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Goalie coach Thomas Speer demonstrates knee drop rotation technique with James Reimer during a 3-part skating warm-up dril...

Pro Drills with James Reimer and Thomas Speer (and Beck Warm)

Kevin Woodley | | 3 min read
Key Takeaways
  • James Jensen's rotation drill uses three ice diagrams to checkpoint small, medium, and large lateral and recovery pushes.
  • Skate blades should be parallel to the diagram line when a goalie arrives on the new angle — this is the key mechanical cue.
  • Thomas Speer introduced a new variation of the drill with James Reimer and Beck Warm during San Jose Sharks summer training.
  • The drill is effective in tight spaces, making it practical for pre-game warm-ups or limited ice time.
  • Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit demonstrated the original version, providing pro-level reference for the movements.

One of or earliest InGoal Premium Pro Tips was a unique skating warm-up that featured Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit and was designed to encourage proper rotation.

For those who don’t recall that original drill (and annual members can still go back and watch it), which was introduced by current Everett Silvertips goalie coach James Jensen, we’ll start this with a quick review before moving on to a great new twist added by new San Jose Sharks goalie coach Thomas Speer this summer with James Reimer and Beck Warm.

Jensen, who developed this routine working with a young Eric Comrie in California, would draw three simple diagrams on the ice, with each one representing a different degree of rotation:

Diagram showing three ice skating push patterns: short, medium, and long pushes with arrow illustrations on ice surface

The goalies would use those lines to help guide small, medium and large rotations while making lateral pushes, then use the same thing while making recovery pushes from the knees as demonstrated by Connor Hellebuyck in the following video:

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