InGoal Radio Episode 252 with Jiri Patera

Intro

Just to paint a picture for everybody tuning in. David Hutchison has changed the angle of his camera, and it has us absolutely loud. Woody and I can't get over the different background. It's unbelievable what we're being exposed to right now. Daren Millard on InGoal Radio Podcast presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley, thehockeyshop.com with the cofounders of InGoal Magazine, Kevin Woodley and David Hutchison.

Hutch, tell us about this decision to turn the camera on a different angle because we're looking at things we've never seen before in the background. Different pads, different jerseys, different shelves, things on the shelf equipment.

I don't know. I'm just a little worried because now I look at it in my head sort of sideways. And instead of just seeing the front of my nose, you can see how big it is now. So it's a good thing we're not going on video.

I didn't even know you had a nose. Well

I was just gonna I was just gonna say that I didn't know you had a good side. Smoke and

mirrors, Brilliant. It it it reminds me of Sense Arena in a way. All the different angles, all the different looks that you can have with with Sense Arena, NHL Sense Arena VR.

Sure can. And Sense Arena, which we've told you is an awesome thing to dig into for the spring. And Daren, I told you last week to dig into the neurocognitive stuff. How did that go?

I I did it. I was just hanging out maybe like in the side of the bed. And my wife said, what are you doing? I'm like, I'm just going through this list of activities. Like, are you stopping pucks again?

I'm like, no. I'm doing this. And then I couldn't think of a name. And it's it's some kind of cognitive thing that and it's neurocognitive. Right?

Sure. That sounds good. It sounds fancy, so I'm I'm going with it.

It it was fun. It was a it was a cool thing to do. And, and then she left. I didn't know she'd left, and I was talking to her for about, ten minutes and, not realizing that I was alone in the room.

So many tools in Sense Arena that you can even use it safely in bed in the evening. But there's even bigger news from our friends at Sense Arena this week, guys. NHL Sense Arena, by the way, is the official name now, is becoming the first ever interactive NHL VR platform to hit Meta's most widely used and curated VR app store. Until now, you've had to install Sense Arena through their app lab, which is, I don't want to say experimental, but not the easiest way to get ahold of things. Not as curated, not as sort of recognized by Meta, the people who own Quest.

But now in the main Meta store, in your head headset, you can go and grab Sense Arena much easier, much more convenient. And they've added a game pass option. So if somebody wants to just give it a go for a day, you can buy a game pass on Sense Arena now. Check it out, see what you think of it before you decide if, as most InGoal listeners, I would think, you want to invest in an annual pass to make Sense Arena part of your training. So if you're interested in Sense Arena for this year, for the spring to add to your routine this summer so you can become a better goalie for next year, go grab it now.

Details at sensearena.com, but you can go into the main Meta Quest store to grab Sense Arena now, guys.

Do you have an option on NHL Sense Arena to pop into Hutch's office to be able to do it like a 360?

Well, we should talk to them about maybe making this the new venue. There's all these beautiful outdoor venues, winter classic, all that sort of stuff, Hutch's office. I might have to clean up before they bring in the cameras, but, yeah, I'd be willing to do that, boys.

I'm excited about that. And we we could do Woody's office with the jerseys and the sticks in the background. I think I think there's something here.

I I I feel I'm being mocked here.

No. You're not. You're gonna be out perfectly honest

with Olympic and world championship frame signed jerseys in the background. You've got a beautiful mask collection, and I've got a couple of old jerseys hung on the bookshelf.

What did we talk about before we started recording? Was your new background and I I asked I thought you were in a different spot, like a different location, in fact. Well yep. So it's legit.

Changed the auto reality.

Perception is reality now with Hutch. Are you so awkward and uncomfortable talking about yourself?

Don't know. Because I'm a hockey player. You're not supposed to talk about yourself. I do just want to thank the boys for getting the pucks in deep. Guys were back checking hard tonight.

They just like without you guys, I couldn't bring it to this show. So

yep. We've got a a conversation that I wanna dive into about a goalie rotation in the playoffs. It looks like it's gonna happen on one front and maybe two, and there's gonna be some ham and egging going on as some team other teams bounce back and forth. Are we closer to it being a normal occurrence? Or how many years do you think we it takes before we get to a goalie rotation being widely accepted and just, one of your normal options.

I wanna get into that, in just a little bit. We've also got the Gear Segment brought to you by The Hockey Shop, going through some neck protection. Jiri Patera is our NHL Sense Arena feature interview, and, he's playing in the American Hockey League right now with the Henderson Silver Knights. Spent the last, parts of the last two years up with the Stanley Cup champion, Vegas Golden Knights. And this is a fun interview because he just oozes passion and fun and electricity.

It's really cool. And one of the great stories is about that that Woody has with him is about his dad and when he found out that he was gonna be a goalie. So a a lot to get to today.

Lots of good stuff. Lots of good stuff. But first, I think we need to give people a little heads up. It's still almost two months away. But before we get into today's stuff, June 15, this is a save the dater from our friends at the Hockey Shop.

TendyFest 6 is on at the Fleetwood Ice Rink Community Center in Surrey, British Columbia, not too far from their store in Langley. Me and Hutch checked it out. Great facility. Couple of sheets there. I think they're actually gonna have three sheets of ice, one to 5PM, June 15 at Fleetwood.

We talk all about the deals that they have at the Hockey Shop, how they're the best place to go to get the latest and the greatest, and this is the best time of year at Tendy Fest to go take it on the ice. Hockey Shop has a great demo program, so you can always typically go there and try gear, take it out, try it. But this is the time to get on the ice in multiple different sets on the same day. So make sure you save that date. If you can come join us, we'll be there.

Tendy Fest, one to 5PM at the Fleetwood Ice Rink in Surrey on June 15. We hope to see you out.

Could work out perfectly. The Stanley Cup was awarded June 13 last year. So June 15 will be should be on the heels, of the Stanley Cup, playoffs, wrapping up, and who knows in the Lower Mainland, what that, that means to hockey fans there.

We'll send the InGoal PJ down to pick you up, Daren.

Please,

After you finish hoisting the cup this year for the second straight year, we'll just we'll have you whisked up here on the private jet.

Tell me about the, the loaner program, the demo program. And do you think you have to be right there to pick it up? I wonder if they can if can can ship it if you're in Calgary and you wanna try it?

I I No. We've we've dealt with the shipping of gear because we do a lot of testing and we get a lot of requests from I mean, it's especially the way shipping is now, it's well over a $100 just to ship it each way. So you'd be looking at a couple $100 just to ship it back and forth in Canada. So definitely not that, but if you're in the Lower Mainland and I would suggest if you're, you know, even near like, even, like, an hour and a half outside, you know, we certainly know people from The States that have come up and maybe you're coming up for a camp. You reach out to the guys at the Hockey Shop, reach out to Cam and his crew because there might be an opportunity there.

Say you're coming up for a goalie camp per week in the Lower Mainland, something you can investigate with them. Can you take it out for a day, and and give it a try and, you know, see if it's for you? Because, you know, hey. Let's let's face it. Gear's expensive.

So try before you buy is a great way to do it. And as I said, June 15 at, TendyFest is definitely the best opportunity to try new gear before you buy for next season.

I can't wait to get into the gear segment dealing with neck protection where I get to mock Hutch and Woody. Even though it's not the danglers, I'm still going to mock Hutch and Woody about their ambivalence towards protecting themselves and taking care of themselves. So we'll get into that in just a little bit. But first, the the parent segment, one of the great additions to InGoal Radio, the podcast. And today is something that not everybody has to worry about, but is a very significant decision in your journey if you are one lucky enough to be or fortunate enough, have worked hard enough to be an elite goaltender.

So I'm just gonna I don't want to say take exception with that, Daren, but maybe disagree just slightly. The reason that we brought in today's question, at what age does my son or daughter need an agent? The reason we brought it in is because so many young goaltenders at a much younger age than you would think, Daren, start getting emails, texts, approached in rinks, telling them that their kid needs an agent. Because there's a lot of folks out there that are trying to drum up business. I got one, gosh, Mattie was 10 or 11.

I got an email guys from a former professional official turned agent who was basically trying to scare me into signing with him, telling my kid wouldn't have any opportunities, wouldn't be able to play the game at a high unless he signed with this guy as an agent at a ridiculously young age. And because of that, I get all kinds of emails from parents asking, know, when did Maddie get an agent? When did you guys decide to go with somebody? What do I do? My kid's been approached.

There is a lot of questions out there from people, far more than you think. So we thought it would be great to get an answer to that. So we went to an expert and that's Ray Petkau of Alpha Sports who happens to represent Matthew. And we asked him that question and got him to, give us his thoughts. I just Before we head into the segment though, guys, I want to say a couple of things.

One is we talk about agent, but we don't don't really get into the question of agent versus adviser. If you are headed down the NCAA route, if you want to go to college to maintain your eligibility, you cannot have an agent. You must pay an advisor to answer your questions and represent you. They are not a commissioned agent. They're not somebody who has the chance to make money off of your kid at some point down the line.

They're just there to offer advice. And in the interview, we even talk about it being mandatory to pay an advisor and it is if you want to maintain your NCAA eligibility. There's a minimum amount that they actually tell these agents that they have to charge if kids want to maintain their eligibility or so I am told. In the discussion today, Ray talks about, as I already have, there are a number of unscrupulous folks out there that are charging for you to say. Charging five

call them shady.

$10,000 and more to represent kids. And you do need to be careful and be wary about those folks. What I do want to say that doesn't come up in the discussion, guys, the parent segment is presented by the Stop It U app that, Daren, I know you've been digging into. Stop It Goaltending actually provides an advising service. And it was a 100% coincidental that Brian Daccord and I had a chat this week, and he was telling me about this service and it actually fits beautifully with this discussion.

Because Brian also doesn't like that there's people out there charging kids $5-10,000 to represent them. So they offer an advising service. He has a full time advisor on staff and it's done only as a monthly commitment. It is significantly less. I think he said it was a $180 a month.

And they will be your adviser. They will help you in team placement. They will help you with all the questions that you have around that. It's a real nice middle ground for people who need some support, need some experience, but don't really want to go down that full route that we talk about in today's discussion. So Stop It U the app is a fantastic place to go for all your resources as a goaltender.

But also if you have questions about an advisor, maybe your kid's a little bit younger, maybe your kid's not a little bit younger, You're just trying to sort this all out for yourself. Stop It's a great place to go, guys.

Yeah. Hey. And before we get to Ray Petkau, Stop It. You're you're right, Hutch. The world's most comprehensive app for goalies, goalie parents, and goalie coaches.

They've got multiple tiers, multiple levels. They now also include a membership to InGoal Magazine, InGoal Premium as part of your purchase at Stop It app so you can get the best of both worlds. Everything we bring you at InGoal and everything that the Stop It Goaltending U app brings. Couple of quick ones this week. Daily primers included think like a messiah, not like a victim.

One of their quick videos, a new content was a goalie power pep pep talk and how to get confidence. A nice little five minute video on how to give yourself confidence heading into a game or a practice or a tryout. And a full video, their goalie extra this week on spring tournaments. They spent twenty minutes breaking that down. Just, a handful of the many options that can help you become a better goaltender available at the Stop It Goaltending U app.

Parent Playbook

Awesome stuff. Here is Hutch with Ray Petkau, talking about the agency side of our journey on InGoal Radio Podcast.

Okay. I'm here for a very quick conversation today with, Ray Petkau of Alpha Hockey. Full disclosure, Ray has been a good personal friend for many years and does represent my son, Matthew, who you've heard about on the podcast before. But this is a more generic question. We're not recruiting for Alpha Hockey.

In fact, I think, Ray, you probably work with a a pretty select clientele, but the generic question here for the day is, when does my son or daughter need an agent or adviser?

Yes. I get that question all the time, as you can imagine. I get it via phone call, in person, email, text, through friends. I I hear it all the time. And so it's a it's a different answer for almost everyone, of course, because

Oh, great. It's not easy.

It's not easy. No. Yeah. Some sometimes a player needs an agent as young as and it it almost pains me to say this, but almost, at at 14, it that's that's possible where players need an agent at that point for the the really higher end players.

But Is that because you're heading into the CHL draft ages?

Yes. That's right. Yes. Now my opinion is, not, and this may upset some people in in our industry because there are there are a lot of agencies whose their revenue is based on on a a billing where they charge young players a a set fee, and it's, sometimes that's where the lines get blurred a little bit as to who needs an agent and who doesn't. It's almost for there are some agencies and maybe not the more reputable ones where they will take anyone who's willing to pay a fee.

Mhmmm

so I do advise against that for the most part. There are some good ones who are doing that. But I think it's very important to start by saying, look for an NHL PA certified agency. If the end goal is to play professional hockey and most kids in this country and others, of course, your listeners and viewers are everywhere. If the end goal is to play in the NHL, you need an NHL PA certified agent.

That is the first question or the first thing I I would check, and you can check the NHL certified agent list on the NHL PA website, nhlpa.com.

K.

Extremely important. Seeing too many players get bad advice from people who seem to have credentials, but they actually don't. They're not certified. And and in fact, there are some in the business right now operating. It it appears as though they may be certified based on what they say, but they aren't.

So and I'm sorry to kinda go off into that rabbit hole, but it's an important thing to discuss when discussing agents. And, of course, it's the usually the first contacts for for players and families with with agents, and and they don't know these things. So but with the age with with young players at, that who are looking at the Bantam draft, they without a doubt, almost all of them need advice. They need some guidance. And and and I I I should clarify, there are some of the agencies who are charging a fee, and it's legit, and it's fine.

It's they're not all out to to take advantage. In fact, few are out to take advantage of of families, but there are those, and and so it's important to look out for that. But as far as hiring an agent, unless you unless the player is likely to be a a higher pick who is going to be asked to sign fairly quickly after the draft Mhmm. The really, all they need is advice, and you can get advice from a lot of great people in the game. Often, I recommend talking to a trusted coach, maybe a a family who's been through it, maybe mom or dad of of a a player who knows kind of the ins and outs based on their experience.

They they could give advice. There's a lot of ways. There's a lot of information online, but it that's not all accurate, unfortunately. So, talking to a trusted, trusted current coach, former coach, maybe just, if a family is in the game and and there there are some people who they know, who are scouts, And it's maybe hard to to find, unbiased people in in certain situations that can happen. But I would say, like, the average player who even if they're going to be drafted in the Western League or OHL queue or wherever it might be, you know, a mid round pick, they don't really need an agent for the most part.

And and yet if they if they get an agent, at least wait until you are at that point where you're going to be drafted and or it's very likely you will be drafted because at that point, a team may present you with a contract. And and once you are asked to sign a contract in the in in major junior, especially, you really should have someone look over that and and advise you of of the the rights that you have and don't have if you sign that. Currently, there are there are, of course, two major paths in in hockey, junior hockey for mostly Canadian players, which is the the CHL and junior a or or the BCHL level now, which is technically not junior a. It's it's it's kind of its own its own new thing.

Its own beast. Yeah.

Right. And, and so the NCAA path, of course, follows that, for a lot of those players. And, and that looks like it may change, and that's an entirely different topic, but it's a big one.

We'll come back to you.

Yeah. Sure. So there are a lot of those types of things where families, especially if they haven't been around the game for a long time, it it's okay at that point to start having those conversations. I have a lot of a lot of conversations with players and families that are what I just call no strings attached. It may be a situation where I'm not even really interested in representing this player simply because for us, we're a small group and and we don't recruit a lot of players.

Mhmm. I really want to make sure that the players we recruit will require the services of an NHL agent in the future. Others who are set up maybe where their focus is more helping players with NCAA scholarships and things like that, and that's where the fees come in, and those are okay, where that's the goal. They will-

Not just okay. Am I not right that they're required if you're NCAA?

Exactly. That that's required at this point, and that's changed over the years. We went from not being able to invoice players to it becoming mandatory if if the goal is to play NCAA hockey or if they are currently in NCAA hockey. So and and I'm sure all of that sounds it ends up sounding fairly confusing for some listeners who are not familiar with this. And they're like, well, you have all this these things that you're saying, but why shouldn't we hire an agent?

It's it's just that advice is necessary for for pretty much everyone, especially where there there's just not a lot of knowledge in the family about it. But to lock in with an agent at a very young age, I always prefer that it's, if for the players that we sign and and full disclosure, we have one 15 year old client right now, and and then we we have very few players in each, draft year. Usually, it's one or two. Mhmm. And but 15 being our youngest, and and and he's likely going to be a first round draft pick in in the Western League draft here and and could be a top 10, but we're not sure yet, of course.

And those are the types of players where there that is that there's a big benefit to having, an agent at that point. The I get I always get back to, you know, when do you how do you decide if if you need that advice? If you just can't get advice through family, friends, or a former coach, and and you should be able to get advice from from a coach, that that shouldn't be that difficult. Right? There's a and there's so many great people in this game.

And at that point, maybe it's okay to make contact. I mean, it's anytime it's okay to make contact with an agent, but I I would just be careful not to jump, at the first agent that someone speaks with. I I usually request anyone that we're interested in in, signing as a client. I prefer they have conversations with other agents as well just so they understand, the different, first of all, personalities, but also different maybe specialties or areas, of of extra interest for one agency compared to another one. And, and to have a good fit is obviously very important because this is someone who will end up, working very closely with, at times, personal matters as well in a player's life.

For sure.

So so it's it's just something that I see a lot of people rush into. Young players have an agent approach them or the family, and and, it's exciting. They they look around and, you know, they all know other players who have agents at a young age. And, you know, sometimes there's there's a few things involved. Maybe there's a camp or some players get sticks from their agents and and things like that.

They get excited. There's there's that

Fear of missing out.

Yeah. Right. Yes. And

But there's a related question, Ray, if if I may. I think there's a lot of fear and some of it put on to people just by the rumor mill, some probably by some less experienced agents trying to recruit clients. But there's that fear, if I don't have an agent, I won't get drafted. Or if I have an agent, I might get drafted higher. Right.

Even to the point of I won't get on a good team.

Yep. Right.

You know, maybe even at the midget level, people are worried if they don't have representation. You can't really affect much of that as an agent, can you?

But what I find is that as as a whole, agents and and I have been guilty of this myself in in the past, and I try to be very honest with with myself as well as others, of course, what what we can affect, what what type of you know, where where is our value? And and a lot of times in our industry, we overhype what we can do in a draft. To be very honest, there's some maybe draft manipulation, if you want to call it that. There's some of that, but an agent isn't going to be the difference between a player going in the first round and the eighth round. Their three team the junior level has a paid scouting staff and they're not all paid.

Some of them are volunteer and and others are are paid, but, they they are putting literally hundreds of hours into scouting and watching hockey. There are, there are services that are not affiliated with with teams in the in junior hockey, who provide scouting services. And they are usually paid scouts as well. These are often at least smart hockey people who are watching. They are paid to watch.

It is their job to know who's out there. Players don't really get missed anymore. It's exciting to see players develop late, but they unless a player was was playing in some league obscure league that is maybe a much lower level, it's pretty hard to miss a player these days with the amount of scouts who are out there watching almost at every level at this point.

And you probably can't just phone up an OHL general manager and say, I know little Jimmy's playing in an obscure league that nobody's ever seen. You should draft him. I don't think that guy's gonna draft him.

He's not gonna draft him. He might

Might get invited to a camp or something?

Might get invited to a camp. He might send a scout out. In all likelihood, they would just have somebody log on to the Internet.

Yes. And watch it.

And and they'd watch a video. Well, they'd watch film on this player. At and usually, that's where it would stop because, again, players haven't been missed for the most part. And and the draft manipulation, yes, there are times when you you call a team or two or or you you have a list of teams that are your preferred destination. You have the opposite where you this player doesn't wanna go for whatever reason.

It's not something I love doing. I I I hate calling a GM and saying, look. This player that I know you've been watching and are interested in doesn't if you draft him, he's not going to come. He won't sign. And I've I've been told off in in in a phone call like that where the GM said, you know, basically, it's a it's an f u.

If we wanna pay it, we will. And and if he doesn't wanna sign, he doesn't have to, but, you know, where else is he gonna go? That isn't very common, but I've I've called teams in the past and said, you know, for whatever reason, and you have to do it as respectfully as possible. But you're telling a GM something they don't wanna hear. Mhmm.

And and you're saying this player won't come if you if you draft him. And and the way I've approached it is I I really just wanna save you the headache of drafting a player who who won't come. And, usually, it's because they their choice is to play NCAA hockey, and they're going to go that route. But occasionally, and I've been honest with GMs, occasionally, it's just the the family's decided, no. Our our son's not going to go there.

And when he's 18, maybe. Mhmm. But till he's at that age, he just we won't allow him to play that far away from home is often the the case where it's far. And and and a family has every right to do that. And sometimes you have to make those difficult calls.

But that's where some draft manipulation can happen. But as far as effective

not a case of you need to have an agent if you wanna get drafted?

No. Absolutely not. Absolutely not. And and to put a camp after the draft and and outside of some of the top picks that a team would would use a first or second round pick, outside of that, I usually recommend, not signing until you have a roster spot on that team because you just never know what will happen. So that that is it that's not a a hard a hard set rule that I have, but it's a little bit of a guideline.

Why would you sign? And I I know what a what a team says why they would want a player to sign early. But for me, I like to have my options open as long as possible with with something like where am I going to play. So I like to I like to have players sign only once they have a roster spot offered, not a not a a tryout, not training camp or anything like that. It's gotta be more than than that.

It has to be a roster spot. And and, again, there are there are changes to that rule.

For sure. Well, that's that's fantastic, Ray. Thank you. I think we've probably raised more questions. Probably.

So we may need to revisit this at another time. Everybody knows they can hit us up, parents@InGoalMag.com, and you'll get, what advice we can offer as well and as many questions answered from experts like Ray as we can as well. Ray, thanks so much for taking a few minutes.

Absolutely. Thank you.

Love Razor. Bump into him every now and then at different tournaments, including prospect tournaments. I think I'm the only one that's allowed that he permits to call him Razor. And I I don't even do it to his face. I just, like, say, hey.

In my head, I'm like, oh, there's Razor. I'll go talk to him. Razor. Right back home.

Might have to give it a try.

Steinbach, Manitoba. Steinbach, Manitoba.

It's definitely the only Razor from Steinbach, if indeed that is a nickname that really exists, but we're gonna have to try out the next time we see him, see how we react. Daren just making it up as he goes here.

Just a footnote on on your conversation with Ray, Hutch.

Sure. It was a it was a great conversation. We do bring up that, there's often people out there you can turn to for advice in this area and you should coaches, managers, and so on. And if you would like, you can get in touch with us, parents@ingoalmag.com. Whether you've got a question about this area or another question that we might bring up on the on a future parent segment presented by the Stop It You app, let us know.

We'd love to hear from you.

And you should make some time the first time that you go on the app, on the Stop It Goal Tending U app, because you will end up down a rabbit hole before you know it. And all of a sudden, it's it's like your kids on TikTok. Four hours go by. Like, what? I just did that, and I did 42 brief lessons, and it it's awesome stuff by by great goaltenders.

Some you know, and some you you don't know, but it's a it's a cool way to get exposed to our deeper world of goaltending. Awesome talk. Every now and then, I think Woody's Woody's gonna chime in there, and and 99% of the time, I'm right. He does. He does.

And and that there's one time every year where he doesn't. And I'm just I'm like, what what just happened there? Is is is he muted? There's a little behind the scenes as we go.

The truth is I need to start doing some more neurocognitive drills in Sense Arena so I can keep up.

Because Woody's like me, he's got the the physical tells where he holds up a pen or or his hand or he's nodding and he's leaning into the mic and I'm like, there there we go. This is as we go, the organic part of the the podcast. Woody.

Woody may have just had an email come in from his bosses about his playoff coverage today that he had to quickly check and might not have been looking at you as he made those motions, and that's why it threw you off.

In interesting, when you talk about advancements, like the Stop It Goaltending U app and what you can learn there, you've got the NHL Sense Arena program that educates you. And over at the Hockey Shop Source for Sports, this this is telling. Like, this is immediate. You guys talked about the sale that was happening over with Cam and Company and the fact that we've never heard of the the Bauer 960 mask being on sale. I checked it out last night just because I was I was curious.

And I may have been, like, in the back of my mind, do I pull the trigger just to have one sitting there? Just just to have one. They're already out of mediums. Like, they they I think there's three left in the store, the Bauer 960 mask. You guys have an impact.

What do you have an impact?

This is a good lesson, folks. When we start talking about something going on sale at the Hockey Shop, make sure you act because I don't know if you've heard, but there's a fair you know, like, not to give ourselves the, I need the back padding machine.

You just went full Don Taylor there.

Full goalies here. Few goalies out there that listen to the podcast. So, the word got out, and the 960's are being snapped up quickly. As Daren said, there might be a couple left, but there's always other things on sales part of that great Bauer sale. So make sure you go check it out.

It it is the place to to go for for everything. Skate sharpening, take your blades in there, get them get them done up four or five at a time. Like, accessories is one of my favorite parts because I'm on the the website all the time. But I would I would do anything to be able to go to TendyFest, and hopefully, I can make it up. June 15 is the TendyFest date for TendyFest 6.

Gear

The Gear Segment this week dealing with neck protection. You have managed to sidestep the dangler conversation out of fear of another lecture, but where is your angle with neck protection?

Well, this to me is something that I must have because I don't wear a dangler. So my neck protection better be bloody good, both in terms of skate cuts. Get into that. Was certified BNQ certified. What is?

What isn't? But also, you know, some of the more advanced foams we're seeing out there, a little more impact resistant foams. You can still get a traditional one that's just a little, you know, HD or SD foam, couple different layers, but we've seen some some evolutions there as well. And so we figured we were long past due to catch up with Cam to bring us up to speed on some of the different options, including some sort of that are built into shirts that we happen to see from one of the new Flyers goaltenders. I can't remember actually if it was Fedotov or one of the other kids they brought up.

And Jason Mertitis who does a bunch of broadcast work for the Philadelphia Flyers sent me a picture of this goalie wearing the sort of shirt with the built in chest and clavicle protector and said that he just like, this looks great. This is he loves it. This is what he wants. And I'm like, we just reviewed this last week with Cam. It's the CCM sort of shirt neck protection.

So we've got that on this one. One I actually, to be honest with you, wasn't fully aware of. Cam explains them all in this week's Gear Segment.

Welcome back to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports. We're here in Goalie Utopia surrounded by all kinds of goalie gear and Cam. And Kevin. Check neck guards. Neck guards.

That's what we're doing today. It's been a day. It's been a minute. It has been a while since we've done neck guards. Exactly.

So there's a few things that

are new. Some of these we've

touched on at various points over the years. Yes. Well, I guess we're starting with Warrior because you're holding it up. We've got we've got pretty much every brand and every type. Let me ask you before we get into one specific one.

Okay. What are the biggest things you need to know, say if I've got a young goaltender, youth hockey, minimum requirements, I believe they call it BNQ certified. BNQ certified. So what that means is that there's ballistics nylon in the actual neckline itself. So that's going to help prevent against that skate cut potential issue.

BNQ certified. So what that means is that there's ballistics nylon in the actual neckline itself. So that's going to help prevent against that skate cut potential issue.

So important for minor hockey, all minor hockey in And US? All ages in Canada for sure. In The US, there are some different rules when it comes to neck protection. Make sure you know what your rules are, your local association before you buy, but that's what they mean by BNQ. Correct.

With each one of these, we will say yes or no to BNQ. Let's start with the Warrior. Let's go back to the Warrior.

Come on.

Yeah. Back to the Warrior. Okay.

Because you had it first. Yes. I've got RX four because I've got the latest and the greatest because I'm kinda cool like that. Cam's got the old one, RX three. Are there are there differences?

So they have updated the nylon on the actual RX four neck guard. But that said, that doesn't mean the RX three is any slouch itself. So fundamentally, they stayed with a very, very similar design between the two. Reason being is because it worked really well. So if you're looking for something along the lines of similar to a Maltese neck guard and things like that, that's like a nice thick foam and I like the sewing Almost the gel style impact.

Feels like it would be, like you said, the Maltese, like something along those lines that used to be custom options only. This is sort of the closest equivalent you can just sort of go buy off the rack off the shelf here at the Hockey Shop. Is it BNQ certified? No. Okay.

So this is more adult junior. However, however, however, quick note with all of these neck guards, if you do feel like you don't want a certified neck guard, but you still are required to wear, you know, a BNQ certified neck guard, you can always look at wearing one of the player turtleneck undergarments that have the B and Q ballistics nylon in it, and then pop this up and over top. So you will be covered. Okay. This is our this is our higher end product, but you've got one on sale.

Yes. Okay. What's next? Okay. So let's talk about certified neck guard.

Power Pro. So this design There's turtleneck right there. That's correct. That's the one. Kevlar.

Yes. That's a good thing. Yes. Help prevent against sharp objects. So this design itself has been around for a little while now.

Good impact protection. Again, focused on that ballistics nylon up top in that overall neckline itself. You're getting that kevlar in there as well. So that's giving you that protection against that skate cut. There's a B and Q certified version, which is the pro, and then the uncertified version is called the elite.

Okay. So this is kind of, you know, again, not as thick of foam as we were seeing sort of in the Warrior one, just more. Different style. Yeah. Okay.

Next. So Aegis D3O, talking about impact protection. So this is just the Aegis Interceptor. There's also the Interceptor Pro that are available. I wear that. Really like that. Both are B and Q certified. So if you're looking for something extremely protective with that impact protection and B and Q certified, check out the Aegis neck guards. Good product. K.

On to the next one. Me? Sure. Brian's. So Brian's has come out actually with a quite nice neck guard in terms of her overall wraparound and impact protection. Only downside, not B and Q certified. I like the texture. However, high neckline, very protective. This neck guard kind of reminds me, you know, similar ish to even almost close to a COVID neck guard, to be honest. Okay.

[crosstalk] Not I mean, thick. Yes. That's a thick piece of protection. That's beefy. Beefy.

Beefy Brian's.

Little less beefy.

Vaughn. 7,000 neck guard. You've seen this baby around for a number of years. Tuuka Rask Used to wear one. Still see it in the show all

the time.

Exactly. So pro sir pro endorsed, we'll call it. Yeah. Couple different colors. B and Q certified?

Yes. Red, navy, black options. They also have their uncertified line as well, being their V 10 pro carbon. And again, certified versus uncertified, up to you. You make your best decision based off of your local rules. Shirts.

Shirt, neck, guard. So this

both of these will give you some additional sternum protection, which is the idea behind both of these styles of shirts. Vaughn has carries one. CCM has had one. So CCM has their standard neck guard without the shirt, but they also have their pro neck guard, which includes the shirt and the sternum protection. Again, it's depending on what you're looking for.

If you're looking for them or that impact reduction, especially on those chest shots in particular. B and Q certified. Both. Are B and Q certified. That's correct. Vaughn 9,000. That's like a mesh, like no truth to the rumor that Cam took the neck guard off this and wore this to the beach with a Hawaii 89 spray painted onto the chest. What's he gonna say? I just love the beach.

100% I could see you in that. I love the beach. Old school. Love it, Cam. If you have any questions, you can give me a call.

[crosstalk] (604) 589-8299 or 1-800-567-7790. If you just wanna see Cam walking around at the beach wearing this with Hawaii eighty nine, pay You know where you won't find that, you will find the neck guards at thehockeyshop.com. We might try and slip in an image of Cam at thehockeyshop.com one of these days. We're working on it folks. Neck guards.

What do you think the percentages of professional goaltenders who wear the neck protection under their upper body? The the clavicle and and the neck. High. Very high. Like, a 100%?

I don't know if it's a 100, but it's gonna be pretty high because I think fewer of them do it around the neck and more about the clavicle.

Yeah. Yeah. I agree with that.

I can't think of people I've seen without it. I don't know.

Mean, all kinds of rooms. Don't know that I've ever seen like like, even the days of guys just wearing the old sort of, you know, basic Vaughn are shrinking and shrinking. Guys are looking for the most part for more protection. Like you said, the way these guys shoot, it's it's about having more foam and more protection sort of, yes, the neck, but underneath the clavicle area and sort of that double coverage in there for sure. I've seen actually you know, it's funny.

I have seen a lot of the shirts. We made fun of Cam because there's a little mesh to that shirt. You guys know we're old enough to remember the old Hawaii '85 shirts with the big holes in it. I know, baby. Rocking those.

And I've definitely seen more and more of those in the NHL for sure. Like like a beefier protection underneath the chest protector. See a lot of the custom ones.

Wouldn't have anything to do with making the chest protector sit higher.

No. I've seen a few padded shirts that definitely do that. Both. Including the one that Daren Daren wears to try and make himself look huge when he's skating with the Golden Knights. That Vaughn one adds a cup add add adds at least a good half inch to your shoulder height.

That wasn't a flattering picture I sent to you. That was supposed to be, like, no trace camping. That was ugly. I sent him my

head after picture. We didn't put it on the socials. The before picture was a lot better than the after picture. Let's put it that way.

Here's the thing about the the the clavicle protection and and those those pieces that come up protect the neck a little bit. I think they're even more important with the modern approach of players shooting from either behind the goal line or down the goal line, short side shelf, and trying to bank it off goalies heads to to lack a better description of the strategy. You're getting pucks that are going off your shoulder and underneath your mask a lot more during games with that than than you ever have before.

Fair comment.

Yeah. To be yeah. I'd never even thought of that. And, honestly, we're seeing it tried in practice as well. Goalies.

Not just by shooters, but by goalie coach. Shout out Ben VanderKlok of the Nashville Predators. I was watching, buddy. I saw that short side shelf around Jusse in the drill the other day. It was bar and out, though, as he was preparing to celebrate the ultimate short side backhand tuck.

It was the shot of shots. It went far and out, not far and in. So he was close. Hell of a shot, Ben.

So just, yeah, keep in that mind. Wear a dangler. It it takes away a lot of opportunities for the pucks to get through. But if you're stubborn like Hutch and Woody, make sure you've got the other protection that's added onto it. And I I think if it's not above 95%, then I would be I would be shocked that that most guys are wearing that that type of protection.

I agree.

I believe. I have I I don't think I've I can't remember the last guy I saw that didn't didn't have something hanging in his locker room specifically for neck and and sort of clavicle protection.

Daren, as you're pointing out the, studio that I'm sitting in right now, I should point out that behind Daren, there's a good I can see eight different masks hanging on Daren's wall and none has a dangler on it.

Because I take them off to to wear them.

No. They're so important. You should be advertising them, Daren.

I have one dangler in here. You're right. You're right. And the dangler never go out of style. Like, I I've got old, old danglers that are might be 20 years old.

I wanna see on the Golden Knights practice facility with a nice gold shiny dangler. Wanna be able to dangler.

See through it. Although, I can't see through. Anyway, I'm not very good. And I said, you got a hole in your glove? Like, yeah.

Little hole in my head. Jiri Patera is coming up with our NHL Sense Arena feature interview. But before we get to that, just a a comment as we embark on the Stanley Cup playoffs. And it looks like Boston is going to rotate, at least to start. They're going to rotate.

This may change, but it's going to be a planned flip flop of the two goaltenders throughout the first round. Anybody else in a boat? I I think there's gonna be a a lot of different goaltenders where we'll see teams play multiple goaltenders. But the Boston's kind of on the verge of something where they felt they strayed away from it last year and it cost them, and they're they're sold at and and really dialed into it this year. Woody?

I think there's a chance, although they won't commit to it or comment on it publicly, but it seems just reading the tea leaves and sort of the rotation heading into the playoffs, there's a chance to see it in Carolina too. Frederik Andersen's been fantastic coming back fresh and and after such a long absence, like, deserves a ton of applause. But that's a long time without games. And for him because of the blood clots, would imagine a long time without being able to sort of, you know, do a lot of the work, physically to get ready to play. Pyotr Kochetkov has been brilliant in the second half of the season.

I could see them going back and forth as well. So I we have to wait to see if how it all plays out there, but, it's nice to see teams at least publicly considering it, and using it and embracing the idea that if it worked in the regular season, it can work in the postseason. The teams have been so risk adverse for so long. You know? And and listen, like we saw in reason why last year, I fully understood why and was on board with, and I still think it was the right decision for the Minnesota Wild to go to Marc-Andre Fleury in game two.

They went multiple overtimes in game one with Filip Gustavsson in Dallas, one of the hottest rinks in the league. And so they went to Fleury in game two. They'd they'd rotated. They played well all season. The only thing that didn't happen is is is Flower had had an off game.

And so, but the way he had played down the stretch in that that rotating role, I thought it was the right call there. But the criticism they received for it was the reason we see teams not willing to try it because you really are putting yourself out there as a coach. I think the fact that it failed the other way for Boston is one of the largest reasons we're finally gonna see it.

So it's up to Swayman and Ullmark to make this work. Yep. For the

rest of the goalie union.

Yep. For any for any chance to have this carry forward, it's up to Swayman and Ullmark.

Yeah. Like, the weight of the weight of a goalie nation and a goalie writer named Kevin Woodley who has been pitching this idea in columns leading into the playoffs for about eight years now. Please, boys, do it for me.

It's a good way of avoiding risk in another direction. I mean, obviously

Well, that's what it is this year.

Yeah. Well, well, it's also if you do get to the obviously, you end up with a a goaltender who's more rested, which we often talk about as being an important thing. And if heaven forbid somebody gets injured, you don't have a guy who's been sitting on the bench for four weeks having to come in and and desperately win. So you could argue that it is risk adverse even though any change from what the norm is is a greater risk for a coach to take in the eyes of most.

And let's not forget. Listen. Like, to, you know, to give Montgomery a bit of a break on last year, Linus Ullmark was the Vezina Trophy winner. Right? And deservedly so.

So kinda hard to go away from that guy. They had a three one lead in the series against Florida. He was you know what I mean? So, like, I I sort of get it as well in terms of why they didn't last year, but the problem was they'd done it all year. So asking him to all of a sudden play seven in a row when he had an all season, you know, that became a bit of a problem.

So listen. Like, this has happened before at other levels. It happens in the American League more than I think we hear about. I think the last team to I will say it's since '95 was the last one where I remember it being a pure back and forth no matter what it was Corey Schwab and Mike Dunham did a peer back and forth rotation all the way to the Calder Cup. But I do think we see a lot more switching at that level because of the schedules back and forth and both goalies being used in a more purposeful fashion than we see in the NHL.

And teams win championships down there with it. So, I've always sort of wondered we you know, how many other than Vasilevskiyy, everybody's needed two for how long now. So why not just use them more purposely rather than waiting in a in case of emergency break glass situation?

We will have opportunities to discuss this further because it will be a story until Boston wins or is knocked out. There there is going to be times where they lose a game, and the question is going to be, will you stick with your rotation, or will you ride the next guy a little bit longer? So it's gonna be fun to get through that. A retirement, an exit from the world of goaltending in the National Hockey League that was announced this week, Woody.

Yeah. And we probably should have had this higher in the show. My bad. Pavel Francouz, who I had the opportunity to meet, once. Unfortunately, I wish I'd had more opportunities.

Maybe we'll try and get him on the show because it was a real delight, and I was a big fan of him as a goaltender. I know other goalie coaches were. I thought he was a really good find for the Colorado Avalanche. Gave them a lot of good minutes before the health caught up with him a little bit. He announced his retirement this week.

I don't wanna speak out of turn because I've only seen translations. It sounds like he's gonna do some coaching. It sounds like he's gonna do some media work at the world championships. But like I said, because I've only seen translations, it sounds like there was a a perhaps a degenerative situation with the knee, and it just it was, you know, kinda like carry, something that he just couldn't play through anymore. But there's a guy that you know, I know when when he started with the Avs, there were other teams around the league, goalie coaches that were like, man, if this guy makes it to free agency, we like this guy's game.

And I thought there was a lot to love about his game as well. So patient off the release, so calm, held his edges so well. He just seemed really well suited to where to where the NHL was going the last couple of years. And so, you know, sorry to see him not be able to continue his career, just because I really enjoyed watching him play and also because, you know, obviously, it's that's a tough break for anyone to have to go through. But sounds like he's got some plans on the other side, and maybe we can maybe we can add him to the show here in the next couple of weeks so he can catch us up in person.

Because like I said, that one conversation we had in the press box here in Vancouver one year when he wasn't playing was a real delight as short as it was.

I would like to have been a fly on the wall for that discussion in the press box. Press box conversations are one of two ways, either that you're looking to get away or they're looking to get away right away or they end up going on and you missed, like, a period and a half.

We referenced that conversation in a past episode. We didn't have him on the pod, but we referenced the conversation a past episode because he recognized the voice.

That's what it was. Yeah.

That's what it was. He recognized my voice because he was a listener to the podcast, which was which, of course, I'm gonna talk about because that's a pretty darn cool moment for me. Right?

Darn right it is.

Yeah. It was it was neat. And he was a real like I said, just he seemed like a just a really great guy. And like I said, a hell of a goaltender as well.

All your car commercials in the the Lower Mainland with with Kevin Woodley from InGoal Magazine. Let's let's get into our feature interview conversation brought to you by NHL's Sense Arena, Jiri Patera from the one of the most beautiful places on the planet in Prague. And and now he applies his trade in Vegas with the Golden Knights and the Henderson Silver Knights, product of the Western Hockey League by way of the Brandon Wheat Kings. And this is sometimes you gotta look under the hood. You don't know much about a guy, and then you discover, boy, this this this thing is built for speed because there's a lot in here with Jiri.

Yeah. You know what? And I don't wanna give any of the way. We'll just get to it. I think the word that I would if I had to pick one word to describe this, it would be joy.

Yeah. There's just a pure joy for the position, learning, for evolution, for the advice he shares in everything he does related to goaltending, for his dad's role in his career. There's just a real watching other goalies and why he loved to watch them, And he shares that joy really openly with us, and it creates a very fun and still informative, enjoyable conversation with Jiri Patera presented by NHL Sense Arena. It's a beauty, and he seems to be too. Really excited to welcome to the InGoal Radio Podcast first time guest, Jiri Patera of the Vegas Golden Knights and Henderson Silver Knights.

Feature Interview - Jiri Patera

I guess, first off, Jiri, we're kinda winding down the season, late in the year. How how are things with you? How's the season been? I know there's been a little bit of up and down between Vegas and Henderson. I guess, first off, maybe how do you balance that between the two?

What are the biggest differences you see?

Well, thank you for having me, first of all. And, yeah, it's been an, it's been an up and down season when, it's a little bit harder to get in a rhythm when you don't play, you know, many games. You sit out for, let's say, two, three weeks, then you get a game, then you get sent out, play a few, get called back up. So obviously, it's a little bit harder to stay in stay in I don't wanna say game shape, but just stay in the rhythm. But at the same time, obviously, every time you get called up, try to bring the best to the team and each game that you get in the game, you just try to outwork the other guy on the other side of the ice and try to get to win.

So that stays the same. But, yeah, again, it's it's been a great time up in Vegas, when I get called up. And when I'm in Henderson, I just try to work my butt off and just, you know, show that I belong in a big league, and that's my main goal. So yeah.

What's the biggest difference for you in terms of maybe how it affects your game or or how you try not to let it affect your game in terms of the styles of play at the two different levels and the types of chances you might see from the AHL to the NHL?

I find a lot of the biggest difference is guys making plays under pressure.

It's I would say the speed, obviously, it's it might it's a little bit faster than the AHL. The players the players are obviously, there's a lot of skilled players in the American League, but not on the same level, you know, with the same speed. The guys can get a pass to their feet, quickly put it back on their stick, and just under pressure. I find a lot of the biggest difference is guys making plays under pressure. You know, that's that's the biggest difference for for me, seeing that in practice, seeing that in the in the games, and just some some plays that some guys, you know, like McDavid or Draisitl or just like the top level players that what can they do with the puck, especially under pressure or two guys on on top of them.

So that is the biggest difference, I think. And just reading the play for me, especially reading the play, knowing knowing where all the guys are, let's say, the rush, knowing if there's a one timer option, if there's a middle lane drive option and all that. Just it's a little bit harder. I find it a little bit tougher to read because you the guys always try to make the best plays. And, yeah, just reading reading the play makes a huge difference for me, especially just, going from the American League to the NHL.

Well, I that's reading the play is something that ends up being a really hot topic around here. It's something we focus on over on the website with our ProReads segment. And we're always asking guys, like, you know, so for you, it's getting used to the pace of the NHL. How do you get better at it? Like, if it's a strength of your game, how did it become a strength of your game outside of just reps and playing?

Is there anything you've done over the years to sort of get better at connecting those patterns at each level?

Well, obviously, it's a summers and years of hard work. Right? Yep. Obviously, I think my big strength is my big strength is my speed. So I think I'm really, really fast on a lateral place, which helps me a lot reading before I actually have to move.

It's it's a little bit I think it's a little bit different for every goalie. Right? Every goalie plays a different way. But for me, it was more adjusting to the depth, you know, trying to be trying to have to have a good depth that also comes from reading a play. Right?

If you only have a one player coming down on you from the side, there's a defenseman just holding the middle or just brushing it from the middle, he's not going to cut in. Can be a little bit further out, you can be on the top of the crease or maybe heels on the top of the crease, but in some situation, you obviously got to read it when there's like a let's say the guy just goes in a corner or he's looking to make a pass, you obviously got to be a little bit mindful of what are the other threats and just work. I feel like the biggest step I made this year was my depth with reading reading the play ahead and just knowing where I should be standing in the crease, like, on a certain situations. Right? Like, obviously, you don't wanna be too high caught up when there's a backdoor play or when there's a rebound coming off your pad or something like that.

So you gotta play a touch deeper, but also deep enough to make that first save. Right? So it's something in between that I've been kind of working on, and I think my I got a lot better at better better at this season as the season went on. And, again, that comes with games played and just the more more pucks that go on in that, the more experience I'd say you have in this in these situations.

Depth, you know, we think of depth as being where you are when a shot's taken, but when you talk about managing that depth, like, does it change when you talk about backing up a little bit? Is sort of that where you are initially? You can still step out if you read an open look? Like, are you starting about an initial depth being a little bit more conservative further back than it would have been in the past?

It's like So back four years, if I go back four, five years, they mostly wanted me It was a different goalie coach here in Vegas. They mostly wanted me to take ice instead of InGoal or take depth instead of InGoal. Right. So that was a really big challenge for me because me coming out from a Czech league, 18 years old, I had a lot of good coaches back home, but they would coach us a little bit differently. So here's just coming.

I felt like I wasn't quick enough, which to me was crazy because back home, I felt like I was the fastest goalie, you know, and just I was lateral placed. I was really I was really fast, but obviously, I was overplaying overplaying a lot of plays where I would just do a split for no reason, try to make a huge save, you know, like a save that's relatively simple, make it look big, and stuff like that. So I got rid of all of that. And then when when Berkey is our coach now, he wants more he wants us to be more in the crease, stay controlled, and, you know, depth wise in the crease rather than rather than getting us ourselves in trouble being on, you know, further out, and then you get into trouble for not recovering or you're scrambling back or you ended up on your butt or you start scrambling, you don't know what's happening. So that for me was the biggest jump, just trying to take away the angle instead of depth.

Sometimes you don't have enough time, right, to get on the top of the crease and make a save on a one time that is shot from the hash mark. Sometimes you just need to get what you can get and just try to stay square and react to the shot, which obviously sometimes is hard. Sometimes you're lucky that it hits you. Sometimes you you know, sometimes it's a snipe. But at the same time, yeah, just that was the biggest jump from when when the goalie change happened in Vegas because it was more it's more just taking the angle and stay in control and increase, don't panic, and just stay very patient, which I think my patience has been very good.

But, again, like, it's it's another tool that you need a you need a master. So I'm trying to get a get better at it as well.

Well, that would be very different, right, as opposed to sort of maybe out early and having a little bit of flow to just sitting and waiting. It sounds like the it's a really easy thing to do, but as a goalie, we all know how hard it is. Is there anything you've done to sort of help you get comfortable just sort of sitting and holding edges and and being patient back there? Because it like I said, patience is a really easy word to say, and sometimes in this position, one of the hardest things to pull off.

Yeah. That's right. It's so, obviously, everything has has has its pros and cons. If you're further out, you take away more net, but at the same time, you have less time to react to the shot. Right?

Which when you're a little bit I don't wanna say I don't wanna say, like, deep as Hank played, like Lundqvist played. I can't play like that or Mike Smith.

Or Sean Burke or Sean Burke when he played.

Or or Berkey. But, obviously, I'm not as tall of a goalie as, you know, if you compare me to, like, Vasilevskiy or Oettinger or, you know, Bishop when those guys play. They could play a little bit deeper than I could play right now. But for me, it was just working on it, you know, every practice. And even if you get scored on, it's just a it's such a big adjustment.

You just try to get you try to master it. And, obviously, in practices, when let's say you have a drill where you're getting scored on, you don't you obviously don't wanna get scored on in a practice, but if you're if you're changing something up, it's a little bit harder to make saves. Right? So I'm really happy that we have Freddie and that we have Berkey up top that, you know, they're just they're gonna tell you, you're you're working on one thing right now. Like, you're eventually gonna get better at it.

The fact that you're getting scored on in the practice, like, those are grade a chances that don't happen 30 times in a game. You know? So what I was doing, was just be playing a little bit deeper than I would wanna play just to get a little bit just to get a little, like, a feel for it. And then when the game came, and I would be, like, three quarters to the top of the crease or just a little bit touch under the top of the crease, and I would feel like I'm way too far out in but in the in reality, I'm, like, still in the crease, and it, you know, feel feels good. So that's how I would kind of manage it or, like, how I would deal with it because it was again, it was a big adjustment.

I was very aggressive goalie, and I would try to be heels to the top of the crease. And these last years kind of changed a little bit. So, yeah, just still trying to get better at it. Still not perfect, obviously, but I feel it's getting better.

That's some that's some great advice, and I think great advice for coaches. Right? Because as a goalie, when you get into those practice situations, it's so nice that the goalie coaches are communicating that to you because I think at younger years, you're worried about the head coach sort of watching all these pucks go in. Right?

Yeah. Exactly. And and Which is great because, you know, obviously, you it it sucks. Right? Like, let's say you get called up and, like, you you're letting, like, four goals and four shots, and you're like, oh, your coaches are looking or whatever.

But at the same time, like, they're seeing all the good saves that you're making in a practice. Like, obviously, every goalie is not gonna make a I haven't seen a goalie make every single save in a practice. Right? Like, it's it's a harder thing to do. Obviously, the shooters are the best in the world.

You're trying to get you're trying to get to be the best in the world in your position. So but, yeah, again, like like, if you're trying to get better at it, you're not gonna be perfect at it the first five, six, seven times you try. Right? Like, it's gonna take some time to adjust to it and get better at something.

You mentioned goalie coaching growing up. I'm I'm curious. Right? Because we've seen a lot of great goalies more and more coming like yourself coming from The Czech Republic. What what's it like back home?

The support, the infrastructure for young goaltenders. How did you get started, and when did it become serious where you sort of had some of those voices helping you out?

So I started my dad actually didn't like that I was a goalie because he was a forward. He was a forward, and growing up, he obviously wanted to raise a forward. And I I got into the net because I was going to my to practice with my mom, and my mom didn't really you know, she was just like, oh, just let let's have him fun. If he wants to be a goalie, I'll just let him be a goalie. After, like, six months six months go by, my dad takes me to practice.

And my dad had his hockey still, so his seasons was was still going on, so he didn't really have much time to take me to practices. And then he figured out that I'm a goalie, and he he was just he he was not happy. And he tried he tried to get me out. He we went on the I was I think I was, like, eight or nine years old. He would take me in the backyard, and he was just he would start shooting, like, a tennis balls in my head and my helmet, and he tried to get me out.

I was just like, I knew he was doing it on purpose right away. But anyway, I started when I was like nine. I went I started in Goal when I was like eight or nine years old, fully you know, you kinda like switch in your going in and out. You're sometimes you're a forward, sometimes you're a d. And then I kind of stuck with it.

I thought, I guess, I outplayed all the other goalies. And then, yeah, I just stuck with it. And I had a really good coach back in the day that he was a really he was a photographer, but he was a really good friend of Dominic Hasek. And so we would have we would have him coach us, and he got me an age when you're like so probably from, like, eight years old to, like, 13 or 12 years old, something like that. But we would be doing the old school, stack the pads and stuff like that, like a poke check and a sprain.

Those old school goalie practices, in my opinion, we didn't really think anything, oh, we're just doing a Then I had a goalie coach, then I had a different one from like age of 14 to like, I'd say 18, and I was still every time I would even when I got back from the North America, I would always skate with him. And I'd say for me, it's again, I changed my style in the last year or so or two years so much that it's a it's a little bit different than what they were coaching back home. They coached me to be very, you know, very aggressive, like, hard pushes, strong pushes, and just, you know, strong stops and just being very, very aggressive and be just, you know, play the I really like to play the puck because my dad always encouraged me to you know, if you're ever gonna play in the NHL, it's like, you need to know how to handle a puck. So I was just like, as I know from the young age of trying to go behind the net, play the puck. So in case they have these two goalies that are on the same level, they'll be like, oh, this guy should play the puck.

You know, like, always have something up. And, yeah, I think it's it's hard to say what the goalie coaches were coaching. I think that I had good coaches as, like, people that they had I I I think I was a very hardworking kid where the coaches sometimes they had to be patient with me, but I always did I always did what the coaches were telling me. Right? So if they told me, you know, we want you to be doing a shuffle here or a t push here, I would be just doing it.

And then as I was doing it, would just get better and better at, you know, what they would tell me. And then I was just like, I think I have one bad coach where I was kind of rattled a little bit. Then my dad told me, he's like, Just take all the good things from every coach that tells you and just try to piece them together. If there's something that you don't agree with, just work do whatever works for you. And, yeah, it's I mean, that's what I was that's what I've been doing pretty much my whole career, like, since I became a goer, just trying to be a good listener and just trying to listen I was just trying to do whatever the coach tells me.

The coaches, I'd say the coaches back home were hard on us, very hard on us. They wanted us to work very hard. They if if you got scored on five-zero goal and you wouldn't go down, there there was they would be, like, looking at you like, you know, what the hell are you doing? Like, you're not trying. Pretty much, you're not trying.

It's not like now it's like you're trying to read the sticks. Sometimes, you know, it doesn't work. But back, you know, when you're 15, 14, they're looking at it like, oh, this kid's not trying. Obviously, I wanted to make every single save in the practice. I was rattled when I had a practice when you're not having your day, so I was really upset about those practices, especially your dad is watching.

You wanna, you know, you wanna impress your dad on every practice, and my dad would come watch every practice. So, yeah. And obviously, I think my dad's been really, really hard at the because I needed it. Right? I think every kid needs it to be to be, you know, to work.

And, obviously, I had my times where I would I would be cocky sometimes. I had, like, couple of good games, and I was cocky. And then my dad would just immediately, like, make me let me know, make sure that I know, you know, that's not the way that's not the way to behave and all that stuff. So I think I think that kind of all comes together, like, all the coaches that you know, my dad was always like, make sure he works hard to the goalie coaches. Like, make sure he works.

If he wants to play hockey, don't let him do it half assed. Yeah, that kind of worked for me, and I never really had problem with, I'd say discipline. So, you know, when the coach told me to do something, I always did it. And I just try I always try to kept a happy face on it even if I, you know, if I didn't like it. But, yeah, I think that all kind of comes all together.

Just my dad being hard on me and just my my goalie coaches being patient with me at times and just, you know, they also were hard on me, but into into a certain level. But, yeah, that kind of all comes together for me.

That your dad it's funny because you mentioned your dad didn't initially want you to be a goalie. But now if I understand correctly, does does your dad, like, paint your masks now in the NHL? Can you tell me how that came to be? Is he an artist? That's so cool.

Yeah. So first, it started off when I first got my mask. So I had my first mask ever. I always played with a player's helmet till I was probably 11 years old. I got my first mask.

I don't know if the time was right. I don't know. But I got my first mask, and he was putting, like, stickers on it, but not, like, stickers where you put, like, one sticker and, like, he would put, like, the whole helmet helmet. Like, he would wrap it in, a certain how do you say like a wrap foil kind of? And he would like he would have to like, you know, he would have to like cut it out in a certain way and like, you know, he would put like, I play for Slavia Praha so it would be just red and white and a little bit of black, just really a little bit.

And then he I don't even know when that started but he did it for like three, four years and then he's like, alright, I'm gonna start painting your helmet. I'm like, alright. Like, I didn't you know, like, even when you're a young kid, I didn't really think anything of it because you're like, you know, like, my dad would, like, figure out someone else, like, who would, like, paint it for me. So I now but now when I'm older, I'm like, thank god, like, my dad does it because he's just like, know, I come home, and, you know, like, I come home, like, what would you think would look good on the helmet for next year? He gives me all the ideas.

I tell him what I kind of wanna do, and he's like, I don't really like that idea. I'm gonna come up with something else. And he has just so much time, and he only does it for me. So it's just it's so nice that I don't have to, like, deal with it in the summer where, like, I have two helmets for the season all the time. He paints.

But, But, yeah, I think it started when I was, like, 16. He's first started painting it, and he's actually he's doing an amazing job. Like, every time I, like, see it, I'm, like, just, like, holy. Like, I can't believe that my dad did it. And he takes his time.

But, But, yeah, I think it started when I was, like, 16. He's first started painting it, and he's actually he's doing an amazing job. Like, every time I, like, see it, I'm, like, just, like, holy. Like, I can't believe that my dad did it. And he takes his time.

Like, he's trying to make him look really good. And this last year, I asked him to do a silhouette on the on my on my chin of the mask, like a Vegas one over here and a Prague one. And he was just like he's like, there's no chance. Like, I'll be able to do it. Like like, I'm losing my sight.

Like, I need, like, I need glasses for this stuff. Like, I don't know if I'll be able to do it. Next week, I come back home. He's like, like, I did it, but, like, I don't think it looks very good. I look at him.

I'm like, are you kidding me? Like, that looks amazing. Like, I could not picture it better.

I love it.

I'm grateful that he's doing it. He said that it last this season was the last year he's doing it. He also said it three times before that. So I I think I can get him going till hopefully, till my thirties.

I love, Jiri. That is an awesome story. So who is so your dad obviously had a big influence on you. Yeah. Just, you know, pushing you to excel and all those things, and I think that might be the neatest mask story we've had.

And I'm twenty plus years into this. I've heard a lot of good ones. That might be the best one. Who's your guy? Like, you mentioned Hasek and and, you know, somebody who knew him or a friend of his being an early goalie coach.

Like, is he automatically the guy growing up, or were you watching guys in the NHL and imitating them? How did that work growing up? Who did you wanna be when you were you were a young kid playing Goal?

So I had, like, two phases. One, where I only knew one name for Montreal. It was Jose Theodore. Yep. But that was when I was really, really young.

And then when I grew grew up a little bit, I started watching the NHL. My favorite guy was when when Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth got hurt in Washington and Braden Holtby entered in the league and just watching him and also Ovi was my I mean, still is my favorite player. Like, growing up watching, I always cheer for him and just watching those two watching those two together and, like, whole big kind of break in break in into the league in that season was just unbelievable. And my dad always he was a big Caps fan as well, so he loved watching Capitals. And he was just like, oh, like, look at this goalie.

Like, he that's he's a rookie. I'm just like, oh, really? Like, I don't even know what that means, but that's cool. And he's like he's just like, yeah. This is his first year in the league, and he's just standing on his head.

Like, he's unbelievable. And he, you know, he hit that stretch where, like, he was just, like, unbelievable. I could not believe he had those sick Reebok pads and he was just like his style, like, I was just like, dude, like, this guy's sick. And then obviously, Carey Price was the, in my opinion, best of them all technically. Unbelievable.

Think he has the best glove ever in the NHL. He had the sick gloves. And obviously, you see guys like Lundqvist. Really like Henrik Lundqvist, Carey Price, Braden Holtby is my favorite. And honestly, I went through phases where I was cheering for Quick in LA.

Oh, there you go. I went through phases where I was really cheering for LA in 2012 and 2014 to win the cup, so I was really a big fan of Quick, And then just him actually being a Golden Knight for a little bit and me backing up for him for a good period of time and him, like, you know, being on the bench for me for my two games was unbelievable. You know? Like, I still can't believe that actually happened just watching this guy and then go for two Stanley Cups in two year or three years, and then he's sitting behind me on the bench. You know?

It was it was a crazy, crazy thing to kind of wrap my head around. And but, yeah, those those four I'd say those four guys obviously, there's a lot of really good goals that I like to watch, but those four guys, I'd say, stand stand out for me.

Did you like, when you're watching them, it's just cheering them. You talked about the style.

I love their style. I love their I just love how Holtby was, like, so compact. Like, so kinda, like, for it was his first year in the league, and I know I understand that he was already, like he was my age, like, 24, 25, but he or maybe younger a little bit, but he was just he just looked like a complete goaltender to me. He was just like he was always square in the puck. He was always like, his pushes were so strong.

Like, I know that he overdid he was overdoing the t push a little bit, but at the same time, was just like, this guy's so quick. Like, he was always he he was always wearing a shooter. He was always ahead of the play. And just like his select like, his selection of saves was just I just I don't know why. I would thought it was just awesome to watch him.

What about playing with Quickie? Like, getting a chance? Because with us, he's pretty quietly. He doesn't say much with the media. I loved watching him play too, but I know, like, he he's passionate, he's a great teammate, and he's you know, he think he thinks the position.

Like, he'll talk goaltending when you get into it. Did you have a chance to pick his brain? Like, you're not gonna you're not gonna play the same way, but was there anything you could take from him?

I, we we did had a conversation. I think it was during the playoffs last year when we were in Dallas, and he started looking at my pads, and he's just like, man, like totally like, do you like these pads? And I'm like, yeah. Like, I and I get two sets of them or, like, three sets a year. Like, I can't say anything bad about Bauer.

Like, I love their pads. And just like, yeah, like, I just don't you know what? Like, I would wanna try them, but, like, I just don't think they would fit my style of play. You know? Like and I'm just like, well, yeah, like, it's you obviously play a little bit different than me, but I was like, I would I would love to see you try them on at least once.

They're like, you know, like, why not? And then he was just like, yeah. Haven't changed my pads since pretty much, like, I don't think he changed his pads since, like, they won the cup. Because he was like, yeah. Like, I just keep, you know, the original strap.

Like, he still has the original straps. You know, like, how we have the Velcro ones now? Like, all the golds are just the Velcro.

Yeah. He's got leather leather and buckles, and he's got them crank crank tight.

Using the leather buckle buckles, and he's he was just telling me, he's like, yeah. Like, I don't think I'll be able to go, like, I would be able to adjust to a different pad right now because, you know, I know he's even he was just like, I know that my style is not really working for me, like, this year, but, you know, like, that's the only way I can play. I'm just like, well, you what are you talking about? Like, you're making unbelievable saves. And look at him now in the Rangers, like, he's having a crazy good season.

He's still playing the same way, and he's just I I love watching Quick. Every every game that he plays, I love watching. Like, I know that he loves doing, like, his splits, but he always, like, 90% of the time, he always makes a save on that. And he's just I don't know. Like, he's been one of the guys that I grew up watching and just then again, like, sharing the locker room with him, sitting next to him in the stall, And just, again, like, those last two games I played with him to or, like, I played with him a little bit more about the two games that I played.

And him just, like, you know, we're in St Louis, and I'm going like, for my first NHL game, I'm just I am nervous as like, I'm like, like, this is happening. Right? And he just comes up to me and he's like, you know, just have fun, man. Like, have fun. No no biggie.

Just another game. Have fun. Enjoy the moment. Like, first game only happens once. Like, just make sure you enjoy the moment and, like, have fun out there.

Just another game. Have fun. Enjoy the moment. Like, first game only happens once. Like, just make sure you enjoy the moment and, like, have fun out there.

I was just like, that put me in such a great, like, mental zone. I was like, oh, man. Like, I have this hall of famer telling me just to go out there and have fun. Like, alright. Like, I'll do that.

And then, yeah, the game ended up we ended up winning four three, and it was a great game. And the Quick came up to me and after a game, and I just remember even all the guys, you know, just, like, coming up to me and being happy for me and just seeing seeing all those smiles and just, like, you know, kind of trying to realize that it's all happening. And then you have two times Stanley Cup champion, a hall of famer just hugging you there after a game, you know, just telling you you had a great game. Was just like, holy. Like, couldn't wrap my head around it.

It was unbelievable. And, also, like, Quick is Quick is such a great guy. Like and I was, you know, like, you see all these guys on the TV, and you don't know, like, how how they how they are as a as a person. And I met Quick. I'm just like, god.

Like, this guy is just an ultimate ultimate beauty just like on and off the ice. You know? Just some great, great person.

I love it. Is it great when your heroes turn out to be everything you hoped they would be. Right?

Yeah. Exactly. Like, you know, like, it's different. Like, soccer, you see all these soccer players just, how good they are, and then they act like kids. Like, they act like they don't do anything for the fans.

They don't care. You know? And this guy would just, like, stop Stop. Just, you know, fist bump everyone even after a loss. And that's what my dad always taught me.

He's just like, if you wanna if you wanna be a good sport and, like, you're entertaining people, you always have to fist bump fist bump the fans no matter you win or lose. So, obviously, sometimes it's you lose in a certain way when you're really not happy with it, but I feel like the fans should always should always, you know, like, deserve a little love. You know? Like, they're there to cheer for you and support you. And if you if you just give them it's just, you know, it's just a little fist bump.

And, like, they just showed me that what a great guy, like, Quick he was. So

That's awesome. Hey. Listen. Last one I got because I know I gotta let you go because of the guy that I'm about to ask you about. You've been working with Pete for a while now.

How's he helped you with mindset, and how's that important to you this year as you're bouncing up and down between the two leagues?

It's it's been really important, especially, you know, when when even if you don't have a great game, you have an off game where you have an off practice, I like to chat with him even if I have like an off practice or, you know, he always he's always in a great mood, always positive, which almost makes me try to be like that, you know, and just, you know, just it's the simple things like you're working to not look at the shot clock, not look at the score the whole time, the whole game pretty much, just being in your focus, mental zone. And just again, like, I went through a stretch last year when I was really not happy with what was going on with my playing time. I didn't really play much because of a whole LB, Laurent Broissot situation that it'd be when he got sundown. So I wasn't really happy. So I kinda wish I would have had him last year because I was really going through a tough time.

And now looking back at it, you know, it's it's just like, why would you why would you worry about something when you can't what you can't control? And then at the same time, why why can't you have a smile on your face when you're even when you're not doing good? That was that was a thing that really, like and when the last game I played in Nashville, I didn't I had a great two pitch or I'd say fifty two minutes on the game. And, you know, last eight minutes, don't go as you as you want, ended up losing in overtime. And I was just like, yeah.

Like, obviously, the confidence wasn't wasn't there yet. I'd say the confidence wasn't there yet in the last little bit of the, like, five minutes of the game or whatever because, obviously, you know, the team's humming right now, and you haven't you you just got scored on three goals and, like, whatever, nine shots or whatever. But he was just like, yeah. Like, that's just the that's the best time to start smiling and just, you know, why would you why would you be upset? Why would you get why would you get mad?

Just smile and, you know, just show that nothing can nothing can affect you. Like, so what? You just got scored on three goals. So what? Like, the game's still on.

You can still put on a great performance. And then, yeah, just like doing these even though day to day, just like those daily things where I'm just trying to when I'm trying to be positive in hard situations when it's when, you know, sometimes you go through adversity and it's really hard to be positive. So that really helps when you when you have someone like this that can always even if you're fading into the frustration a little bit, they can always bring you into the positivity, helps you, and, like, tries to master it for yourself too so you can so you can control where you're you know, not to get frustrated, not to get upset when you're not playing or when the things are not going your way. You always just have to look forward and always just have to, in my opinion, just, like, always try to stay positive. So that he's been a great a big part of my success this year.

And, again, if there's I don't I I can't think of a more positive guy than Pete. So he's been the more he's been the greatest he's been the greatest asset I added this season, so I'm really happy for him.

Last one on him. Like, he talks about manufacturing confidence.

A lot of us are like, oh, how do

we get confidence? Have you felt that when you talk about being positive? Is that part of what you mean? Like, being able to create your own confidence? Is it a real thing?

You know? It doesn't come it doesn't have to come from making saves. You can manifest it.

Exactly. Yeah. He manifested, and that's why he, you know, he has his website where he can just go on there and you have you can use the confidence anchoring where you can just, you know, you have your every goalie has her own specific movement that they do that kind of like gives you all the all the all the confidence back or, you know, kick kick it up a little bit. And that actually that helped me a lot, especially, you know, bounce back. Like, bounce back, I think, is huge for the goalies.

Right? Like, especially if you, let's say, of the game. Like, I had I think I had a lot of games this year where I, like, don't make two saves at the start of the game, let's say, ten minutes, and not ended up getting scored for the rest of the game, you know, like, making all the saves after. So the bounce back, I think, has been the biggest biggest improvement for myself this season because in previous years when I would get scored on two in a row two goals, like, quick, I would just be like, oh, damn. Like, what do I do now?

Like, I need to, like, change something real quick instead of just, alright. Let's reset. Just whistle goes, and here we go again. Focus on the next pop. And just reading the play again and just sometimes, you know, when you're not when you're not doing well or when you're getting scored on or things are not going your way, you try to change something when maybe something you think maybe something's not working, but maybe it's just something just a very minor instead of making like a big adjustment.

You can just, you know, that's why I love talking to Pete. That's why I'm glad that Freddie Brathwaite is the way he is. Again, like a great coach, even better person. So I'm really happy for those guys that I have them, you know, in my career, in my life, and then that I can chat with them about anything pretty much. You know?

Like, if I don't like something, I can tell them that. If I'm happy with something, I can also tell them that, and I know that, you know, they're they're gonna help me out. So

I love it. I love it. Confidence anchors. It's good to hear. It's good to hear that it's working at the highest levels of the game too.

Yuri, thank you. I don't wanna keep you away from it, but I can't thank you enough for your time today. Really enjoyed this conversation. Can't wait to have more of them down road when you're back up here in Vancouver with the Knights.

Awesome. Thank you, Kevin. Appreciate it.

Outro

K. There's there's multiple places to to respond to there. His relationship with Johnathan Quick and just the fact that Johnathan the Quick was giving him a hug after his his first win and and backing him up is a, like, a fanboy type moment that we all would admit happens, but we don't usually hear from from the athletes themselves. But his dad's role in this, when he found out that he was gonna be a goaltender, take him to the backyard and shooting pucks at his head, and and Jiri realizing it's he's doing it on purpose. I gotta I gotta toughen this out.

But there's another story that Jiri told me because I'm I obviously work with with Vegas, and Jiri and I have had a chance to have some cool conversations, been on the ace together at times. But they played in a summer tournament, like a men's league tournament one one year. And Jiri was 16 or 17, and it was all of his dad's friends. And Jiri let in a couple of pucks and his dad was giving it to him. And and all of his dad's friends were coming by going, it's okay.

It's okay. It's alright. But his dad was the one that would that was giving it to him. And just the the the cool they have a great relationship. But dad dad's a hockey player and and one of the but but best for his his kid, he's he's been around and maybe playing goal wasn't the most peaceful way to to enjoy the our our sport.

But I thought that was funny too that all of his dad's friends were picking them up and then dad was giving it to him. So what what was your favorite part, Woody?

For me, it was the mask painting. Yeah. I mean, I'd heard about it at the Winter Classic. Obviously, he was up with Vegas for the Winter Classic, and I was there down in Seattle with I saw you, Daren, which was the highlight of my season so far, by the way. But the second highlight was Jiri talking about, hey.

Like, his because he couldn't get a winter classic mask cause his dad paints all his masks and the turnout the turnaround was too tight because he wasn't originally supposed to be on the roster. And I was just like, what what do you mean your dad paints your mask? So I I thought that was a really, really neat story. And, again, just speaks to that joy and that that sorta just there's just appearance to it that that put a giant smile on my face.

We see goaltenders with initials of their family all the time or tributes to their family all the time, but to have your dad paint your mask, That tells me that Hutch should start doing some YouTube research on painting little Maddie's mask.

Stick figures, baby. Start simple.

There's no chance I'm doing it now, but I've already done it. One of the great memories for me, I was telling Matthew back before people I don't know if anybody has really painted the old, helmet and cage combo except Hasek and his wasn't technically a helmet. It was custom made. It looked like a helmet. I came back from school one day and my father had taken my helmet and completely done it up with custom cut stickers and so on.

He is not an artist, it's just something he decided to do and it was before it was done by anybody and it was a cool, cool memory for me. So I did the same thing for Matthew one time and he still has that mask sitting on his shelf and it will remain in his collection forever. He was telling me just the other night after listening to Jiri Patera.

That's cool. Love it. That's awesome. Can we can we borrow that for your shelf with your new background at some point?

Oh, see it. We Maybe. Maybe. I'll see. Maybe it'll make an appearance next week.

I like those pads over here.

Put put it put put it on and start shooting at his head.

Can we do that at TendyFest?

I also have pictures of Matthew in the backyard wearing nothing but a helmet and gloves and his junior a billet brother firing pucks at him. And he was about 10 years old at the time. Of course, I let it happen.

Oh, you were there and you let it happen?

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Quality parenting there.

Yeah. I've made a number of questionable decisions as we all have.

That's I'm glad you're mentioning it now because the statute of limitations have probably expired on that.

Only the still loves the position,

so it couldn't be all that bad. Good point. Hey. It's

Daren Daren was thinking more of the call to child services that was coming.

It might have been. Might have been. But you're okay. It's fine. He's not he's not gonna testify against you.

Loves you. Great pawn. We gotta fly. I I'd love to go on about this, but we we gotta fly. Hey.

We're on the the verge of the Stanley Cup playoffs, really kicking into high gear as we get the first couple of games out of the way and not out of the way, but really get our teeth into these first games in the opening cities. And looking forward to Vancouver hosting a game for the first time since 2015 in a series.

Nine years, baby. Nine years without playoffs for me in this in this town. I've covered them for others other teams in other cities, but nine years. I'm looking forward to see the the original towel power here in Vancouver. We literally, the only franchise in the National Hockey League that has a statue in front of their building of a guy waving a white towel of surrender, of course, Roger Nielsen.

But it's pretty not just a guy.

Pretty cool tradition nonetheless.

And two great coaches. You're gonna have a fun series there with Andrew Brunette and Rick Tocchet. Looking forward to it to that. Enjoy, Hutch. Enjoy, Woody, and you at home.

Thank you for listening. Appreciate your support, and come back next week for more on our journey of goaltending on InGoal Radio, the podcast.