In our Parents Segment, presented by the Stop It Goaltending U app, we talk about a great off ice training tool that will make you a better goaltender – and just might prevent the odd head shot.

Summary

First off, I want to thank everyone who reached out via [email protected] after I shared my experience as a goalie parent when our son was traded recently. The concern and support from the InGoal community for us as a family—and Matty in particular—was heartwarming. Let me assure you that he’s doing great. He’s loving the incredible hockey culture in Saskatchewan, where he’s found a fantastic team, supportive coaches, and a billet family that already feels like home. In fact on his day off this week he achieved a lifelong dream and spent two hours in minus 21 weather on the back yard rink. We couldn’t be happier for him.

Now, this week’s topic.

I’m working on a new segment tentatively titled “Top 5 Annoyances for Goalie Parents”—you know, things like referees not blowing the whistle fast enough or threatening young goalies with penalties for covering the puck at the “wrong” time.
If you’ve got ideas, send them my way for next week’s episode!

One annoyance that I’m sure will make the list: headshots. We all hate them, but you know me looking for the bright side – I figure they also present a teaching opportunity.

It reminded me of something we’ve seen NY Rangers AHL goalie Dylan Garand do. He used to finish every warmup by asking shooters to fire pucks directly at his head. You may have seen the article we shared at InGoal about this unique warm up.

Every time we are on the ice with Dylan and he finishes warm up pointing at his own head directing the next shots. It’s hilarious watching new shooters look around in confusion, wondering if he’s serious. Spoiler alert: he absolutely is and he wants them to rip it.

Now like many parents, we invested in the best helmet we could afford when Matty started taking those high shots. That said, often when he got hit in the head, I’d joke, “Why didn’t you just catch it?”

Of course, only if he wasn’t hurt!

So, how can young goalies learn the skill to make that catch – after all it’s a different movement?
The answer: learn to catch with a baseball glove.

Baseball players are incredible athletes, and their catching skills translate directly to the ice. They don’t start in a goalie stance and line up to catch to their side—they square up, focus on the ball, and bring it into the middle of their body. Woody this is your area of expertise but playing catch plenty of balls come right at your head, no?
Playing catch with a ball glove of course is not about stopping headshots and I don;t think you can stop it from happening with good hands – but being able to catch IS about being an athlete who can control the play on the ice – but yes in the end, it might save you from taking a few headshots!

In our podcast with LA Kings Director of Goaltending Bill Ranford, he highlighted how important it is for kids to develop their catching skills. He noted that even pro goalies sometimes arrive weak in this area. At LA’s development camps, he has trained goalies with ball gloves to build those fundamentals. If it’s good enough for the Kings, it’s good enough for us.
So, don’t just have your goalie bouncing a ball off the wall by themselves. Grab a pair of gloves, head outside, and play catch with them. Not only will you help them become a better goalie, but you’ll also be spending quality time together and having fun.

On so many hockey road trips over the years we’ve brought ball gloves with us. It’s a fun way to pass the time and when life throws you ahem “a curve ball” like having to wait for hours for the next available ferry home – your kid learns to take it in stride and rather than being frustrated they enjoy the time hanging out and playing catch.

That’s all for this week. Don’t forget to send in your top annoyances as a goalie parents for next week’s segment. I can’t wait to hear your stories.

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