experience a teachable moment for all levels.
Dean Evason, now head coach of the Minnesota Wild, was the opposing captain in this pivotal game, adding historical context to the story.
Goalie Mindset Power is a 30-day program built from three decades of research into the habits and traits of successful goaltenders at every level.
Mental skills training, not just technical work, is what separates goaltenders who perform in clutch moments from those who don't.

Goalie Mindset expert Pete Fry is back with more key mindset tips that will help you become a better goaltender. Pete played in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winterhawks and the Victoria Cougars. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils. Today he works with goaltenders of all levels, from minor hockey to professionals, helping them achieve more on the ice through developing their mental skills.

The following is based on content from Pete Fry’s Goalie Mindset Power a ground breaking 30-day program dedicated entirely to helping goaltenders create a mindset that will guarantee results. Goalie Mindset Power has been developed from three decades of research into goaltending success, examining the habits and traits of winning goaltenders at all ages and levels.

We’re going to go back a few years. I was a 16-year-old playing for the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL). It was the second round of the playoffs. We were up against Kamloops who was the top team in the league. This was an elimination game for us.

Kamloops was up in the series 4 games to 0 and it was the best 5 out of 9. Yes, you heard correct: best 5 out of 9. My goalie partner Ian Wood, who had a previous spectacular playoff series and defeated New Westminster in 9 games, started the game. He was tired, struggled and pulled after three goals and I got the call. I made some nice saves and fought their captain Yes, I fought their leading scorer and captain Dean Evason, who is the current head coach of the Minnesota Wild. If we didn’t win this game we would be eliminated from playoff contention and our season would be over.

You can work directly with Pete on your goalie mindset. Consider joining the Goalie Mindset Power program or you can contact Pete directly.

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