InGoal Radio Episode 242 with Nicole Hensley

Intro

It's the all star break, but we're not taking a break. We're here with the InGoal Radio Podcast bringing in more great goalie goodness. Daren Millard is enjoying an all star break this week and one that is very well deserved, but here carrying the ball. I'm David Hutchison. And with us as always, the guru, Kevin Woodley.

Do I have to pay you like I pay Elliot Friedman every time he uses that line?

If I could get paid like Elliot Friedman, I'd be a happy man. I I don't even have the hair either because I cut it all off this week.

I think I feel like every time he says that, I gotta, like, put cheque-in the mail. So because we all know it's not true, but it's appreciated. I am very happy for Daren that he's getting a break on the all star break. That guy works so bloody hard at so many different jobs, but I did have to give him a little boo because I'm a little bitter and jealous that I'm not also somewhere nice and enjoying a little downtime. It's it's kinda miserable here in Vancouver, folks.

I don't we've had an exceptional winter, but then it got kinda wet and gross and gray and it's kinda that way now. So I would love to chase the sun for a little bit. So woe ist me,

First world problem. Living on the

First first world problems, baby.

So we are here, thanks to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports. We are also here in the All Star Break, and I think it's a good time to mention that our friends at Sense Arena, Woody, one of the things that's happened in the biggest most recent update is like some gamification. You can get in there and do some contests and celebrating the all star game. NHL Sense Arena has an all star competition. Get into your headset.

Get involved in the competition. It's on right now. It goes through February 4. If you're the lucky winner of the competition, you're gonna get two tickets to a stadium series game. Or you could take a $150 at the NHL shop or maybe an extension to your Sense Arena license.

Options available if you are the winner. I think that's one of the cool things. Look, it's a serious training tool, but everybody in their training loves to get in there and get competitive, see how they stack up against the other goaltenders. So, check it out. If you wanna try Sense Arena, it is the best off ice training tool for goaltenders.

And if you head over to sensearena.com today and use the code I g m 50, you will save even more. Woody, you're on the all star break. You should put the headset on and try the competition.

I definitely need to. I need all the help I can get in terms of actually stopping pucks. And like you said, like, you know, it's it's not the same, but I kind of equate it to the Peloton. Right? Like, listen, you could just get an exercise bike and be committed and driven and ride the exercise bike and do classes, whatever.

But there's something about the competitive nature of a spin class when you can see everybody else's results and you're trying trying to you set your goals about wanting to be in a certain percentage. Like, it just the comp you need juice. I had this conversation. I'm gonna name drop here. I'm gonna give myself a little back pat.

I had this conversation yesterday with Michael Buble for the all star game because he's a part of team Hughes with the Vancouver Canucks defenseman and captain. And I had to do a piece at nhl.com, and we were talking about the format, which we can get into in terms of goalies getting screwed. But both the competition in the skills part and in the game itself, he was talking about how much better it is when there's juice on the line, when there's something there, that that edge, that competition, that we want to win this, and it's financial for, for the NHL. And I love that Sense Arena has added some some winning components to it too. I mean, stadium series game, having just gotten back from the winter classic less than a month ago, what a great experience that was.

So to to give somebody in that competition environment both the, motivation to work a little extra harder on their game within the framework of that competition and the chance to win something as cool as a stadium stadium series tickets. I think that's awesome.

For sure. Hey. One of the best things about the all star game is all the great gear setups we see on the goaltenders. We don't have the chance to grab great setups like that. But if we did want to improve our setup, where would we go to do that, Woody?

Probably The Hockey Shop.

We would go to The Hockey Shop and the hockeyshop.com, our friends out in Langley, BC. What's going on there, Woody?

You know what? I think I'm seeing this a lot of launches coming, which means I gotta get back out there with Cam because it he's gonna have this stuff early. New lines from well, including from from we're gonna get into the Vaughn SLR four line that's launching now. Some elements of that today in our Gear Segment where we sit down with Cam, but we have we have full reviews coming on that. We have I mean, True's got a launch coming.

Warrior's got a launch coming. Like, there's all kinds of things happening. And so if you want to get up to date information, unbiased, go see Cam and his crew. They'll give you the answers. They get it first.

They meet with the reps. They go to the factories. Cam gets to go on these trips. Get an understanding ahead of time what separates each piece of gear, how it works for certain goalies, and how and whether it will work for your game. Sometimes we chase the latest and greatest when it might not be what fits your style as a goaltender.

You can always count on Cam and his crew at The Hockey Shop and the hockeyshop.com to give you honest answers about that. As excited as we are about all the new launches and releases that are starting to come out early, and I gotta say, like, seeing these things happen in January instead of, you know, April and May is kinda cool. I like that it's being spread out now. But the reality is sometimes you don't need to pay for the latest and the greatest, and Cam's always gonna give you an honest answer when it comes to that as well as having access to the new stuff if you need it.

Hey. They got their demo sale on now too and there are some huge savings on some stuff that in some cases are pretty lightly used. Good point. That is a great way to get a great deal. And also, if you live in the area, if you wanna try some of this gear, you can do that through the Hockey Shop.

Yeah. Their demo program is awesome. We haven't talked about that much in recent years, but when you see the demo sale and see how much gear they have, it's a reminder that, you know, know, and I've done this with some junior goalies and stuff that have asked us about, say, like, they're they're looking at maybe trying a Bauer product and they haven't. And in the past, when we were doing more regular reviews, they could try our sets. And now it's like go to the hockey shop because they've got it.

And so, know, especially when you start to get into these, you know, really unique, new, upgraded technologies. You know, CCM, think about how they've changed the way the hand goes in the glove and some of the finger stalls. I think a Bauer with the slide or or sorry, Warrior with the slide the knee plate, the slide plate on the knee. You know, it's exciting. We love innovation, but sometimes it's a tough adjustment.

So to get the chance to take this on the ice like they do, at the Hockey Shop with their demo program is great for goalies before they have to make that big purchase.

Awesome. Hey, listen. Coming up in a little bit, our feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena is Nicole Hensley of the PWHL Minnesota franchise. Lots of awesome things happening in that league. A lot of great excitement and and, I'm really looking forward to hearing Nicole and Woody chat.

But ahead of that, let's just get back to the all star game, Woody. I I kinda feel like the goalies, I mean, the format of the games kinda screws the goalies and now this, this competition, bit of an issue for me anyway. What are you thinking?

Well, you know, skills competition, like I said, you know, we liked it. That little chat with Buble. We like the fact they've added some juice, million dollars. But I'm like, how does the goalie win?

How does one hundred grand they're offering the goaltender. Sort of tells you how they value goalies, doesn't it?

Yeah. But at about 10%, it's kinda like the league. It's cutting down on the spending on goalies now that you need two. Doesn't mean you gotta you you don't have to pay one. It's really interesting, and it leads me to the question.

And I don't know the order they're doing the competitions in, but if you're Thatcher Demko and you have four other Canucks, And I'm not sure. Actually, I think only three of them are participating in the skills portion of the competition. So, Patterson, Miller, and Hughes. I don't think Brock was selected for the skills competition. But let's say it is the breakaway's last and you're Demko, and you've got an opportunity at a $100 grand.

Or you could let a couple in and your teammates win a million bucks. I'm not I would never in a million years question the the integrity of one Thatcher Demko. I'm just saying that the league has kinda put them in a position here where, you know, I I'd be tempted. I'd be like, you know, hey. Like, it's like on the golf course when you're you're having a tough one and you got a match going down at the end, and it's like, yeah, we could both win here.

Good. Good. Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

I'm giving you the four footer. You give me the four footer. We're good. Just let a couple ones slide through. Take home your prize.

I Hey. You can

flip the script on this one, and how fun would it be for, Thatcher Demko to laugh all year long that he cost one of his teammates a million bucks?

God. A million bucks? Like, I don't know. Like, that would be

That's not chump change even for these guys.

No. That would hurt, man. That would hurt that would hurt some of these guys.

Yeah. Hey, I've got a I've got a confession. I'll give you my confession. Same kind of scenario. It wasn't a $100,000.

Many, many, many years ago when goalies still stood up to make saves and made skate saves. I was in goalie school and, they had a competition to finish off the week. And the only way you can do it fairly, it was a breakaway competition. The only way you could do it fairly is guys of the same age shoot on the goalies at the same age because, of course, they've got kids from sort of age seven all the way up to, I don't know, fifteen, sixteen. And so you got five shots from your shooter and then next guy goes in the net and you come back and you get five more.

So it's a total of 10 shots for every age group. I stopped my guy on the first five and he realized because of how many goals were scored by all the other shooters that he had zero chance of winning this competition. And, we didn't chat about it, but he came down on me and I'm quite certain he put the next five into my pads. I went 10 for 10. I won a free stick at the Howie Meeker Hockey School.

I got to strut around like I was the best goalie there, but I kinda knew that it was a bit of a tainted title. Makes me think to what might be going on this week at the all star game.

I don't think anybody's gonna throw anything, but, you know, if it was a million dollars, I'd take it tainted or not.

Well, I took the stick. I mean That a boy. It was nice to have.

We for we we know that, like, there are other examples in goalie schools and goalie camps where this happens, you know, giveaways, things like that for sure. Once you get a lead, like, we've heard these stories. So it's just just interesting. I don't think anybody's thought of it. I'm trying to think of the other goalies that are at the all star game.

Like, Demko might be the only one. And then it actually think about it if you're Thatcher. What if it's between two teammates down the stretch? Oh, man. If if two of your teammates have both are both in the skills competition?

In his case, I think he's got three in Petterson, Hughes, and Miller, and it all comes down to the breakaway challenge. Are you letting out like, woo. This it could get, like and you know what? All jokes aside about goalies getting screwed, the whole thing's just a fun weekend. We're just kinda teasing and kidding around and whatever here.

Even this conversation, like, it's fun. Right? Like, it's it's fun. Yes. It's a million dollars, but, boy, like, think of the conversations that are going on if the scenario we just painted happens at the end.

Say it's three Canucks, McDavid, and someone else, and and I think they get to pick their goalie. I I believe the shooters get to pick the goalie they shoot on. So if all of a sudden all the Canucks start pitch picking that Thatcher Demko to shoot on and pucks start going in at a rate that is not Thatcher Demko like, we might have some eyebrows raised.

Might wanna say you have to pick your goalie who is not on your team.

And to be frank, maybe that is a rule because this thing is evolving so fast. It might be a rule by the time we finish talking if it isn't yet.

Oh, well, good fun at the all star game. I'm looking forward to, seeing all the great setups that these guys have. I love that they really go all in.

And there are some not all in, some all out. We we we know some some's coming.

Oh, well done. Well done,

mister Bunster. We got some custom sets coming. We can't tease. We can't we can't give them away yet, but there's gonna be some beauties there. So, look forward to seeing that as always.

Awesome. Gonna be gonna be fun. And look, if you approach a three on three tournament with the with the right sort of mental approach, it can be a ton of fun. You just don't expect to be throwing a shout out, but you can still have a great time.

One of the many topics we get into in our Sense Arena feature interview with Nicole Hensley, is also at the NHL All Star Game taking part in the three on three competition, the PWHL showcase on Thursday night, I believe right ahead of the NHL draft.

Fantastic. It's gonna be it's gonna be great. And I've enjoyed all of the PWHL games that I've watched, in the last little bit. Really exciting stuff and I'm glad that we've got that sort of added to our hockey repertoire now and great to have a guest from the league on as well. So well done there, Woody.

Before we get to the, feature interview though, I think it's time to head back to the hockey shop because you had a good sit down with Cam over the Vaughn SLR four chest protector.

Gear

Welcome back to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports. We're over in Goal Utopia surrounded by the latest and the greatest in goaltending gear, not goaltending advisors.

And we've got another new piece of equipment for 2024. I'm loving this. Like, people have dry January. We got fresh gear January here at

the Hockey dry January from Kevin here pretty quick. Goodness.

I am a little the humor is a little dry, so that's that makes sense. Alright. SLR four Cam.

Yeah. It's a chest this time.

It it is. We got new stuff.

We do. What's changed?

I've done a few things. So SLR four will start up at the top of the shoulders, brand new for this year. Also, there's going to be a pant, glove and blocker, so you have to stay tuned. Not this review right now.

More stuff coming. When we

have more stuff?

He's like Santa in January.

I'm good with the I'm good with the crow Christmas for a little while. It's okay. So chest, NHL style, shoulder floaters, slimmed down. So this entire unit in theory, NHL legal. I'm sure there's a few mods that need to be done again, like the back straps, they can't be adjustable and things like that.

That's some of the differences you will find on an NHL style chest protector. However, for here, again, shoulder floaters, classic Vaughn pad in behind helps to pop up that overall presence. If you were looking for the chest to be a little bit more slimmed down and tied up against the body, again, take those out, tighten down those Velcro straps.

Well, question. Question. Answer. Daily double. Why would I want to look smaller, Cameron, by taking that out?

So I wouldn't necessarily call it looking smaller per se as you wanted to increase your, say, head mobility. You're worried about backing out of the driveway while you're playing, you're facing the wrong way while you're in net.

It does make a difference. I like the slimmer profile in terms of, you know, moving around and not Exactly. This is why I ask these questions, folks.

Suspender buttons make their return back. That hurt. Good. Suspenders, if you want to run them up and over top of the chest. Now here's one where again, it's gonna pull that overall shoulder floater down if you do run it through here, but it is an option.

Me personally, I'd rather ride them like in between through here so they aren't pulling that shoulder floater down. But again, you have that option to pop them over top of that shoulder floater and help to lock them in with those snap hooks.

I like it.

Alright. Arm out. Perfect. So adjustable arm. These simple snap options here will be able to pull that arm up and be able to adjust that arm length on the fly.

This is a feature that I do like about the Pro Chest Protectors because it's a little bit hard to get that adjustability, especially, you know, when fitting on the floor and whatnot. So growing, you know, we're worried about that RXR arm length, things like that.

I'm not growing anymore, Cam.

So good. Would probably actually button it up a little bit higher because this arm is coming down low on you. Squared off, arm floater, moving to the arms as well. So the way that they've stitched this is quite a bit different than the SLR three, as you can see visually side by side for sure. So the way it flexes in, it's quite stiff in between here.

So we do find that it's gonna take a little bit of break in to kinda get there, but in theory, that's less gaps that are showing up in that overall chest. And again, I'm more squared off profile for it as well. Segments? Segmented. We can see that segmentation at the belly.

So this allows for a couple different options in terms of how you're wearing your chest protector. So front tuck, half tuck, full tuck, quite a few different options here. I think one of the preferred ones though is, is that a front plump you do tuck into the pants and then you need these outer flaps around the side. Little

more size.

That will still aid a little bit in the overall sales profile in terms of your initial look. Again, keep in mind, gotta go seal up that that chest check is gonna wanna kind of push out of the way a little bit. So turn around, that all the way around. Goodness. All right.

Now you see their strapping system that they have in terms of attachments. The way that body hugs with the two overall elastic straps that wrap around your body gives a nice tight fit to the chest protector, easily adjustable so you can kind of minutely dial that in. You also see the shoulder floater adjustment, the opportunity to move that out to the side a little bit more, change that overall profile in terms of where it sits on your collarbone. Nice, easy adjustments, good features from Vaughn. So we'll wait for Kevin to spin around like a top here.

So if you want to learn more about the chest, you can give me a call (604) 589-8299 or 1-800-567-7790 And check us out at the hockeyshop.com. You'll find the chest online there. These can be custom ordered. Limited stock amount, and it's available now. More will be coming in soon.

Kevin.

Are the arms beefed up or is this sort of standard? Are we at it? Has Vaughn gotten to the point where we don't need to beef them up

to not be blunt? Carbon unit. Stock pro carbon unit. I mean, these ones, again, Vaughn has made strides in terms of for that overall protection initially in the arms. Since the v nine, we've noticed things have gotten quite a

bit better. So you don't need to add the Pro Beef like

you need That'd use to be up to you. And, you know, if you have that question, like I said, you can give me a call. Okay.

Thanks, Kevin. There's more stuff coming. Right?

Yes. Stay tuned for more Vaughn SLR four. Bye, Cam.

I love dress up day. It was awesome hanging out there behind the camera watching you guys do your thing. Woody, you make an awesome model. Doesn't matter whether you are a fan of any particular brand. Cam has got it.

And we know every time we put something up for Vaughn, the comments are coming. When do we get to see the chest? When do we get to see the pants? Show us the gloves. Vaughn lovers are are real real fans of their gear and and I think they got a good one here.

Looking forward to going through the whole line. We've already been through a few of it. We got those in the can for future episodes with Cam. So like you said, like, if you don't wanna wait for our episode, you happen to live in the area, or you're interested in the Vaughn SLR four line, any of the pieces, make sure you give Cam and his crew a call at the Hockey Shop or check it out at the hockeyshop.com because they've already got it. You got any questions, they got answers for you and keep your eyes tuned for more reviews.

Feature Interview - Nicole Hensley

Alright. Here we go. It's time for the NHL Sense Arena feature interview. We've already talked about it a little bit. Nicole Hensley of PWHL's Minnesota franchise.

They're leading the league in attendance right now, I believe. Lots of exciting stuff happening there on the ice, and I was really excited that you managed to get Nicole on for an interview this week, Woody.

Yeah. I know. And it's gonna be a double dip because it was originally supposed to be Nicole and Maddie Rooney, her playing partner, also her her playing partner on, several team USA at both the world championships, both two time Olympians. But this is the one thing about PWHL, and Nicole gets into this. Like, it's so much like, they're traveling more professionally.

The infrastructure, the support, all things she talks about, goalie coach, a lot of things that weren't happening consistently in the other leagues before this was formed, like, they've got that. But you're still flying commercial. And so the morning we're set to to they were set to join me was after a road game the night before. And so it's like you and me traveling, Hutch. We gotta be there multiple hours early, and you're arriving overnight flights and things like that.

So, bit of a conflict there. The good news is

I bet you her playing partner isn't whining all the time on the trip like my partner does.

Well, in in in my case, I'm the one that's doing the whining.

That's what I'm saying. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, you mean my yes. Oh, me. Yeah. Am a little bit soft. No. But, the good news is we'll we'll we'll have a chat. Like, we we wanna make this a a regular occurrence. Right?

Like, we wanna catch up and get to know all the goalies. So we've had some in the past, Ann-Renu00e9e Desbiens with PWHL Montreal. Obviously, Kristen Campbell, we spent a lot of time with with PWHL Toronto. But we want to expand this and get to know more of the voices. So the good news is we'll have Maddie Rooney on a on a episode in the near future as well, as well as we're trying to get get a hold of Green, Schroeder and Emerance Maschmeyer, like, a lot of these goals.

We wanna bring them to you. They have great stories. You're gonna hear it from Nicole. Like, the background, how they deal with pressure. There's just there are so many great takeaways in this interview, the stages she's played on, as well as what the adjustments are now that, hey.

For the first time, she's gotta deal with TV timeouts. Right? Like, things like that that they're adjusting to the travel, a more of a grinding schedule than they've had in the past. So really looking forward to this interview with Nicole, but also catching up with a lot of her peers in the PWHL, her teammate, Maddie Rooney, and some of the other goalies around the league and making this making this a regular thing on the InGoal Radio Podcast.

Awesome. If you haven't checked out the PWHL games yet, please do. Some fantastic hockey happening there, some fantastic goaltending.

And they're all on you she's gonna tell you they're all on YouTube as well.

Absolutely. So it's free for everybody. Look. Just just a great thing that's happening in the game right now. So without further ado, let's head over and listen to Nicole Hensley and Kevin Woodley.

Really excited to welcome to the InGoal Radio Podcast. First time guest, long overdue to have you on Nicole Hensley of the Minnesota PWHL squad, two time Olympian with USA. Like, I think everyone listening knows the resume. I wanna start with what's like, right now, you mentioned just getting in late last night, like, the world of professional hockey at this level, the travel, the crowds, everything that's going on with the PWHL. Just from your perspective, what this transition has been like, and, you know, just, like, not even logistically, but just, like, the momentum that seems to be building around this new league.

Yeah. First of all, thanks thanks for having me. Happy to to be on today and get to chat with you. It has been a whirlwind. First, I guess we're closing in on the end of the first month here for for the season, and, it's honestly been so exciting and and to have all the hype around it.

And, you know, the number of fans, at least, you know, everywhere we've been has been great. And then Minnesota's had a ton of fans, and that's been really exciting. A couple of us were, like, recognized at a coffee shop the other day too, so it's kind of like a whole new world for us here. But it's been so much fun. Like, the hockey, I think, is getting better and better, especially as teams you know, first year together, you've got a ton of people who have never played together before trying to come together with the chemistry and things like that.

So I think, that's probably the most exciting thing about it is it's been super exciting so far, and, you know, it's just the beginning. Like, people are just getting their feet wet here. So I think, you know, as we go, it's just gonna get better and better.

Now you've you've obviously I mean, you played for Buffalo in 2018-19 in the in the PHF, and you were in the PWH PA as well. What the significance of this step now that it is just one league and everyone's together, do you see a difference in terms of not just like, forget the quality of play because the quality of play was excellent at at the other levels as well, but just the environment around it. You know what? Like, got a goalie coach in in Brennan I wanna ask you about. Like, there just seems to be a more professional approach.

Is that from the outside, at least, does that feel that match what you're seeing on the inside?

Yeah. A 100 a 100%. The the number of staff we have, I I just I can't even tell you all the staffing positions we have because it's like nothing we've ever experienced before. You know? So just to whether it's the business side or the coaching side, the playing side, it's been night and day compared to just about, you know, almost everything I've been a part of in the women's hockey world.

two years ago, we're practicing at, like, 06:30 in the morning so that we can have, you know, numbers at these skates so people can be there and then go do their job to get paid. So we went from that to, you know, this being a full time job and and with not just, like, the money side of it, but also, like, you know, to have two athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors coming in, like, that's completely new to us to have access to that on a consistent basis. And it seems like small things, but it's those you know, those are the things that allow you to compete well over the course of a season.

You know, and we're very fortunate to be at, XL Energy Center and have the backing of of that facility as well. And yeah. I mean, we're two years ago, we're practicing at, like, 06:30 in the morning so that we can have, you know, numbers at these skates so people can be there and then go do their job to get paid. So we went from that to, you know, this being a full time job and and with not just, like, the money side of it, but also, like, you know, to have two athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors coming in, like, that's completely new to us to have access to that on a consistent basis. And it seems like small things, but it's those you know, those are the things that allow you to compete well over the course of a season.

So just to have have those things as as players is just night and day to to anything we've had before.

I was gonna say, like, anybody that thinks those are small things just hasn't tried to do it at the like, gone through the daily grind of what professional hockey is. And and I I think in talking to, you know, other players that were part of the PWH PA before, that was kind of money is important, like you said, and contracts are good, but, like, it was the infrastructure and the support that surrounded it that allowed you to have a chance to succeed where you're not running to other jobs or having to pay for your own massage therapist or find your own time on the table to, know, to get an injury looked at after a game or a practice?

Yeah. I think, you know, that was that was the vision from the beginning with the PWH PA was was a sustainable league that you know, it was one of those things, like, if you build it, they will come. And I think, you know, so far through the first part of the season with, the number of fans we've had at games is is proof of that. And to have it so easily accessible on YouTube as well as on TV and local markets in The US. I think that's that's huge.

The games the women's game is more accessible than it's ever been, and I think that's something that's really important to us, and we know that it's important to grow the game and and all those kind of things too.

The games the women's game is more accessible than it's ever been, and I think that's something that's really important to us, and we know that it's important to grow the game and and all those kind of things too. A lot of taking a lot of, you know, a lot of points, learning opportunities from other women's leagues, and understanding, you know, those things that we need to do to continue to to with the growth and to continue the momentum is has been a big deal so far, and I I think it's only gonna continue in that direction.

Well, I gotta say we're excited at InGoal about the fact that the games are on YouTube because there's I'm like, we need to do ProReads with some PWHL goalies. We do with the we do the video sessions with the NHL guys. So now that now that it's there, I gotta I gotta create a little extra time to clip some videos because that's something I you like, you say yeah now, but wait till I start annoying you with requests for video sessions.

Okay.

So, you know, all those elements, you you mentioned the XL Energy Center, record setting crowds, for your first home game, and that momentum continues to build there. You've played on big stages before. You played on the biggest stages before at the Olympics with international audiences. So rather than just say, hey. What was it?

Like, was it any different in that moment? But I guess more to the point for other goalies, in any of those moments, how what what are the tools you've developed over the years to make sure you can be in the moment, enjoy the atmosphere, but still find your game? It's probably probably a lot of young goalies that and whether it's playoffs coming up, they're nervous about those things. How do you how do you how are you at your best under the brightest spotlight?

I think I think it is in in some ways, it is kinda different. I don't to have you know, it is obviously, when you're playing US versus Canada, if you're in Canada, they're cheering for Canada. If you're in The US, like, they're cheering for The US. But there is something, like, a little bit different about, like, this being, like, our team and, like, our state. I don't exactly I can't put my finger on exactly why it feels just a little bit different, but but it kinda does.

You know? And and I think that's a good thing, and I think it just it's just exciting. It's just something, like I said, we've never really had before. You know? Like, I was saying that for our first home game, I felt so weird because I couldn't tell you the last time I drove myself from, like, my home to a game.

We're so used to you fly in, you're at the hotel, you're on a bus to the game, or you're walking to the rink or, like, all those different things that we were all like, we had a conversation. We got the rink. I was like, was that weird? Like, we just drove to a game. We haven't done that.

no matter what's going on, like, outside the glass, you know, the game is the game inside the glass. And no matter what noise or what's going on in the crowd, like, it's all just energy. Whether they're cheering against you or cheering for you, like, I think that you can use those things as just, like it's just energy.

You know? So I think that all of that plays into it too to really feel like you're at home when you're when you're playing at the x. And, you know, I think I think for me, the biggest the biggest thing is is no matter what's going on, like, outside the glass, you know, the gay the game is the game inside the glass. And no matter what noise or what's going on in the crowd, like, it's all just energy. Whether they're, you know, whether they're cheering against you or cheering for you, like, I think that you can use those things as just, like it's just energy.

People are excited. Like, I think that that's kind of the way I look at it at least. And, for me, I kind of keep my preparation the exact same, whether it's, you know, first game of the season, last game of the season, road game, home game. I try to you know, 7PM start, 3PM start. Like, I try to keep my preparation pretty consistent, and I think that's something that helps kinda keep you grounded.

And no matter what kind of game it is, it's it's a reminder that it is just a hockey game, and you've played plenty of them before, and you know what to do.

So that so it did feel different. Like like, you're making history. You know, as much as an Olympics is probably the biggest stage you can be on, you've been to a couple. This this did have a little bit of a different vibe to it for you by the sounds of it.

Yeah. I yeah. I think it did. It was it was you know, I mean, the Olympics is still the Olympics. Like, that's the biggest thing you'll ever ever do as as a women's hockey player, I think, but in terms of actual games played.

But, like yeah. It was it was different to, I think, just kind of the ownership you feel as a team. Like, you know, this is our home ice. This is these are our fans. This is this is ours as opposed to you know?

Well, in in when we were in Beijing, like, you're playing in front of an almost empty crowd with no family or friends there, so it's you know, that just was a different feel. And and in Korea, was South Korea, it was completely full, and it was you know? But but there, you've got fans going both ways. Like, you know, it's not a full home or away crowd. It's it's both.

So it's I don't know. There's just a different type of ownership to it, I guess.

Okay. So that once you're on the ice, you said, like, everything outside the glass is just energy. That routine, the importance of keeping it consistent. Can you walk us through some of the keys to your routine a little bit? Feel free to give examples if you're comfortable with it.

A lot again, you're talking to a lot of young goalies. We get a lot of parents and kids that listen to this on the way to the rink. And, you know, they're always looking for little tips, things they can maybe add to their routine. Sometimes sometimes it can get overwhelming if your routine gets too big. How has yours evolved over the years, and what are some of the keys?

Yeah. I think it's been a lot of trial and error over the years. Like, I think the one that's the biggest one that's probably stuck for my entire life has been listening to music. I love listening to music on the way to the rink, and I like to do, like, upbeat, positive kind of, like, not talking, like I don't know. Just stuff that's no sad songs, I guess.

Like, you know, you don't want that kind of energy, but just upbeat, loud, like, stuff I know that I can sing sing or know the lyrics to. And I don't sing out loud. Don't get me wrong. But, like yeah. And when I get to the game, the first thing I do, I always tape a stick.

And I think you know, we get to the rink, like, two hours before. Right? So you've got time to kill. And, like, for me, I'm as a person, I'm kind of an overthinker. So my biggest thing is keeping my mind busy and not thinking about hockey all too much until drop the puck.

I think for so I'll tape a stick and then generally get any treatment needs or whatever. And then I go play, like, go juggle the soccer ball with my teammates and and play sewer and just kind of keep it nice and loose, a lot of smiles, kind of get a little sweat going to, you know, feel warm and kind of just have fun with that. And then it's kind of once I start putting my gear on is kind of when I kinda go into my own little little world a little bit. I'm not much of a chatter. It's kinda nice, like, being on a team with Maddie this year because we both get each other and know what each other needs because we've been playing together for so long.

So, you know, I could sit right next to Maddie, and she knows, like, Nick probably doesn't wanna talk today. Whereas if Maddie's playing, I know Maddie will wanna chat. Like, you know? So it's kinda nice to have a goalie partner that you know so well and and kinda bounce off of. So and then on ice, yeah, it's kinda more just I don't know.

I only really put any, like, care in the warm up as the first like, we do the three shots from the top. You know? And you know you're gonna save all those. So, like, those are the ones where I'm like, yep. I feel good.

I feel good. Because, you know, you never know what the players are gonna do when they start shooting the pucks. If they feel like they need to feel good and they're just barred downing you in warm ups, like, you just gotta kinda roll with it. So I feel like just treating the warm up as the warm up and being good with your habits. That's something you mentioned Brennan.

That's something Brennan is big on that, you know, he always tells me, it doesn't matter how many goals in goals go in today, Nicole. We're just focused on our habits when I start to get frustrated or things like that. So kinda the same thing in warm ups. Just focus on doing the right things, and that's, you know, gonna prepare you more than how many goals go in and warm ups type thing or how many don't, whatever. And and from there, it's just kind of I'm definitely someone that gets pretty, like, nervous.

I kinda got to the point where it happened enough that I was that nervous and went out and played well that it was just kind of, like kind of picture that nervousness the same way I picture the crowd is, like, it's just energy.

Can feel it in the pit of my stomach most of the time, and I I, like, fought that for the longest time, I would say. Like, I shouldn't be this nervous. I shouldn't feel like this or, like, what? It's just a hockey game. And I kinda got to the point where it happened enough that I was that nervous and went out and played well that it was just kind of, like kind of picture that nervousness the same way I picture the crowd is, like, it's just energy.

It means you care. It means you wanna do well. So I just kind of know that that's, like, part of my process. Like, I'm gonna feel that way. Like, I'm gonna feel the nerves, gonna feel the butterflies, and, like, just kind of embrace it rather than fight it is kind of the way I I look at that.

I do a couple, like, breathing techniques just like one, two, three, hold, one, two, three out type thing, but nothing too crazy. I think it just kind of used to it at this point. So it's just kind of live with it. And then, yeah, between and then I guess, like, during the game, like, with TV timeouts and stuff like that, I go over to the bench and get a drink, and I don't really interact too much with anybody. Just, like, good job here or there.

But it's kind of, again, getting the water kind of preoccupied with what's going on and trying not to think too much and generally do, like, a couple skating things. Just, again, occupy the mind back in the net. Go for it. It's something kind of a little bit different this year. We've had TV timeouts before, but never this long and never this like, it's never consistent.

Some games you have and some games you don't. So kind of had to work this year a little bit more to, like, develop what I was gonna do during that time. Yeah. So that's kind of been one of the bigger adjustments more recently.

I I was gonna say, if people forget that is a big adjustment, I remember. Like like, you know, I can't remember who it was. It might have been Devon Levi. Like, he got to the world juniors, and for the first time, all of a sudden, there was these gaps in the game and sort of having to figure out, like, they're so long. How what do I do with my time?

And like you said, you especially if you're a thinker, you don't you don't Yeah. Know, like, the wheels can start spinning pretty quick up there if you don't get control of it or find ways to to manage it. I love that the the advice of embracing nervousness rather than trying to figure it out all the time. That can't have been an easy one to come to. Did you have help or was that a was that a as you said, a process of time, or did you were you talking with, you know, mental coaches, sports psychologists to to embrace it is a lot of people would probably still be fretting about it.

Heck, I played beer league, and I still fret about it.

I think it's kind of a combination of all those things. I think in college was when I really started, like, I would get so nervous before games. And it would be, like, you know, if we were going out and playing Wisconsin, and I knew I was gonna get fifty, sixty shots. And it was just, like, you know, like, just nervous. You you like, Brianna Decker is on the other team.

Like, she's one of the best players in the world. Like, things like that to gives you a lot to think a lot to get nervous about before a game. And I think it was it was honestly just repetition of being, like, seeing how many times that the way I felt necessarily before the game didn't necessarily impact how I played. You know? And kinda kinda the same thing with warm ups.

I've had horrible warm ups and gone out and played amazing after that, and I've had great warm ups and gone out and played horrible after that. So, you know, it's just like kind of having that experience over and over again. And and you mentioned, like, a sports psych coach. I wish that I had kind of understood or known what that kind of was all about earlier in my career. I would say it wasn't till I started making, like, Team USA teams that I even knew really what it was and and how to talk with them and stuff.

So I've I've gone with I probably have had two since that time that have been super helpful, and and some of it was just get them getting, like, me to understand me more. Like, the overthinking part of it was a big they were like, you know, yeah, kinda with your the way your personality type is, like, you you know, like, I really want like, like, I will feel so bad letting my teammates down that it's, like, important to me that to know that, like, they trust me and those kind of things. And I think, you know, to just be like, I didn't really really realize that's why I felt the way I did. You know? So just to under through those sports psychologists, understanding myself more just made it easier for me to be like, oh, this is why I feel that way.

Yep. Here's a way through that type thing that in talking with them. So I would say, yeah, I wish I knew those things earlier. Right. Yeah.

So that would have been that would have been nice, but yeah.

Well, those those sound, like, personalized too. Right? Like, they're they kinda fit into two categories. Right? There's this sort of little could be mantras or things stitched on your glove that help you find a moment or find a focal point.

We see it right up to the NHL. Guys have things written on their inside of their sticks, right, that are sort of more sort of general goalie things. And then there's truly understanding yourself and how your personality fits into how you react to things. Those are to me, those are kinda almost like two different levels of sort of, you know, mindset coach versus, you know, true sports psychologist.

Yeah. For sure. I mean, I would say a lot of the times when I talk to them, the conversation always starts out with just like, how are you doing in general? How's life? What's going on?

Like you know? And I think that was something I learned kind of I would I would say right after college was, you know, it is important to, like, take inventory of what's going on in your personal life, like, that those things can affect how you feel on the ice. I was like, Luuk, my goalie coach, he was like, you know, there were times we'd get on the ice and we didn't do anything, and I would we'd just sit there and, like, talk because something was going on. And, like, it wasn't gonna matter how many pucks I did or did not stop that day. Like, I wasn't gonna feel good about it, and it was you know?

And and to also understand that your performance on the ice doesn't, like, define you. I think that was a big learning thing for me too is to see myself as more than a goaltender, as more than a hockey player. Like, you know, we're all so many more things than just that. I think when I discovered that too, like, that was a big thing for me to, like, kinda relax a little bit, not to put so much pressure on myself and kinda started telling myself in college, you know, no matter whatever whatever happens today, like, I get to hug my parents after the game today because they're here. You know? So that was just, like, little things that I would little reminders kinda to myself throughout, the process.

And, obviously, there's a balance. Like, you have to be able to put things aside and go do your job too. You know? But, you know, it's it's okay to understand that there are days that that's just not gonna be possible, and you have to kind of understand how the rest of your life plays into your performance on the ice. And and to also understand that your performance on the ice doesn't, like, define you. I think that was a big learning thing for me too is to see myself as more than a goaltender, as more than a hockey player. Like, you know, we're all so many more things than just that. I think when I discovered that too, like, that was a big thing for me to, like, kinda relax a little bit, not to put so much pressure on myself and kinda started telling myself in college, you know, no matter whatever whatever happens today, like, I get to hug my parents after the game today because they're here. You know? So that was just, like, little things that I would little reminders kinda to myself throughout, the process.

Now, the the other part of that is there's sort of like the in the moments in the games when things happen, when you say you're an overthinker, are you is it the emotional side of worrying about or was it more were you analyzing plays afterwards? Which side of it? Or was it a little bit of everything by the sounds of

Yeah. Maybe a little bit of everything. I definitely say, like, I'm a perfectionist. So, like, there's definitely times in goal like, in practice or in in goalie sessions where I'd save the puck, I'd be like, nope. That wasn't right.

And it's like, you stop like, there's no right or wrong. The puck is not in the net. Like, that is what is important. You know? So kind of trying to find that balance of, like, wanting to be the absolute best every time you step on the ice and understanding that, like, you know, sometimes saves are saves.

So I think, yeah, for me, it's it's more of an analyzing thing. So I think for me, again, like, god, we have Jumbotrons now. We didn't always used to have those. So

it's Replays. Yeah. That's a bit that's a big one. I know goalies, you know, in in the NHL that, like, some of them rely on that as sort of, okay. That's what happened there.

They didn't see a tip or what actually happened to play and others that don't wanna have anything to do with it. So I guess you're having to figure that all out. Like, where does this fit into my routine?

Yeah. So I feel like so far, I've kind of I don't really I only watch it if it's if it is a a goal where I'm like, what happened? Like, I don't it was, you know, a screen or, like, it hit something, whatever. So those are kinda so far, that's kinda the way I've taken it. But yeah, again, it's just me trying not to overthink.

I have the same routine after getting scored on. I generally, like, take my hell it's kind of like take my helmet off, gloves off, kind of like reset, helmet back on. And that to me is kind of the, like, the reset, like, putting the helmet on again and

You're back in the back in the moment at that point. You're not reflecting anymore.

Yeah. Exactly. That's, like, for me, when it's time to, like you can think about it for a second or two, but then it's, like, you know, back in the back in the moment and kind of that, like, next shot focus, I guess.

Easiest thing to say I always say this. The easiest thing to say is next is a golf too. Right? Like, one shot one shot at a time, one shot. It's so easy to say, and yet so hard to do.

So hard. Yeah. For sure. It's taking a lot of taking a lot of goals being scored on me to kind of, like, figure out how to how to deal with it.

Oh, I love the advice. All this is stuff that's gonna resonate with a lot of other goalies. I kinda hinted at it a little bit before. Big Brian's athlete. Love the gear.

Love the designs. Do you still have like, because we have talked about, like, I know guys that write things. I know, you know, Brian's used to stitch things into the back of blockers. Share if you if you don't mind sharing the the the origins of the ice cream and the and the ice cream cone on the on it's on the glove, right, on the cuff?

It's on both. Yeah.

Okay.

So, yeah, that was one of those I was so I was in St Louis working with Luke Banker, my goalie coach, and was not having a great day, and I was getting frustrated. And he just kind of looked at me, and keep in mind, like, with him, I was skating at, like, 07:30AM. Like, that's when we get on the ice, and he goes, what would make you happy right now? Like, what can we do here? And I said, if I had some ice cream.

And he goes, oh. He was kinda like, okay? And so he goes, well, why don't you go get some stickers and put them on your glove, and that's what we'll do here. And so I I did just as a more as a joke than anything. I was like, fine.

I'll go to the store and get some stickers of ice cream, put them on my gloves. And so I did and came back with it, and we had a good laugh about it. And then when I got the opportunity to design my Brian's my first set of Brian's with USA Hockey, I I was like, I wonder if they could, like, do this. You know? And so I was like I'm talking to him on the phone.

I'm like, any way that you can just, you know, stitch an ice cream cone onto there? Like, this is kind of a weird request or whatever. And he goes, oh, no. We've had weirder. That is yep.

We can do that. Just send us whatever ice cream cone you want on there. And so it is kind of my, like you know, if you look at it, you do just it just makes me laugh a little bit and kinda can put me back in a good headspace to just be like, you know, the this started as a joke, and now it's been on every set of gear since then. And, yeah. So it's just kind of a good little fun reset for me.

Yeah. I love it. And perfect that you're with Brian's. Right? So the like, a company that I just had a a goalie that tests equipment for us and sent me a text this morning with this new set, and it's like, literally, one pad is, like, knights in armor, and the other side is, like, demons, and and they're fighting on his pads.

And I'm like, this is and when you see it cut and sewed like that, it's it's unreal what they can do. Yeah. They're so much fun. So you've mentioned perfectionist a couple of times, and that's a tough thing to be as a goalie. We're always looking right?

Like, technique matters, and the tighter we can be, the more efficient we can be. All those things matter. And yet, as you you talk about the replays or what the hell happened, like, the game is increasingly it's it's not perfect. Right? Like, it's just not perfect.

It's a funny shaped frozen object bouncing on ice and 10 people buzzing around us that it can hit.

Yeah.

Balancing those two, how like, I know you wanna be perfect in practice as you said and perfect technique. Like, is that a tough thing to, you know, manage and get away from? Like, sometimes good enough is good enough as long as you make the save, but you're still striving for perfect. How do you find that balance yourself, Nicole?

I think, like, for me, it's a and and you have to keep in mind too that for ever since college, for the most part, we play less than until this year, we played, like, less than 15, maybe 20 games a year. And, like so and then a lot of those are World Championship games where it's like, mistakes cost you dearly. So it's like, I feel like in the practices, knowing what was ahead or potentially ahead, it was like, you want to be as close to perfect as possible as know that you are going into those games as good as you can be because they all matter. Right. And and I think so.

For the longest time, it was spent you spent so much time practicing with, like, not always the most, like, game feedback to know exactly what you need to be working on that it was like I don't know. There was just you did want to be as perfect as you could be for that. And and I think now kind of it is kinda awesome to be playing so many games where it's like there isn't as much time to worry about the in between. It's like, well, you know, we played back to backs this weekend, and then we played on Wednesday too. So it was, like, kinda we played, like, three games in four days.

And so it was just, like, not a ton of time to analyze game one. Let's go to game two, and then let's get to game three. And so I think that's kind of the the thing to work through now is understanding, like, okay. I've got three games between three days between games. Like, let me take a look at, you know, some of the video from the last game, kinda analyze it.

Okay. Move on. You know, start kind of prepping for for the next opponent. So, I think, like, I've always been pretty good at practice is practice. I wanna be absolutely perfect there.

And then to just kind of let the instincts and athleticism take over in game.

So that's the found technique is the foundation, but you have to let it go once the puck drops in a game environment.

Yeah. Absolutely. Like, it's no matter what you try to do in practice, it's nearly impossible to replicate what's going to happen in a game. You know? Like, it's like like tips and screens.

You try to get players to stand in front of you. You try to get them to do what they would do in a game. You know? They don't wanna get hit with the puck. Get it?

But, like, I need you to do a flash screen this way and somebody else coming this way so I can you know? So it's hard to it's hard to replicate it. So I think to understand that, okay. I'm as good as I can be leading into this game. Have done you know, I think that leads to confidence too.

preparation is where your confidence comes from. To know that you've done all you can leading into that game, like, now just trust your trust yourself and go play hockey.

It's something our our team talked about this weekend. Like, preparation is where your confidence comes from. To know that you've done all you can leading into that game, like, now just trust your trust yourself and go play hockey. You know? And I think that goes for goaltenders and and players alike.

And yeah. It sounds like it's like when you were

in school. Right? Like, you're when you when you went into a test prepared, you weren't nervous.

Yeah. Exactly. You you know you did everything you could and, you know, you don't have to look back on it and wonder.

I think that so the perfectionist, the technique, all those elements probably tie into the habits you talked about earlier, like just having good habits, not focusing on results. Pucks go in. What would you say if I were to ask you what the foundation now if I was gonna have you and Matty on, I was gonna make you describe each other's games. Oh, okay. But if I ask you to describe your game, and the foundations of it and where your success is rooted, all this success you've had, what you you know, are there there's obviously different layers, and it probably evolves over time.

But what are what are the staples? What are the foundations? If I, you know, if a young person asks you, like, what should I focus on? What is the thing that's gonna be, you know, my differentiator as I as if I have that dialed in at a young age?

the biggest thing for me over the course of my career is my skating. I think I was very fortunate as a kid that I didn't even know exactly what was going on.

I think, like, the biggest biggest thing for me over the course of my career is my skating. I think I I was very fortunate as a kid that I didn't even know exactly what was going on. But, like, one of the dads on our team when our team was doing drills that weren't shooting. This is when I was, like, a squirt or, a peewee, and he would take me to the middle of the ice. And he was just one of the dads on our team, and he didn't he wasn't a goalie. He didn't know a ton about goalies, but he would just take me up there, and we did so much skating. Like, it wasn't even goalie skating necessarily, but it was moving in kind of awkward ways or, like, I don't know, knee up, knee down. Like, I so I spent so much time in my gear doing skating even though it wasn't necessarily t pushes and shuffles that I think that was really the foundation of, you know, my goalie skating was just being so comfortable in my gear on just doing all kinds of weird things.

They were all creative. Some days, we'd be doing weird stuff that was not goalie skating. Some days, it would be t push or shuffles, butterfly slides, all that stuff. So I would say that's kind of was the initial separator for me. I would say that's probably the strongest point of my game is my ability.

And I and I'm five six. I'm not huge. So I have to be able to get from point a to point b and set, like, quickly. So I think that was a big thing for me. And and kind of what I think I've developed over the course of my career is my play reading ability to have a a good idea of, you know, what options they have, who you know, who do who do my d have, what am my d gonna do.

I think that's kind of, you know, where the rest of it comes into play. Again, not huge. So need to know need to know where I'm going and get there quickly and set. So I think those are probably my two biggest biggest factors for me.

Skating, like, when you talk about it's funny you say weird, weird skating. Like, we see a lot of the drills now that like, they they're not confined within a crease. Like, Kerry used to talk to us about, you know, crease movement patterns were his foundation. But as the games become so dynamic offensively, we see more of these dynamic skating drills that don't look like what a goalie does in the crease, and they're designed to create edge control. It sounds like whether it was the parent or Luuk, sounds like you're ahead of the curve on those things.

Yeah. I don't know if we knew that we were ahead of it, but we, you know, we were just out there, especially when I was a kid, just kinda out there doing what we could when we didn't have any space. You know? And at the it's center ice when the players are doing who knows what in in the rest of the zone. But, yeah, I think I think that was I, obviously, I would say that I'm very fortunate to have had the natural ability with with some of it too, but, it was definitely something that beat into the ground.

Like, that that was one of the things I could control, and I could be close to perfect at was the skating part of it. You know? And then, yeah, to be able to use that then to my advantage to read plays, get places on my feet, like that, I think, made a big difference as as I got playing higher higher levels.

Well, I was gonna say, like, if you're a good skater and you read the play well, I would imagine this the other part that's increasingly important in the game at all levels, men's and women's eyes, patience. And and as you said, if you're not six foot three, this you know, the ability to hold edges, to not commit early, whether it's off a release or whether it's off a pass, probably funnels pretty naturally from being a good skater.

Yeah. I agree. I think, like, one of the things that Luke helped me Luke helped me with this kinda stop doing is, like, buckling my knees so early to get set. So then he's like, all you can do is go down now. Like, doesn't matter if they pass it or shoot it.

You're so buckled and committed to that.

So, like like, when I think of buckling, mean, like, knees sort of knocked inside and the edges out wide? So yeah.

And and so he's like even that was the biggest habit that he was able to, like, kick for me was and jeez, that took so much time when you've been doing that for so long.

I was gonna say that's not easy because that probably feels like that was your save stance probably. I guess when you got into save execution, you probably felt loaded in that stance. Yep. And and now you've gotta learn to be able to execute a save from a completely different biomechanical position. That's not an easy switch.

Oh, it was it was because he was, like, it was one of those things. He's like, you don't do it every time, but, like, when you think they're gonna shoot, like, you really then he goes, and then on top of that, now you're buckling yourself lower. Like, you're so short. Like, this just doesn't work. Like so it was just kinda like, okay.

Okay. Like, let's you know? And it took a lot of repetitions, but that that was probably that was probably the biggest difference later on in my career that that we changed that made a huge deal. Because I I would say, you know, as as an older goalie, it is so awesome to have goalie coaches that, like, let you be you, and then it's like, we're just gonna tweak this or, like, we're just gonna let's what if we did this instead of it and kind of, like, go back and forth with? It's interesting.

I feel like our position might be the only one in in the game where it's like you have more of a back and forth with your coach rather than coach being like, you do you do this. Like, yes or no. Like, no. That's just that's what you do. And I think that's what to have goalie coaches that you can go back and forth with in in a respectful manner, obviously, but, like, you see it this way.

They see it that way. Okay. Where can we meet in the middle or, like, what? Like, I think that's probably also made a big difference for me, to have that kinda support.

So have you ever had the other way where you've had a goalie coach just like, this is what we're doing without naming names? Because that can be tougher. Like, you see it, for kids, up until junior and even pro. Like, goalies will switch teams, and all of a sudden, there'll be a coach. It's like, and you wanna try new things, and you wanna put tools in the toolbox, but not everything works for every goalie.

Yeah. I think, like, I don't have any anyone in mind that was like, you were gonna stop. Like, we're gonna do this this way and, like, no questions asked. But I think for me, I was someone who wanted to know why we were doing something. And so I would get very I would get very frustrated when it was like, we're doing what a skating girl or this side or whatever, and you couldn't explain to me, like, if it didn't make sense to me, and I was like, why are we doing this?

And you could not explain why to me. Like, those things would get very frustrating for me. And I think it's because I I'm like I don't know. I I just wasn't someone who was gonna be like, you know, we're gonna skate up and down the ice or, like, do five we're gonna do however many butterfly slides it takes you to get down the ice. I'm like, well, why am I doing that?

Like, why do I need to do 50 butterfly slides up and down the ice? Like, can you explain that to me? And full of conditioning. I'm like, no. Because now I'm just doing it poorly up and down the ice.

Like, you know, I was I definitely could be a little bit of a a problem when it came to things I didn't understand. I I

But note note to young goalies. There's a way as you said earlier, you have to do it respectfully.

You gotta do it respectfully, and I'll be the first to say that I do fail in that category sometimes when I get frustrated, but definitely the definitely go up and apologize after. But but, yeah, I think, like, that's something I think it that at the end of the at the end of it, like, helps helps me be to understand the why, I think, as a person, that helps me. So it makes sense why as a goaltender, I'd wanna know the why. But but, yeah, don't maybe don't listen to me on that one, especially young kids. There's there's a reason your coach is telling you what to do, what you're doing.

Find that balance. It's okay to question things. Just just do it in the right way. Yeah. You met you mentioned play reading, and this is something we're obviously fascinated with because I do think, there can be I don't wanna say has been, but there can be a tendency for young goalies to always hesitate on this one because I don't wanna say goalie, school goalie.

I hate the phrase. But we can get stuck in a fur in a in a position where we're always doing the same drills. The puck always goes to the same spot. You're almost cheating the drill. Like, you just gotta this, this, this, and I'm here, and I drop.

Play reading, how how did you develop it? Like, is it just experience, just time? Did you use a lot of video? Because I know there were probably different phases where you wouldn't have had access to, you know, the amount of video you do now. How do you become good at reading the play?

That's a really good question. I think I think a lot of it is experience. Like, you see things over and over and over again and kind of in play it's playing with and against certain players for a long time too. Right. I think, like, kind of having an understanding of the game itself too.

some goalies maybe zone out because they're like, this doesn't apply to me. But, like, you know, what your team is trying to do offensively is probably what most teams are gonna try to do to you as well. So I think, like, that's one thing, I think, is understanding the game as a whole.

Like like, when you're sitting in a meeting where they're talking about how your team wants to attack offensively. So, like, some some goalies maybe zone out because they're like, this doesn't apply to me. But, like, you know, the while, yes, there are different ways to do things, most of the time, what your team is trying to do offensively is probably what most teams are gonna try to do to you as well. So I think, like, that's one thing, I think, is understanding the game as a whole. Like, what what are they looking for on a three on two?

Is there pressure coming on that f three, or is that person open? Or, like, is the f two driving hard to the net? Are they a tip option? And, like, kind of under so I think it's huge to understand how the other team is offensively trying to attack you and understanding how your defensive team when your team's on defense, how are they supposed to defend it? Like, how is your what are your team tactics of how you're supposed to defend it?

Because then you haven't they might not do it every time. Like, you still have to be ready for anything, but, like, you have a pretty good idea of, okay. This d is gonna step out to the wide player. This d is taking speed to the net. Like, to know those things kinda gives you a little bit more of an idea of what could happen.

So I think that's a big thing actually is paying attention in meetings that you actually don't think pertain to you. I think that was I was always I watched a ton of hockey as a kid.

I was I was just gonna ask. You you and you probably watched it with the same type of eye. Like, I'm guessing there was a sort of studious approach to it.

It was I think I I was blessed early on. One of our coaches, like, was very into, like, teaching you how to be a student of the game and, like, watch hockey and ask questions and learn and, like, that was something. I was still skating out at the time too. So then I was even more like, woah. This is you know?

So that was cool to have a coach that kind of emphasized that as a kid to, like, ask questions and that kind of thing. And then, you know, I was growing up in Colorado when they had Patrick Roy. So, like, it was very easy to wanna turn on the TV and watch him play. You know? And so I think when you do that and you watch a lot of hockey, and then, you know, I think that's that kinda helps at the same time.

And and not just watching where you're following the puck around, but what is, you know, what is Patrick Roy doing? What is Marc-Andre Fleury doing, like, when the puck is wherever it is?

Yeah. Did you take like, we've had some guys. I remember told me he took notes. Like, he used to keep a little notebook and and sort of try things in practice based on what he'd watch. Were you to that degree, or you just were paying paying attention and and sort of taking mental notes, so to speak?

Yeah. I I wasn't taking notes or anything. It was more just kinda watching and then, you know, like, see them do a, you know, butterfly, a windmill, like, pad stack save. And I was like, well, I might try that in practice this week. You know?

Well, which brings me which brings me to the XL Energy Center because we there may be one guy left that still does the old, what we call a butt the butter stack or the, you know, like, the windmills out of a butterfly slide turned into a two pad stack. Yeah. Have you one of the greatest of all time, also one of the greatest people of all time. When you're sharing a facility, do you get to have a chance to sort of, you know, watch the wild interact at all with some of those players? And, like, normally, it'd be like, yeah, just goalies, but, like, that one's kinda special.

That one yeah. Because I I started wearing 29 in high school because I loved Fleury. Okay. That was why I'm even 29. And so I've always loved him.

Like, I love his approach to the game. I love how much fun he has when he's on the ice. And, so it's actually when we were we had a rivalry series game with US and Canada in in Seattle last year, and the Kraken were playing, the Wild. And we were kinda joking. Me and Maddie were joking with our our media person, like, hey.

Like, any chance we can meet him after the game? Like and we just kinda were joking, not thinking there was a chance. And she was like she was like, yeah. Let me talk to their media person. And he came out, and and so did Gus.

Like, they both came out and talked to us for an extended period of time. And that was just one of those things where it was like, you know, they didn't have to do that. Like, they absolutely neither of them had to do that. And, you know, I think that that was just cool, you know, to get to chat with your idol for for a bit there. And then this year, we do kind of like, we generally on days they practice, like, practice after them.

So, you know, we'll be getting to the rink and walking around and kinda get to see what they're doing on the ice a little bit. But, yeah, when Fleury walks by the locker room, he's always like, where are the goalies? You know? And, like, kinda got to see him get one of his, like, commemorative masks for the year this year. It was cool.

And, you know, it just yeah. It is cool to to to see him around and, like, things like that. And, actually, like, one of my favorite stories about him happened after 2018. We won gold and kinda got to do some kind of a media tour for the team and then kinda got to go home to Colorado, and the Avs had me in to, like, drop the puck for a game. And they were playing the Vegas Golden Knights and got to drop the puck and everything.

And then our seats that they gave us were on the glass, like, behind Fleury in the second period And with some different stuff they had me doing before during the game, I didn't sit down in the seats till, like, midway through the second. So I don't even know how he knew I was over there. But my parents were with me, and they told me later. They were like, we saw he kept looking in the corner, and we didn't know what he was looking at. But, eventually, him and I made eye contact, and he took his gloves off and gave me, like, a thumbs up.

And I was just like, that is just, like you know, he's Canadian too. So it was just kinda like, you know, to his awareness and just, like I it was obviously something small, but just it was just cool. You know? And, like, I think it shows the kind of person he is, and and, obviously, he's a tremendous goaltender, and and it has been fun to to be in the same state as him for sure.

He's one of the one of the best both people and goaltenders. That's that's the combination that makes it so special. Right? You mentioned fun, though. Like, it seems like you have a you clearly have a passion for the position, whether it's the ice cream, then you also seem to like, he he talks about that playing last puck even when he's starting.

Like, those little routines, like, the importance of finding that balance of fun. It sounds like you found that too.

Yeah. I think some of it I would just tribute to, like, the teammates that I have. Like, you know, on team Minnesota or on USA Hockey, like, have a group that is get like, a core that gets along so well and has so much fun together on the ice and and obviously understands there's a job to be done, but, you know, we don't, like, we don't miss a second to smile and laugh and have fun and give each other, you know, a little extra during practice and and things like that. And I think that is generally when you're playing your best hockey is when you're having fun and smiling, and, you know, I think that goes for just about everybody. So, to have to have those people that make the rink fun to go to every day and and give you you know, obviously, you have your own reasons, and you wanna get better for your for yourself and for your team, but, like, to have people around you that you wanna play well for, I think, is is huge.

One of the other things in terms of as as the PWHL and you're in the XL Energy Center and there's fans and every the profile has increased. All star game. Now that's not normally one that's so fun for us goalie. But, like, are you are you trying to like, three on three especially. Like, you know, once you get older, that's the one that, you know, like, you could play every night as a goalie in the beer league world.

Once you the ones you tend to turn down are the three on three ones. I I know you're not turning down the all star game, but, like, do you wish maybe there were a couple more players out there? How's how's your approach heading into this big week?

You know, I am just basically approaching it as it is a celebration of hockey, and it's not for me. You know? It'll be it'll be fun, and and I'm just hoping that both teams get a chance to really showcase, like, the skill we have in our game and and the ability of of our players. So, you know, I think at the end of the day, that's what's really important, and it's I've never got to do anything like this before. So for the most part, I'm just looking forward to kinda taking it in and and enjoying it.

And and at the end of the day, it's three on three, and whatever happens happens.

I love that. That's the approach you have to have to three on three in general. It's just go out there and have fun. I've really enjoyed this conversation. I I the fact you read the you talked about reading the game means I am probably gonna at some point take you up on a ProReads.

It's time we now that we got the PWHL, it's time we expand that, and take it outside the NHL. I just yeah. Nicole, thank you so much for your time. This is great. I hope you have a fantastic week in Toronto, three on three game aside, and just continued success.

Yeah. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. And, yeah, can't can't wait to go through it.

Outro

That was fantastic, Woody. Thanks for thanks for bringing that to us. Thanks for expanding the horizons of a lot of our listeners and bringing a lot of the young women who are listening to this podcast, maybe a little bit closer to the game as well. Fantastic and looking forward to more of those.

Yeah. And thanks to thanks to Nicole for all her time. Absolutely. Like forty five minutes and, just so gracious with their time. And, you know, in typical Woody fashion, you had to ask a few extra ones and push it a little longer. But I just you know what? Like like I said, there were so many takeaways.

I don't care if you're a young goalie, male, female, beer league, whatever. So many great little insights there that you can bring into your game. Take onto the ice and try, and you'll be better for it.

Yeah. Listen. The guys in the NHL, they know what's coming when they head into Vancouver, but I don't think that the women knew that they had to sit down for hour long interviews with Kevin Woodley every time he calls. So thank you ladies. Really appreciate you putting up with Woody.

And, thanks for sharing all your information with, and all your experience with, with all of our listeners. Just fantastic. Just before we hit the road here, Woody, because I know we got a lot going on behind the scenes. What's going on over at ingoalmag.com?

Well, we teased it there with Nicole. The beauty of their games being on YouTube means, I can be digging out some highlights and potentially running some ProReads with the goalies in the PWHL Oh, that'd

be awesome.

In the near future. But in the meantime, we continue to do that with the NHL guys. We've had, I can't even remember who the latest one. Matt Murray. We went back to Matt Murray this week.

He may not be playing right now in the NHL, because of the hip surgery, but remains one of our, like, all time best sort of ProReads guys. And so, went back to Matt with another great breakdown this week. We had Jet Greaves last week who's headed to the AHL all star game. And a little tease, I can't launch it just yet. We spent forty five minutes breaking down video with Maple Leaf's goaltender Joseph Woll as he comes back from a high ankle sprain, and we'll be able to bring that to you in the near future as he makes his way back on the ice.

He was, as he has been on the ice before the ankle injury this season, incredible in that format.

That is awesome. Maybe he can just hear him on the piano too. Maybe he could do the new intro for InGoal. That would be a pretty good way to go. Listen, just wanted to say on the Matt Murray thing, I get to listen to the whole interview.

We just sort of cut out the individual ProReads for everybody. As Kevin is talking about how much he loves the work of Matt Murray in these ProReads, he is dead serious because I get to listen to the stuff in between where he is absolutely fanboy ing with Matt telling him how impressed he is with these incredible reads. Like it is the guy's insights are just fantastic. So please go check out the latest with, with Matt Murray. The other thing that we've got up, Woody, is, another five damn things.

I think we're up to about 20 damn things now that we've got on the website, something like that, with our good friend James Wendland. And we've been talking about getting together for more, great things with James. This one is five damn things on a Bosu ball. You know that funny little half ball that's sitting in the corner in the gym. If you're not sure how to use it, not sure how to make it goalie specific, check out five damn things in the Bosu ball this week.

Yep. Great advice from James. Always good to catch up with him and, look for a lot more coming in the near future. We've got a few, guests some guests we've had in the past, some breathing exercises coming, some vision work coming. It's been a little bit hectic.

We're trying to catch up and bring you even more content here in the coming weeks. So try to get our feet back under us and, after a busy couple of weeks with with with for me, the Canucks being in town for an extended home streak, the all star break is maybe not a break from work, but it's a break and a chance to catch up on content and keep making sure that we're bringing goalies, fresh stuff to help improve their game on the ice.

Fantastic. Wherever you are listening to this podcast, if you're a goalie, a goalie parent, a goalie coach, take a second, send us a note, info@InGoalMag.com. We'd love to hear from you, who you are, where you're listening, what you like about the show. It's always great to hear from people. Thank you so much to our friends over at the hockey shop and hockeyshop.com as always for making this show possible, for our friends at NHL Sense Arena, for bringing the feature interview with Nicole Hensley as they do every week.

And thank you to you for listening. On behalf of Daren Millard on the All Star Break, Kevin Woodley, and myself, I wish you all a fantastic week in InGoal.