Pro Drills with Canucks Curtis Sanford
- Eliminate 'lag' in your movements by prioritizing efficiency so you are already set when deflections or late passes occur.
- Curtis Sanford's 'Organizing Reps' drill trains goalies to rebuild post organization quickly and consistently using the same priorities every repetition.
- Spencer Martin improved by stopping the habit of looking off the puck while moving to his post — he now arrives locked in rather than assessing after the fact.
- Staying ahead of play as it develops, rather than reacting to each new event, was the key to Martin rising from fifth on the depth chart to earning a one-way NHL contract.
- Good post habits built through repetition become the foundation of a goaltending system, according to Sanford.
Spencer Martin photo: Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire
Spencer Martin is coming off a breakout season with the Vancouver Canucks, going from fifth on the depth chart and in the American Hockey League to start the season, to earning a one-way contract as the presumptive backup to Thatcher Demko for next season.
Martin came in having not played in the NHL in five seasons but finished his first season with the Canucks with a .950 save percentage in six starts with the big club as well as a 2.43 GAA and .914 save percentage in the AHL. He credited a lot of that success to a commitment to staying ahead of the play and finding new ways to improve the efficiency required to do so.
“No lag or things that slow me down, so when the play is developing, I’m being efficient and when the sixth pass or a deflection happens, I’m already with the play or ahead of it, versus slowly falling behind as the play develops,” Martin said. “It’s just awareness of where you can make up time. In the past I’ve been looking off the puck as I’m moving to my post when the puck goes to the corner, where they had me try get to the post fast as you can and then look off the puck, and then assess. So, you’re already locked in, there’s no slow to the post.”
That’s part of the focus of this drill, which Canucks goaltending development and AHL goalie coach Curtis Sanford called “Organizing Reps” because it’s all about repeatedly getting organized on his post in the same fashion, with the same priorities every time.
Become a Member to Read the Full Article
We’re working hard to bring you the best exclusive goaltending content whether you play goal, you are a coach, a parent of a goaltender, or a fan of the greatest position in sports.
All InGoal Premium members enjoy an ad-free experience.
Already a member?
Unlock the rest of this premium breakdown
Join thousands of goalies, parents, and coaches who train smarter with InGoal.
15+ years as the #1 goaltending resource
Already a member? Log in