There’s something magical about Christmas time for goalies. Right up to the biggest NHL stars, it’s hard to find a goalie who doesn’t have a fond memory of finding a special piece of equipment under the tree. Whether it was a new stick, a custom mask or full set of pads and gloves, for some that special present either inspired or cemented a love for the position. For others it signified a step up to getting more serious about it, but every goalie has a story, and we’ve shared tons of them over the years.
But with time fast running out before stockings are stuffed and presents are wrapped this Christmas, InGoal Magazine wanted to help make this year memorable by sharing some of our favorite items from the past year. Not only are they sure to brighten the big day for the goalie in your life, but most of them are available almost instantly – so it’s not too late!
In no particular order here are items that every goalie might enjoy:
GIFT OF GOALTENDING
We used to play modest and put ourselves at the bottom of the list as “last but certainly not least” but we’re going a bit bolder now because seriously, we think a gift subscription to InGoal Premium is the perfect gift for all goalies, and because it’s delivered digitally, you can buy to the last minute.
Seriously, though, what could be better than a full year of access to tips, drills and advice from top NHL goalies and coaches? How about five years for the price of one?
That’s right, buy a one-year gift subscription to InGoal Premium and you not only get access for the upcoming year, but you also get access to our entire archive of four years of premium content, featuring more than 260 Pro-Reads with 38 NHL goalies doing video review sessions to help young goalies learn to read the game better, plus more than 600 other articles including Pro Tips and Pro Drills from top goalies and coaches like Thatcher Demko, Connor Hellebuyck, Dustin Wolf, Joseph Woll, Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord, Devon Levi, Kristen Campbell Bill Ranford, Ian Clark, Bob Essensa and so many more.
You can order a gift subscription to start anytime, including Christmas morning, and we have gift certificates that can be downloaded with images of their favorite goalie to make sure you have something to put in their stocking or under the tree with this gift.
And if you love listening to our feature interviews on the InGoal Radio Podcast you can now subscribe to our premium podcast channel to listen to archived interviews on their own. There are more than 280 there already with new interviews added each week. You can even gift a gift subscription to our premium podcast channel. With the ads and chit chat from each week’s show removed, you can focus on the main feature of each show as you binge listen to the best goalies and coaches in the world talk about — and share advice on playing — this great position.
NEW REALITY FOR GOALIE TRAINING
We’ve been banging the drum for NHL Sense Arena for years, but you don’t have to just take our word on the value of position-specific virtual reality training. InGoal Radio Podcast guest like Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken, Devon Levi of the Buffalo Sabres and Devin Cooley of the Calgary Flames have all raved about using NHL Sense Arena.
Daccord uses it to get ready for games, and even used it between periods last season.
“I didn’t feel like I was super dialed with my glove,” Daccord told InGoal. “So, I turned it on, lined it up to do high glove, middle glove, low glove and just caught a bunch of pucks in the intermission, and then I went back out and my glove felt better.”
Daccord’s VR routines, which include cognitive drills and facing both computer-generated shooters and actual NHL shooters are included in NHL Sense Arena for all goalies to try, all part of a never-ending evolution and improvements that include everything from more interactive competitions and rewards systems, and the ability to go into the locker rooms of NHL teams, play in famous NHL Outdoor Game venues, and play a 32-game season with a variety of in-game scenarios against other NHL teams in the 2025 NHL season mode.
Whether it’s playing NHL style games or getting ready for NHL games, NHL Sense Arena is a legit training tool that helps users achieve measurable improvements back on the ice.
“I use it to takes shots, see pucks and just get warm,” Levi said. “I use it on off days if I want to get on the ice but there is no ice. I’ve also used it when I was injured and not able to get into the gear. I still have the opportunity to go see pucks, go read releases.”
Even better, NHL Sense Arena has a pre-Christmas sale for 50% off when you purchase an annual subscription, and it includes sleeves so you can use your glove and blocker. It’s ideal for anyone who already has a VR headset but if not, you can add one to your purchase. Remember to use the code IGM50 at checkout to save even more!
NOTHING BEATS NEW GEAR
The connection between goalies, their gear and Christmas was documented in the story linked at the top of this article, and there is no better place to find the equipment your goalie needs (or just wants) than at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports. Cam and his crew in the goalie department are as passionate about the position as we are here at InGoal, they all play and have decades of combined experience helping make sure that goalies of all ages, sizes and abilities get the right equipment to suit their skill and style.
Of course, it’s getting a little tight for any custom orders or shipping in time for Christmas morning, so may we suggest a gift card that will allow the goalie in your life to do their own shopping. Goalie gear can be deeply personal, after all, and if you stuff their stocking with one of these gift cards, it ensures they can stuff their goalie bag with things they want.
If you do want to find something to wrap under the tree, we’d recommend checking out our YouTube page featuring hundreds of equipment reviews from The Hockey Shop.
SEE IT BETTER, STOP IT MORE OFTEN
The importance of good visuals has never been a secret in the world of goaltending. As Stanley Cup- and Vezina Trophy-winning once told us at InGoal Magazine, “your biggest muscle as a goalie is your eyes. … If you’re not seeing it, nothing else matters.”
If the eyes are our most important muscle, training them is also obviously important, and Vizual Edge offers a data-driven, web-based training program to improve the fundamental vision skills essential to sports vision performance that is customized to each individual goalie based on their unique combination of visual strengths and weaknesses.
Vizual Edge has already been used by over 50 NHL and AHL goalies, including Joseph Woll of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings, who tied his later career rise to NHL All Star to when he started using Vizual Edge in 2021.
“It has helped my game immensely. Tracking the puck and reading the rush are staples for every goalie and this platform helps me to enhance both of these skills on a weekly basis,” Talbot said. “I love that I can bring it anywhere with me and it only takes 15 minutes a day, three times a week. … I will definitely continue to use Vizual Edge until my career is over.”
Goalies get started with Vizual Edge by taking an Edge Test to establish baseline scores in the key visual elements of convergence, divergence, depth perception, alignment, two types of tracking, recognition, contrast sensitivity and contrast tracking. From there, your program is tailored based on strengths and weaknesses to provide My Plan, which is designed to be done three times a week for 15 minutes and evolves as you improve.
Check out the Vizual Edge website to learn more and remember that InGoal Premium Members save 30 percent but even non-members save 15% using the code INGOAL.
STOP IT U the APP HELPS YOU STOP MORE
Our friends at Stop-It Goaltending have combined their 25 years of coaching experience with goalies right up to the NHL and put it all at your fingertips with an App that lets you digest all that knowledge — through small or large doses — in just 30 minutes a week.
Whether you are a goalie, parent or coach, Stop-It U the App has materials to help grow your knowledge of the position, whether it’s through a Basic Membership ($9.99 per month) that includes Daily Primer videos with quick-hit mindset advice, drill video breakdowns, play-reading explanations and playbooks for top NHL goalies; or a Premium Membership ($19.95 per month) with phone consultations, personal game reports and video reviews, and weekly workshops with Stop-It coaches, there’s something for every level.
Of course, every Stop-Goaltending U the App subscription also comes with an InGoal Premium Membership, giving you complete access to the two most in-depth online goaltending development tools and resources on the planet.
CUSTOM MASKS (AND PADS) FOR LESS
Getting a custom-painted goalie mask is on the Christmas wish list of a lot of goalies every year, but that takes time to organize and the reality is not everyone needs or can afford high-end custom paint. The good news is there are reasonably priced alternatives.
Custom Cages is a Vancouver-based company that has quietly built up a strong reputation for delivering great custom goalie mask designs for less. You can choose from their assortment of stock vinyl decal kits for as low as $33, or create your own custom look by adding a team logo or other graphics to a range of template base options for just $60.
They’ve also added pad and glove templates and custom order options, allowing goalies to add logos and numbers, or create complete custom designs to their gear. Check out their website for the full range of designs, which include over 100 different options, or get to work designing your own, like the one above for Vancouver Canucks goalie coach Ian Clark.
GIFT OF MENTAL STRENGTH
InGoal Members are already familiar with Pete Fry, the Goalie Mindset Guy, who works with goaltenders from minor hockey right up to pro, including current NHL clients like Cayden Primeau of the Montreal Canadiens and Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues, as well as NHL drafted goalies like Carter George of the Los Anegeles Kings and Carson Bjarnason of the Philadelphia Flyers, who are both set to represent Canada at the upcoming World Juniors.
Pete has several fantastic programs for goaltenders, including the Goalie Mindset Academy which includes daily activities online to build your mental skills combined with regular Zoom meetings with other goaltenders and a certified coach. From one-day seminars (including one in January on bouncing back), to audio only, month-long and even annual programs, many of these are available online and instantly, making them a perfect last-minute gift to give your goalie the power of better mental strength on and off the ice.
Pete has also nine books available that can help goalies and goalie parents alike and would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Check out all of Pete’s options on his website.
BETTER HEALTH — AND PERFORMANCE — IN THE CREASE
When it comes to training our body for the unique demands of this position, few have helped as many goalies as Maria Mountain through her Goalie Training Pro programs.
A strength coach and exercise physiologist, Maria has specialized in off-ice goalie training since 2002, travelling all over throughout North America and Europe helping goalies of all levels and abilities right up to the NHL reach their full potential by applying her “inside out” approach to athlete development. Best of all, no matter how many elite-level goalies she works with internationally, Maria has always remained an open book, willing to share her knowledge and her programs with goalies of all ages and skill levels.
Where to start? We have lost count of the number of goalies we have steered towards her free 14-day Butterfly Challenge App and it still helps us stay healthy in the crease.
Maria also offers her Game Winning Goalie Formula with personalized coaching, Turning Pro Coaching and Camp (it’s currently full but you can get on the waitlist), the NextGen Goalie Academy specifically goalies age 10 to 13, and in- and off-season training programs for either Beer League or Varsity level athletes looking to improve.
Check them all out on her Goalie Training Pro website.