InGoal Radio Episode 306 with Seattle Kraken prospect Victor Östman

Intro

Alright. Here we go.

In three, two, one. Not waiting for Hutch to cut me off.

By the way, Daren, I was just thinking this week.

Attaboy. There's Hutch. I hope he includes that, little add in. I was just thinking this week as we introduce you to InGoal Radio, the podcast. This is episode 4,222.

We're happy to be here with you, David Hutchison, Kevin Woodley, and Daren Millard. It only feels like 4,000 because we've had so much fun over the years. Fun can mean a lot too. Right? Not just you've been suffering.

It feels like forever. We've we've had a lot of enjoyment over the years on this podcast.

I I think today might feel like a suffering day for Hutch, though, because he was up at 4AM to get on the ferry, and he's had to put up with me since about 07:30AM. And we've been filming at the Hockey Shop for the last two and a half, three hours. So he's had a lot of me, and as most of our listeners can attest, there's only so much Woody that can be tolerated. I'm testing the limits of Hutch's patience today.

Nothing I'd rather be doing. It's my favorite time of the month is coming over to The Hockey Shop and hanging out with Woody.

That was not said with enthusiasm. I I can I can understand the Hockey Shop not being exciting?

Should I try that again?

Yeah. You you should try the Woody at least at least give us some enthusiasm in the Woody part.

I am so excited to be hanging out with my buddy Woody. It is the best time of every month, hopping on the ferry, coming over to Vancouver, coming to the Hockey Shop, hanging out with Woody for an entire day. We're not even close to done. It's about 11:00 in the morning, and probably gonna be hanging out until five, 06:00 tonight, filming more content for everybody, making plans for what's new for InGoal. This is awesome.

You guys were together, at the Hockey Shop today. Take us behind the curtain on, oh, what you did today and how that impacts what we'll be doing in the next few weeks on the podcast.

Well, forget behind the curtain. We can take you behind the warehouse. We're in an office at the back of it right now where there's a photo studio set up, which is where we film a lot of the shorts that you've been seeing across our various social media channels. As much as everybody loves we think everybody loves, we get lots of good feedback on our deep dives into the gear. We're trying to bring them to social media in smaller, more manageable chunks.

So, like, today, we did our full fourteen minute, and this will be our gear segment from The Hockey Shop Source for Sports this week, EFlex 7 deep dive review. And we'll have that for you coming up in a few minutes here in our gear segment, but you've already seen some of the teases we filmed behind the scenes on the cross glide technology, the new sliding surface, the new glove brakes. I'm giving too much of this week's away, but that's sort of how it works. We start in the front. We film the gear segments, and then we come into the backroom behind, like, 20,000 square feet of warehouse pads and gloves stacked from the floor to the ceiling.

Looks like about a 20 or 30 foot it's at least a 30 foot ceiling, Daren. I'm looking up at, like, one, two, three, four. I'm, like, counting on the radio. Seven different shelving levels of goalie equipment. We come back here, we film some of the smaller segments.

So it's a long day. It's a productive day. It's a fun day despite the, intonation in Hutch's voice, but it is a long day.

It's good.

I thought I was serious. It is a fun day.

You didn't have a lot of jump in the serious passionate delivery.

Up since 4AM, and he had to walk on the ferry. Don't blame him.

He had to walk on the ferry? Why couldn't he just sit down?

Because I was that excited, Daren. I was just pacing around. I get to see Woody soon. I get to see Woody soon.

Oh, weird. My friend, you should be over here with Cam with a dad joke like that.

I would love it. I gotta get I gotta get up there and see you guys again. We got the Stanley Cup final.

Next weekend. Come on, Daren.

Let's go. Let's go. Let's Let's rock and roll. Get into in just a second because I've got this in my mind with the Stanley Cup final, and it was put to me, who needs this win more? And Stuart Skinner needs the championship because he doesn't have one. So, then I thought, let's change it.

What would a win do to the respective, legacies of the goaltenders? Stuart Skinner would show that he's battled through, some real challenges over the years and eventually was rewarding the Edmonton Oilers management, for their dedication by winning a Stanley Cup. For Sergei Bobrovski, I mean, we've got two Vezina's and potentially two cups. What does that do for him in the history of of goaltending? Where would where would it change his his slot?

Can we just pause for one second? I wanna go back to Skinner for one sec. Because I think people forget this isn't just a chance to win a cup. It's for the team he grew up watching and cheering. It is a hometown cup opportunity for him.

And I don't know whether that changes legacy or not. I don't know how it affects pressure. But talking to Pete Fry recently, because that's who he started working with mindset when he was in junior on the goalie mindset stuff, he shared a text message with me, which was a visualization of Stuart envisioning himself leading his hometown Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup. So I think this means even more for him, at least personally. And I don't know if it's a it's a legacy, but from a story standpoint and in the media, we don't cheer for people.

We or for teams. We cheer for good people and good stories. It's a hell of a story.

But Bobrovsky then, does he enter the the league of Mount Rushmore of goaltenders with the two Vezina's and then the longevity of it? Because the first Vezina was won 2012. And does that put him with a second cup included with the ranks of the and the or if you go back, the the the Jacques Plante, Dominic Hasek, Hutch.

I think it's tough to put him up on Mount Rushmore just yet if this should happen. There are only being four faces that get to go on Mount Rushmore, and it would take a lot to unseat some of those people. I think it's definitely inching a little bit closer. Maybe he's in the lineup to try and displace somebody, as the time comes. I love your point, Daren, about the spacing of time between the Vezinas.

I love how much he remade himself in between those times or at least between coming into the league and winning his first Vezina. Without having done a deep dive into how many cups and how many Vezinas others have won, it's difficult to comment on that. But if I'm thinking about a Hasek, a Roy, a Brodeur, and for me, for sure, Jacques Plante belongs up there, it's difficult to displace those guys.

So say that again. Who's in who's in your Mount Rushmore and Hutch, the four four men?

Without having done a deep dive, because you just threw this one at me a minute ago, Hasek has to be there. Brodeur, Patrick Roy, and Jacques Plante. I've got a soft spot for Glenn Hall with all those games in a row played without a mask on. But, but, yeah, those would be my four guys right now.

Woody, who's in your Mount Rushmore?

Well, Ken Dryden's tattooed on my arm, so I better include him. Kinda permanent.

Mhmm.

And I'm I think, honestly, if it's open air, it's a much tougher discussion because, I mean, think of what Plante did for goaltending, not just the success, but the mass. Right? Like, kind of important now. When we think of modern day, the three are Brodeur, Roy, and Hasek's on my Goat list. So if we're just doing modern, is two cups and two Vezinas enough for Bob to be etched in as the fourth of the modern era?

Is Connor Hellebuyck, who's about to win his third and possibly a Hart trophy, get consideration, or does the lack of playoff success prevent that? Do we get into conversation about Olympics? Carey Price didn't get a Stanley Cup. He got to the final. His career was cut short by injury, but he's got an Olympic gold medal.

Best on best Olympic gold medal. World junior gold as well and a heck of a career. So overall, I got biases that lead me towards Dryden and then the three modern guys who I watched because I didn't watch Plante or Hall growing up. Didn't watch Dryden either. It's just, like I said, kinda hard to ignore the tattoo as much as my wife would like to. But in terms of if we were just making modern era, Bob's got an argument if he wins the second cup. He's already a first ballot slam dunk hall of famer with the Vezina trophies in the one cup. And look at his career is not over. Look at what he's doing and how much he's playing at the age 36. By the time he's done, we might be having a conversation about amongst the all time greats in terms of wins and games played as well.

So you've got Dryden in and Hasek. You've got Bob in or not?

It's kinda no. I'm sorry. I can't put him ahead of Brodeur or Roy. K. Because they have more cups Yeah.

And more Vezinas.

K. That that that's fair. You're the same with with Roy, Brodeur, and Hasek. Hutch takes Plante, and Woody goes with Ken Dryden.

Pretty hard to ignore seven Vezina trophies and a Hart trophy with Plante.

Yeah. Vezina was different too. The match. Vezina was different. Like, it was It was.

It was.

Goes against average instead of, best goaltender. I will I will agree with you guys on Roy, Brodeur, and Hasek, but I will go with Grant Fuhr on my Mount Rushmore.

Deserving mention.

Of all the cups and individual honors as well and Canada Cups when there was an Olympics.

But you got you got you got a Ken Dryden mask behind you on your your art that frames these discussions we we have every with you, Daren. Is there hidden out of frame? Is there a Grant Fuhr there too?

No. But I gotta get one. And and I'm not sure whether I would get the cage combo mask of Grant Fuhr or his great old fiberglass mask from the Edmonton Oilers with Fuhr? What what should I put up on that wall?

I think fiberglass to match the rest of your wall.

Fiberglass a 100%.

And in in the meantime, I think you probably should throw John Garrett on your on your Mount Rushmore because his mask over your right shoulder is pretty sick too.

It is. It is. I mean,

he he wants right at equal levels there.

The Bernie Parent one always gets glossed over, but I love those three logos on it. It's so simple. But Wayne Stephenson, up there is a bit good. And and Goalie Bob. Bob

Bernie's a guy that Bernie's a guy that deserves some consideration too. You're right.

Absolutely.

Back to back. So what you're saying here is we're so decisive. We need to build a second mount.

I don't We're on Rushmore's. We gotta get, there's gotta be another side of the mountain to that. Right?

100%. There has to be two sides to the mountain.

I think we just came up with a slogan. We gotta fine tune it a little bit, but something to do with two sides of the mountain. Work with me, Hutch. Like, they get the brain going a little bit.

Do the do the older guys go on the other side of the mountain because they're over the hill? Yeah.

I think I think that it's oh, that's see? There we go. Well done. People are just getting it right now along with me. That was that was good.

We've got TendyFest coming up. Let's, let's give everybody an idea of what's right in front of us in the Lower Mainland at the Hockey Shop.

June 14, the greatest demo day there is for goaltenders. We've had the Hyperlite. We've had the SV Pro. Today, we're gonna talk about EFlex 7. Next week, we're gonna talk about EFlex 7.9, which, by the way, is the best second price point product CCM has ever produced.

You can go on the ice and try all of it as well as the latest from Warrior, Brian, Vaughn, all the major manufacturers. You've heard us talk about the features. Take it out on the ice. Try it for yourself. That's what TendiFest is all about.

It's the original gathering of goalies. It's what started it all. Often imitated, never duplicated. TendyFest is June 14. Make sure you check out The Hockey Shop at all their social media outlets for details on how to register, what to bring, and how to make sure you get on the ice with all the gear you wanna try.

It's not at the at the store, though. Right?

No. It's at Fleetwood Arena. But, again, all the details in terms of timing on June 14 will all be available on their social media and on their website.

K. One more question. Do you have to buy a ticket, or do you have to register to get into TendyFest? Because as it's grown, it's it there's a a a lot more demand. And I know there's a VIP or an opportunity to to get involved in the early part of the day.

I that might be sold out, but

I think they've already filled their VIP circle, Daren. Although I was told the special slot has been set aside for you. If you come, you you will instantly be a VIP. Me and Hutch have to come in with the riffraff, but you're allowed in as a VIP, something something about being special, NHL shooter, something like that, having a cup. I don't know.

You get a Mount Rushmore of your own. So you're allowed in the VIP. It is close to everyone else because they've they've run that contest already. I do I'm actually not sure if you can preregister for time slots ahead of the event, but I do know when you get there, you can sort of set your whole day up to make sure you get out there and know what times. Make sure you check out their socials to sort of figure out what to bring as well because you can't show up in street clothes and expect to go on the ice.

I think mask, you need to bring your own skates. You need to bring your own. There may be pants and chesties you can try, but you gotta bring your own for those for the most part. Just make sure you check it out. They have all the details there.

I don't wanna misspeak on anything and have everyone. We have people drive we've had people come from Calgary. We've had people drive from Seattle up to be a part of this. It's a big deal. Make sure you check out all the details so you don't miss out and you get the best out of an amazing day.

And we'll be there. You can come say hi to Hutch. He'll be in a better mood than he is today because he'll have had more sleep.

Like, he's not denying that he's in a crabby mood.

Just tossed me double birds.

Know. Denied it a 100 times. I'm in a great mood. I'm just tired.

There's so many birds flying around there. It was a flock in that storage room that you guys are are in right now.

Enough. I'm gonna go hide in the corner and cry you too.

Gear

Gear Segment brought to you by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley, thehockeyshop.com. Looking forward to Tendy Fest, but, let's get into why you guys are there today and our gear segment.

Worthy here to talk about the EFlex 7 line. We've teased quite a bit of the new features on our own social channels, and now we've got the full deep dive. So without further ado, let's go to Cam. This one's a bit of a long one, but a reminder, folks, if you want the visuals to go along with it, check out our YouTube channel because the full production and video is available there as well. For all the insights on what makes EFlex 7 special and a departure, let's go to Cam. What does CGT stand for on the new CCM eFlex seven pad? What's new in the glove break? What's stock?

What does CGT stand for on the new CCM eFlex seven pad? What's new in the glove break? What's stock?

What's changed? Why is it the biggest improvement in a CCM glove in years? We've got answers to all those questions as we break down the new CCM EFlex 7 equipment here at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Goal Utopia with Cam Matwiv. Cam, there's a lot of changes in this new EFlex 7 line, a lot of improvements. Yes.

Where do you wanna start?

Well, with the pad. That makes it the easiest. Right? Okay. Well, first of all, look wise, this just gives that appearance of almost an EFlex four, doesn't it? Just to a bit of a degree.

Just in the way the graphics laid out and whatnot. And now this isn't a bad thing, folks. I mean, eFlex four was by far CCM's most popular pad ever to date, except I think this might dethrone that a little bit.

Yeah. From a performance and feature standpoint, gotta be honest with you. I've had a few of these and done the customizer for us, that's the first time I've thought of that, but, know, I'll I'll go with it. It is however EFlex 7 and there are a lot of new features on the pad itself. Start

there. 100%. So let's start by looking at the face of the pad. So we still do have, again, that classic traditional shape look, but functionality standpoint wise, these are completely flat. So these are just more of, like, I would even consider, like, an indent inside of the head.

Aesthetic. 100% aesthetic. So in terms of being as a rebound quality, you're still gonna get more of that true or fat or flat face kind of, like, rebound. Consistency. Exactly.

More consistent rebound with the aesthetics of a knee roll. Let's be honest, a knee roll is largely sort of aesthetic. Well, it's symbolic though of a pad that is I like that. Softer. Yes. More form fitting to the leg. Yes. Flexible and that's what the e flex is. Classic,

almost starting to be vintage look. Right. Yeah. So keep going. Okay.

Back. So moving over to the back of the pad. This is where we start to really start to see some of those differences. Starting even with the thigh rise to. Tapered up at that top, almost even giving you that little bit of a wedge shape.

When you bring those pads together, that really helps to lock that in and get that nice seal between the two. And if

you have an overlap, it's less likely to get caught on each other. One will go in front of the other.

Exactly. Now a couple of durability features really to call out before we flip over to the back of the pad. CCM has realized there's been some corner and edge rubbing. They've added some more high wear material to that corner as well to help prevent some of that edge rubbing that has happened in the past from that extreme kind of crossover of those pads. So good added durability feature.

Let's hold that over to the back and look at the back. Cam. Cam. Cam. Cam.

I don't

think we should go to the back first. I think we should go to the inside. You already wanna talk about Cross Glide Technology CGT. I'm gonna give it away early because it's one the biggest features. Well, give it away.

Speedskin's gone. Now tell me Broken is gone. Better.

Because it is way better. It's completely smooth. This is something that I've tried out. He's tried out. 100% notice the difference on ice through all ice conditions. That's the biggest thing. Yes.

Now Speedskin was great on fresh ice. Exactly. Ice broke down, which NHLers don't have to worry about, but us Joe blows do. As the ice broke down, it got a little stickier. This, with their testing, slid better on fresh ice, slid better on worn down, sort of end of that period ice, or for those of us in beer league, end of the game because we don't get a lot of Zamboni's out there.

It it feels like it's harder.

Yes. The actual surface itself has been, added stiffness to it that provides more rigidity to that slide surface. A, that's helping with your stability and b, that's giving

you more stable service to push off of. So what does CGT stand for? Cross glide technology. We've seen their testing on it. It's a significantly better sliding service than previous generations.

Now, Cam. So wait, wait, wait. Let's let's be clear. Let's be clear. Now in my humble opinion, I don't believe that it's necessarily better than anything else, but now it's no longer to a point where it was significantly drop off and worse than anything else.

So I believe this brings CCM on par with some of the best pads in terms of for sliding for sure. I don't think we I think we've hit a ceiling. Like, how can you slide better than better sort of situation? I mean, we would all agree that the plastic slide surface of the Warrior pad makes it slide very easily. This isn't gonna be the exact same as that, but I put this on par with a Bauer and even O'Brien's, the Vaughn.

I would say we've now got an even keel surface. I think it's harder Mhmm.

Than some of those other models that have different materials. I'm thinking Brian's and Vaughn, I think it's a little almost more rigid on the inside. Interestingly, we've seen some NHL adoption from guys. We actually saw one guy who felt it was a little too fast. Jacob Markstrom was like, I prefer what I have already.

I don't need it to be any faster. So that was interesting. So there is definitely a noticeable difference.

For sure. Definitely something worth coming because that question's gonna come up. So let's Now let's talk about the back. Alright. Dynamic rotation strap makes its return.

This is similar strap that we've seen on CCM pads for the past couple of generations. Adjustable on the inside of the knee stack as well. That knee stack does still include their version of their integrated knee stack as well providing more stability to the pad itself when you're dropping damage to the butterfly.

So some rigidity. The pad's gonna move with your leg, but a little bit more give than some you know, I I wanna think about this is probably closer to a Stabilla Flex than a Stabilla Slide.

That's correct. Yes. To to use a, already coined term, we'll call it that. Right. Sure grip now stock on the actual knee cradle itself.

Instead of that 3D molded. Still an option to custom, but sure grip, a little bit of a nicer surface, a little bit more of a consistent landing. I prefer the sure grip as a recommendation.

As do most NHL goalies, which is one of the reasons they made the switch. If all your pros are wearing it, it makes sense to give this option as the stock one at retail. I gotta be honest with you. I kinda like the three d grip. Personally, I found that there it just was a little almost even taller, but this has got a nice soft landing area like you said.

A lot of guys prefer it. So this is stock.

You can get the 3D grip if you want. Remover out on new wings, so that's nothing new for CCM. Opening the pad up, here's where we start to see some more of the changes. So first, their quick motion strap, their third version now.

What's the second s stand for? Stability Strap. Strapping system.

System. We'll go with it was another So the reason why I really, really like this system is now what we see here. In terms of that added adjustability on the fly to be able to find that perfect fit for the calf, especially guys with a little bit bigger calves and whatnot. Removable Calf. Adjustable. Size for calves.

Exactly. So on its tightest fashion, the pad won't rotate on me at all. I'm able to back that off completely and create a very open, but still have something there in terms of for my fitment. Some people might think of this

as their version of the professor strap folks. We did see in the first generation and the second generation, like, one was a little tight, one was a little loose. Yep. This is the most adjustable, and I think it's great because the strap itself was good. But as you said, different goalies, a different calf, and different preference.

Different strokes for different folks, and you're able to dial it in on the fly. I really, really like that. K. Air nip all the way throughout the leg channel, giving this comfy, breathable leg channel and a little bit of, extra durability material around the QMS. Quick note pro tip coming from Cam here because you're gonna be wearing knee pads.

You should be. If you're wearing a knee pad, please have socks over top of your knee pads, especially for this style of a pad. The Velcro will wear on the air net itself. They've added some durability in terms of adding that material over top of that air net to help prevent some of that. It can still possibly happen.

Remember folks, cover that Velcro. You're gonna make your pads last longer. Easy easy tip. Alright.

I'm gonna just put your knee pads on properly and you'll never have that problem.

But okay, Cam. Whatever. Whatever. What else you wanna keep going here with the with the channel? So we got an extra strap.

Yeah. Same closure of the overall, like, centered calf strap. So that one's easy. Lower calf strap. Removable if you don't want it.

What we do find is that helps to close off that leg channel. Say your leg, you go out to make an extension save, your leg ejects from the pad to a bit of a degree, especially with a looser toe tie set up properly. This helps to kinda keep the pad with you a little bit more and stop you from basically overextending out of the

pad itself. Early adopters of this, we actually had it on our E Flex 6 as a custom options. Early adopters we saw in

the NHL, Jacob Markstrom. Used to be a pro only option as well. Now brought into because of that. Again, when you find out most of your pros keep using it, let's bring it down to the regular routine. And I love that it just it's included.

And I love that it just it's included. You don't have to add it as an option, but it comes off so easily.

And if you don't want it, just get rid of it. Easy. Little more connection down at the bottom of pad. Now interestingly enough,

there is a bootstrap. Now is

this a is this a your spec? So No. Or is this come stock? Stock no bootstrap. You can add it back in if you want.

The pockets are there for it.

That's what I'm saying. Yes. You don't have to custom order the option to have it in there. No. You can just add a bootstrap.

Correct. K. K. Soft boot construction with CCM's version, their push lace. So we have

this version. This just looks like lace to me.

Basically, you have you have elastics at the end. So if you still like, ideally, again, skate lace, we still find is the best performing product. Yes. Again, with the proper amounts of note knots, I think this is a little bit long. I'd probably shorten that up just to about there depending on

actually pretty close to perfect right now. Might be a little longer even. So there's no preference.

This allows that ability to still have that tie around the skate. You have that proper knot up front. You get that little bit of elasticity at the end. With that, I would still prefer switching it to laces, but to each their own. Better than I

think than some of the ones where it switches to elastic here, and we've seen on demos on the ice, we're still pushing off a post out of the reverse. Even if the elastic is after the knot, there's still give rather than instant transfer of power into your push.

Correct. Okay. So we've talked a lot about the pads. But we missed one. What?

Go for Cameron, you missed something. Oh. Oh. Oh. First time ever.

[crosstalk] Your favorite. First time ever. There's a pillow. There's a pillow. And it's not removable.

[crosstalk] So that means it's legal. Yes. NHL legal. Now, interestingly enough, one of the reasons people are probably asking like, hey, like, hasn't CCM had a pillow in past years?

Because honestly, by definition of the rules, it probably wasn't supposed to be there, but everybody else continued to have it and there was never a problem. So now they've added it. What does it do for you? It gives you just a little more stability, little more support when you're down in the butterfly and the reason it was supposed to not be there in the first place, as you're dropping, it helps you get a seal quicker because there's this between your calf and the eggs just pushing that pad down. Maybe you got one skimming underneath. You're just a little late getting with the ice on. This might help you catch it under the pad. Catching those squeakers.

Okay. So Gloves. Yes. One of the biggest improvements so far that we've seen actually on

Cannot out here. Like, not best for last, but best for second. Yes. Because the new 580 glove is exceptional. See that?

There's actually finger stalls in it too. There you

You can't really see that, but that's I mean, trust me. It's not what you've seen previously from CCM. You have to try this on. You have to give it a look. Don't gloss over it because, you know, no finger stalls.

It doesn't have that anymore. We have proper finger stalls. We have a proper closure. We have a proper feel.

There's a reason they've gone back to calling it the 580 instead of the 581 or making it the 582. It's not the same internals. So they didn't go right back to what they used to do because the reality is that was still a heavier glove. Mhmm. Other companies had cut weight.

So this with the new back hand, which we've always liked, we've been a big fan of that. The cross form. Cross form strap really allows you to lock it in. It's got the strap across the top as well. More adjustability in the fingers, the return of finger stalls, put a closure in a pocket that is very much five eighty in origin with internals that allow it to be lighter weight than the original five eighty.

You can really feel that, like, that right away off the bat. Like, makes a difference.

Honestly, folks, this is one of the best, like, feeling gloves off the wall this year so far.

And it closes off the wall, which was an issue in the past generations. It we we sent it in our reviews. It required more break in period. This does not to the point where, Cam, you've ordered Pro Palms instead of Game Ready for some of your stock gloves?

Yes. Some. Some. Not all, but we do have Pro Palms mixed in with our Game Ready Palms as well. We do find that yeah.

It just it was the same consistency of closure right off the bat. So why not get that little bit of extra padding and not lose anything in terms of for your closure?

Now just out of curiosity, is the single tee you have in your hand just a a a Hockey Shop spec, or is that stock?

That is stock. So stock is single tee for these guys. Okay. Double tee would be something that we would do with custom order, for example. But There's

also a floating t you can get?

Yeah. There's a few, like, options here that are, like, fairly interesting here. So stock, they have a single t with an added plus one, so NHL illegal. Similar thing with that floating t, the plus one, NHL illegal. That said There's

a floating tee without the plus one that is NHL legal. Yes. So you've got options. Some of the other changes in the glove in terms of oh, I know what I was gonna say. Moment I was so enam enamored enamored with the way it was closing.

I remind your folks 580 is stock, yes, 590 and 600 so if you order it in CCM EFlex 7 on the custom it is the new generation with all the new internals and the finger stalls are back so it's not like if you go back and order you're not getting last year's product you're getting the new glove, new build in those brakes so it's that these changes are available right through the line 580, 590, and 600 in custom, but 580 is stock. Last but not least, because this is getting long.

Yes. The blocker. I mean, hey, blocker's a blocker. No. Funny funny coin term.

However, Kevin's kind of adopted this. I've been a big fan of the blockers. Like, previously, I think this is a winning recipe that they have there. This has a great punch, great overall feel. You know, it's definitely rivaling some of the other blockers out there for sure in terms of for that overall punch, if not even potentially a little bit better just with its balance point.

Hexapalm. Hexapalm. Love the grip.

It's double thick custom option in the glove as well. Yep. I really like the feel of it. One of the other changes, the finger protection. There used to be a seam here.

Now it's all one piece. So just a little bit of protection of one rides up the stick. Of course, we've got the d three o on the inside finger. So the finger, this has changed shape wise, easier to get a stick in

on the Different sidewall too as well.

A little more reinforced and of course one of my little favorite things that you can do here with their cloth. I mean it's already got pretty good motion but really easy to open it up and give yourself full range. And that was just by Velcro on

the side.

So there it is.

Ladies and gentlemen, EFlex 7. Definitely worth checking out this year. If you have any questions about it, you can give me a call. (604) 589-8299 or 1-800-567-7790. Check it out on the hockeyshop.com.

Or if you would like to get your custom order ready, you just need to head over to CCM's website, design your custom set, and we can absolutely help you out

with that. Oh, speaking of this, like a little Vegas colorway. Our boy, Daren's gonna be calling an order in this one, I think, sure. A little subtle gold. Just the grump gray.

Thanks, Cam. Thanks, Kevin.

Will Cam be sleeping in his vehicle at all over the next couple of weeks?

Who says he gets to go to bed? I think Cam just has to he's got a lot of work to do between now and then. He's got a bad back too, so he might be a little irritable.

The the Hockey Shop, if you don't follow them on on social media, do so because as they they they don't go as deep as what Woody and and Cam are able to do, but there's lots of great content showing off some of the new gear that they're that they're able to bring you up to date on as well.

And Nick the Goalie is gonna show up at Tendyfest, and he shows up on their social media all the time too. He's he's a good dude.

Nick the he doesn't get frustrated, Nick. He he needs to get angrier every now and then.

He's way too happy and nice and individual to get angry. He's got no Woody snaptastic in him. None.

Like, thing if if if I get to TendyFest and I get a chance to to connect with Nick, I'm just gonna say, get give me some fire every now and then. Like, take it keep a stick that's that's old and that's broken down a little bit and and snap that thing over the post and send a message to the boys.

It's time we started a Woody channel, don't you think?

Yes.

Because then it would be all snaptastic all the time. We need to increase the InGoal stick budget, but other than that, it would be brilliant.

That's how you guys one of my skates, on a Saturday morning, the one of the the people that that participates brings their kid. And I I don't know whether the kid wants to come along or whether they the dad just brings them to get them out of the house, but he works the clock and he sounds the buzzer every time there's a goal, and it drives me nuts.

I'd be breaking my stick up all the kid.

Yeah. I'm I'm like, kid, do like, work the scoreboard. That's fine. But don't sound the damn buzzer every time I let in.

There's a solution for that, Daren.

I know. Stop the damn puck.

Find a

way, Daren. Find a way.

Yeah. And and I'm like, having a great day, and then they score. Like, that's a good shot. Like, he's a little ready.

Does he just lean into it, like, multiple tasks? Oh, yeah. Like, it's all done.

It's like the laser sound from a euro dance party.

And half the time, it's not even the the puck doesn't even go in, but he thinks it went in because he's, like, eight. And he's sounding the buzzer, and then I'm even angrier. I'm like, that didn't go in.

This sounds like a video for me to come down and snap on the eight year old.

Please, can you just walk in and go, kid, you're done.

Yeah. Nick the goalie would never. Let's just say this is we're gonna have the we're gonna have the Nick the goalie dark side featuring Woody when all the intrusive thoughts get through.

It's like the angels on your shoulder. The the good angel and the bad angel. Nick, the goalie, and Woody.

Show note for all the parents listening. Woody and Daren are actually two of the nicest people on the planet, and they would not snap on your eight year old if you see him at the rink.

Parent Playbook

Might yell at him. Give him the old stink eye. Like, you little kid. I'm watching you. We've got our parent segment brought to you by Stop It Goaltending U the app.

Stop It Goaltending U the app brings twenty five years of Stop It Goaltending's experience into an easy to digest format on your phone or tablet with updates every day. You want quick hits? That's their one minute primers, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this week on the art of communication. They got medium length. They got a tip on working the ladder this week.

They got a goalie drill on a face off curl to screenshot an extra article on PWHL expansion at the end of the season wrap up as they handed out their championship last week. It is always chock full of information. It brings you the expertise from twenty five years as the goaltending instruction leader in Eastern United States, Brian Daccord and all his expertise all through the Goalie U app from Stop It Goaltending. And, of course, last but definitely not least, whenever you get a subscription to Stop It Goaltending U, the app, you also get a subscription to InGoal Premiums to get all our great content, weekly ProReads with NHL goalies, the best of both worlds, bring them together with a subscription to the Stop It Goaltending U, the app. Hutch.

Now you're gonna get a little insight into how my brain works, and maybe we can have a little bit of a conversation. This started from a question from a parent who didn't have access to a lot of ice, lives a long distance from any rink, and had some questions about maximizing training over the summer and the best way to go about things. And that immediately got me thinking about some of the things we've heard about Eric Comrie, Connor Hellebuyck, people like that who've gone to public skates to train with their skating on the ice, and then took it another level further and thought, let's just have a a little debate. What if you could only do one thing on the ice for training in the summer? Which would you choose?

Would you choose the skating, like going to a public skate, working on your goalie drills, maybe going to power skating, working with a goalie coach who does goalie skating? So that's one option. Would you do specific goalie training by going to a camp or working one on one with a coach? Or would you just take gameplay, get involved in the summer league or some scrimmages or whatever? So I put that out to a bunch of our readers on social to see what the, response was, and I thought I would ask what the two of you think as well.

What do you think would be the best way if you were only allowed to do one? Because, obviously, people would choose more than one if they had the chance, but I think it's a fun way of looking at priorities.

What are the options?

Daren, what do you think?

One, two.

So you got one on one with a coach. Well, not necessarily one on one, but specific goalie training.

So, like, working with a goalie coach?

Working with a goalie coach in whatever format, games in, again, whatever format you might have them, or power skating slash goalie skating.

Well, I know what would be my third. It would be power skating

that just Which which is is funny because I assumed almost nobody would choose that because it certainly doesn't sound like a lot of fun. No. But a lot of people chose that one. Really? Yeah.

Because I think they were thinking what's the best way to spend your time if you can only do one thing.

K. Yeah. Fun wise, that's three. Practical wise, I would say two. I'll go I'll go goalie coach, one on one training, skating, and then games.

You gotta give a reason for the goalie coach being your number one.

I'm getting better. I'm getting fine tuned, and, I'm using what little time that I'm on the ice in the most pinpoint and specific way possible to get better.

K. What do what do you think? Well, I'm goalie goalie coaching first because I need all the help I can get. I need somebody to be and this is somebody mentioned this in one of the comments, and I thought it was actually quite smart. The reality is that every goalie coach is gonna start with skating drills.

Yeah. I love when somebody gets you with a technicality. That was a great comment.

So so I'm gonna go into the technicality. Chances are the goalie coach is putting me through skating as part of my routine. But I I just think the fact that comes with an extra set of eyes for me, even though that means it's inherently more expensive because the beauty of the skating is you just need to find ice, and you can as we've talked about with Eric Comrie and Conner Hellebuyck, they just went out to public skates and decreased movement patterns without a coach there to tell me how to get better. I know I'd improve just by repetition, but I want somebody after working with NHL guys in the summer, not as a coach, but just as an observer and watching them work with coaches, the fine details, including in their skating that they work on, That's what I want. So I'm kinda tempted to say skating because I want that, but without that extra set of eyes to help me refine it, I don't know if I'd actually get there. So that's why I'm going goalie coach.

We'll go goalie skating second, and we'll go games third because I do love playing games, but I get enough of them in the winter. If I gotta sacrifice one, it's that. Hutch, what's your what's your pick?

Well, just to have a little fun, I'll I'll go off the board from what the two of you have taken, and I'll I'll take gameplay. And, the reason I'll take gameplay, we talk here a lot about the importance of learning how to read the game. And no matter how well you set up a series of goalie drills, no matter how game like you make them, it's still not the same as reading what happens in an actual game. So I think fight and and more and more, we see kids getting less gameplay as the game the game of hockey becomes more commercialized, and it gets more and more expensive for kids to play. I think you end up in leagues where saving money is a thing, and they end up having fewer and fewer games in the season, and then you're splitting with a partner.

You get a lot of kids during the season that might only see fifteen, twenty games. And, and that's not enough to develop your skill as a goaltender learning to read the game. So I would I would put gameplay in there just to to be a little bit different and see what people think about that, but it really, really depends on the individual. As so many commenters have said, as they've replied here, it depends on the age. It depends on your need.

Do you have a goalie coach with your team? Because if you don't, getting that specific stuff in the summer is huge. I'd I'd love the people who've pointed out that you get your skating from a goalie coach. I I actually threw the skating one in there, guys, because I was curious to see how people respond, and I was encouraged by the number of people that chose it. And the reason they chose the skating, of course, is you can't make a save if you can't get in position to make that save.

It's the most fundamental skill, and, and I I thought it was great how many people chose that one.

Hey. So quick shout out to everybody that did respond. We just posted this on social media yesterday. Some great comments as Hutch mentioned. A couple that I like, Justin Morrison 42.

Three on three, the more chaos, the better. So a little bit of a reflection of sort of some of the work that Devin Levi does in a three on three rink in the summer, understanding that the game is increasingly dynamic. And if you can survive that, you can survive anything. Also, shout out to the theater goer one one three seven who appeared to be sending his note based on the translation from Russia. So always nice to have people chiming in from all over the world.

I apologize if it wasn't Russia. I didn't have a chance to sort of check. It doesn't It

was Russian, and and I answered in Russia, Woody.

You did? Incredible. In

Russian. I did.

Yep. Did

this But

of course, I just used Google Translate to do it, but but I still did it.

This is why he had Tretiak on his, or he was talking with us about Tretiak being on his Mount Rushmore. Probably should be.

I did. It would be hard to not have him on there, guys.

So and shout out also to Steve d thirty nine. He said, how about something completely different than like soccer or baseball or something else? Burnout is a real thing. Not every goalie wants to be in your net all year, which takes us back to last week's parent segment. And to crazyyankee61 Sense Arena, best bang for your buck.

You're not gonna get any goalie skating, but you can get a lot of gameplay like situations and no shortage of drills. And thanks to their gap program, the new one that we just reviewed over at InGoal mag.com, you also get coaching.

That's awesome stuff. That's like, the coaching side of it, you you will never run out of. Right? That that's the part that you need to feel you, just to get you inspired a little bit, give you a boost, give you a kick, give you some some guidance.

Yeah. It's the other reason I chose coaching as opposed to goalie skating because I just go out there and not work hard enough without somebody cracking the web. I'm inherently lazy. And and, I mean, a good

point about the skating guys, and, obviously, you can come to a place like InGoal and find lots of great skating drills and lots of great tips around them. But simply going out and skating without some instruction, without some intent to what you're doing, you're not necessarily gonna get better. It's not a question of you do more, you get better. It's not practice makes perfect, but practice makes permanent. So having the guidance of a coach to make sure that that footwork is drilled in in in the best way possible, efficiency of movement, is really important.

So if you can get it through specific work with a coach who can guide that, I think that's great. I mean, Eric Comrie, we bring up all the time as an example of somebody who used what little access to ice he had to get out there in public skates and work on his footwork, but he was guided by coach James Jensen, who was on on the ice with him doing that. So, yep, make sure you follow some good teaching, and, ideally, we do as many of these things as we can. And we also as somebody else pointed out in the comments, and I wanna thank them is give yourself a break. It's, it's okay to take a break.

It's not that we're advocating here that summer must be training, training, training. We're just having a a fun little look at, what if you had to make a decision.

Great stuff. Visual Edge ProReads this week.

Well, first off, a little note about Visual Edge. We shared with you last week, Jordan Binnington, talking about his work with them during the hockey season at the four nations logging on on game days to work on it. His exact words, Vizual Edge has added quality element to my preparation as a goaltender. I use the game day drills every game before heading to the rink. It's a combination of recognition, reaction, and focus that activates my brain and eyes to feel ready for what's to come.

So Vizual Edge, we've been talking about them for close to six months now, right up to the NHL, a tool that you can use to get better at seeing the puck, seeing the game, being able to track pucks into you, convergence, being able to sort of zoom out and see everything in your peripherals, divergence. Just two of the many visual skills that Vizual Edge helps you to improve. You take an edge trainer test. You find your strengths and weaknesses, and then they prepare drills to help you accentuate the strengths and improve the weaknesses. You will see more pucks.

You will see the play better. You will end up performing better. Make sure you check out Vizual Edge and use your discount codes InGoal for the small discount code. And for members, log in to ProReads to see the code we use for the larger discount. And ProReads, that makes them a perfect sponsor for ProReads because ProReads is all about helping you see and read the game better.

And this week, we had Charlie Lindgren of the Washington Capitals walking us through, a play. I'm trying to remember what team it was against now, Hutch. I'm brain cramping on what team it was. It was against the New York Rangers, and it was a giveaway. So in zone awareness, it starts with, you know, basically not relaxing as his player was bringing the puck into his zone to the defenseman.

If he had been relaxed, if he hadn't been sort of locked in and focused right away, he wouldn't have been ready for the turnover that led to a breakaway right in front of him. And so he talks about the importance of that, and then he gets into how to manage that breakaway and the importance of depth, and and drifting backwards without widening out and how that allows you to be more reactive and keep more access to your hands. So a great video breakdown from Charlie Lindgren in this week's ProReads. Make sure you check it out at InGoal mag.com. And like I said, you'll also be able to get the discount if you're a subscriber to save more on Vizual Edge.

Just gotta correct myself. Sorry. The discount the public discount is not InGoalmag. It's just InGoal. And, of course, go to ProReads at InGoal mag.com to get as a subscriber the larger discount to Vizual Edge.

The code is in each week's ProReads.

Just to pick up on something you said, being ready on a breakaway and backward flow, but not getting too wide. But I I know what you mean by that, but what does what limits you if you get too wide?

Well, as soon as you start to widen out, two things happen. You're more likely and Charlie walks into this. Right? The further your legs get out sort of beyond your shoulders, the wider and lower your stance get, just the more likely you are to bite and go to the ice early on a fake. And he he sees a fake in this one, and he holds his edges.

And it's just so much easier to do when you've got them underneath you and you have that patience. And that fuels the ability to sort of continue to move versus the first instinct being down, and now you've gotta recover and grab an edge to push if the guy moves at east west on you. And so sort of stock talking about not prematurely widening out, keeping your feet underneath you, not feeling like you need to get into that locked in position prematurely on a one on one chance.

Why do you think it is some days that you you can be so patient on your edges and other days you're biting if there's somebody offering you a fake in the third row? I I I don't understand that. And you're the same person with the same skill skill set.

Oh, man. I feel like we should ask Stuart Skinner.

I'm a sport psychologist for that one. Yeah.

No. I I think I think you do. There's probably a confidence angle, 100%. Like, I'm not denying it, but sometimes I think there's a mechanics angle to it and and sort of biomechanics that allow you to we talked about whether it's stance, tracking mechanics that can sort of set you up at least in a position to feel the most confident consistently. And sometimes I see the difference between goalies that are going early and biting on fakes in the body position as opposed to the confidence.

And the reason I mentioned Skinner is Daren. Like, in the his first game back against Vegas, like, Riley Smith got him with a fake. And by the end of that series, he wasn't biting on any of those fakes. Not nearly as much. So it it is interesting.

It can just be a confidence, a flow, and a feel, and a rhythm thing for a lot of guys. But I do think there are technical and tactical and biomechanical elements can it that it can at least set you up to stay on pucks longer visually, which should help you feel the confidence to be patient off releases and moves.

I think we could get deep into a chicken and egg discussion, though, on that one because do we know that the biomechanics and the setup and so on aren't a product of the confidence and how you're feeling about the situation that you're in at the moment? Which one led to the other? I don't know how you're gonna discern between the two of those.

Confidence is a state a mental state. Biomechanics is a physical thing that should be more repeatable. So if we if we say that one is

mean one led to other.

But but it mean I shouldn't if I don't feel confident, I shouldn't have poor biomechanics. Like, I shouldn't change how I hold my body because I don't feel confident. That that's a lack of that's a lack of mental strength, I would say. Like, that's like physical should be something you can train.

Well, then body language wouldn't exist. Well, for

some guys, it barely does.

No. But I I mean, I'm just making the point that body language is a thing. Our our mental state is reflected in how our body appears to others, so I don't think you can necessarily say that your mechanics will always be the same no matter how confident you are.

Fair. This it's an interesting, debate that that you guys are having because Chicken and egg. The the body mechanics in this one. Well, the body mechanics, you're right. If if you've got that foundation and it is repeatable, confidence shouldn't have a large influence there because you should be there.

You should be making saves. But confidence we know is such an important part where if you're not feeling it or if you're doubting yourself, the puck's going in no matter what you do. So I it it it doesn't feel like confidence should be 50%. But if you've been through it, which people listening have, you know how vital it is.

I don't know what it is. Connor Connor Hellebuyck

gonna be a three time Vezina trophy winner. He battled this in in in the first round, and he's Admitted it.

Yeah. That's that's that's a really good point. I maybe my problem is coming from the other side of it is it's all theoretical because I have no idea what it's like to be a confident goaltender.

Come on. You wouldn't play. We know with the and we we joke a lot about, our shortcomings in the position. But, Hutch, how long do you think Woody would play if he really did suck as much as he makes it sound? Nothing.

He he would be He's

self deprecating. That's all it is.

Yeah. He he would be we know that he snaps so much because he expects so much from himself. He holds himself to a higher standard. There's no way he's going out there and just completely sucking.

Well, I don't know. Hutch has got some pictures that might tell a different story.

You do have a lot of

our moments.

Out there.

Yeah. Yeah. We all have our moments. He Woody spends his life looking at NHL goaltenders. So in comparison, Wood sucks.

This But for a guy his age, he's pretty darn good. He's an old man, and he's playing with young guys out there. For a

guy who didn't start till his mid thirties, I'll throw that in. But it's like I said to Dubnyk when it came to the video review at the end of last week's podcast feature interview, I don't wanna sign up for your program because I never ever wanna see video of myself because in my mind's eye, it looks a hell of a lot better than I know it's gonna look in reality.

Isn't that the truth? Like, getting up. Like, but boy, I felt good. Oh, saw that. That that's not look good.

That looks like

like I'm 80.

Yeah. That that that looks pretty darn scary. I can't believe they didn't stop the game.

You laugh about that, but you're actually illustrating the power of video as a teaching tool because so many times, young goaltenders think they're doing something one way, and then they see themselves do it. And it's not a question of seeing yourself and deciding you suck and far from it. It's just that you think mechanically you're doing something, and then you watch it, you're like, oh my gosh. That's not what I was doing. Okay.

Here we go. It's an incredibly powerful teaching tool.

Yeah. It it was a while ago. Was before I moved to Vegas, and I was having a conversation with a goalie coach, NHL goalie coach. And he said that he was having a debate with this guy, one of his guys, and saying, you you weren't square. You weren't square.

You weren't square. Yeah. I was. Yeah. I was.

And then the goalie came and looked at the video went, I wasn't square. And that it the as a way that they used the video and they didn't go through the whole process deeply. It was just, are you square? Yeah. I'm square.

I mean, you're not. Look at the video. And and sure enough, wasn't even close.

Yeah. You see a lot of, goaltenders when they reach higher levels of the game, and I'm talking NCAA division one, CHL, minor pro guys I've been on the ice with, and they show up with their own phone and a little tripod to put it on the ice. They're not even trusting that a coach will necessarily have one. In most cases, they do as well, but these guys wanna have their film and take it home and review it at the the detail at that level from some of the best goaltenders is impressive.

Do you ever go on Rinkbarn or one of those Livebarn. Livebarn? No. Any of those and and and watch yourself after a a skate, Woody?

I only had to do it once, and that was to justify the punches so that I wouldn't get a longer suspension.

I got absolutely chicken winged on purpose, like elbow right through the side of the head, and I went snaptastic. And I was getting tossed for a while, but once they saw the chicken wing, they backed off on it. So that's the only time I've been on on live barn.

So they reduced your suspension because the guy chicken winged

It was a it was a pretty bad chicken wing.

Good for them because they could have upheld yours and gone after the the other player.

I'm What did say I snapped, Daren? Mine was lifetime, so there was

no way to go but down after that. You you two are not doing a good job of selling a family friendly show this week. Woody's going snap tastic and fighting, guys. Daren's yelling at 8 year olds.

Was much younger Woody. This is a much more inflammable Woody. I'm all peace, love, and and chakra right now.

And this was me last Sunday. Alright? And I I'm right in the middle of this with the eight year old. I just don't need to be mocked. Alright?

I'm behind you, Daren.

And and the kid keeps track of shots too, which is impressive. So I should

You should be yelling at him for missing them

too, aren't Don't yell at him, Daren. Just give him $20 to inflate the total.

No. Because because he doesn't pay close enough attention. So every now and then I'll get a bonus save because he feels like he he he missed one. So I I like that part. Not that I'm writing down the stats right there.

But eight year olds can be bought usually just with candy. So 100% you need to get those totals up. I don't speak from experience or anything. There's a reason Hutch is doing the parent segment,

not me. Or me. NHL Sense Arena feature interview, this week, focusing on, Victor Ostman.

Yeah. We had a great chat with Victor. I feel like, actually, we've waited far too long to set this up because this is an interview that not only contains a lot of sort of technical elements and tactical elements, but this is a young man who went from the NCAA and this year played ECHL, American Hockey League, and made his NHL debut. He has a game in his first pro season that includes and, again, maybe I'm killing the family show vibes here, but includes a goalie fight.

No. You did you did that a long time ago. Okay. It includes a goalie it now. Let's let's Daren Own this one.

Goalie fight with an e bug on the bench. And Did he

fight with an e bug?

You'll have to listen to find out. But on a technicality, he didn't get caught. Wow. At the end of the day, this is a great interview. I wanna know when we get to Victor Ostman.

If the e bug was the e bug nervous, do you think?

I don't know. It was an aged E bug from what I understand. Not our old friend, but up there in years. It'd be like me on the bench, so probably nervous. You gotta listen to the interview, folks.

This is this is what we call the tease.

NHL Sense Arena serving up great options. And you you got an opportunity to go inside. Well, yes.

When you're as bad as me, you look for ways to improve, and NHL Sense Arena is a great way to improve. We've got a review up right now at InGoal mag.com that I wrote. You can actually see me attempting to read shot releases as part of the videos through the headset on and screencast some stuff. There are some great lessons and some great takeaways. So they've got their new goaltending advancement program, GAP program.

It's the first time it's kinda like InGoal. Sense Arena has always had these great tools to get better, but they've never told you specifically how to use them. We just give you tools. You throw them in the toolbox. You pick the ones you want, the ones you don't.

This is the first time they use Brian Daccord, worked with Joey, his son, Seattle Kraken, talking about finding ways to build a progressive program. Two months designed for the summer works through three different attributes, shot release, angles, and traffic. And we started our review with the shot release, and you can read it right now at InGoal mag.com. Walks through all the different details of it. Really reminded me of Craig Anderson and what he taught us, one of the greatest shot release readers in the history of the game, and how he talked about getting better by just looking at everything but the puck in practice.

Tough to do in practice for most people. Tough to waste ice time for most people that aren't in the NHL. You can do it, and they tell you how to and what to look for, what cues to look out for, what body stick blade, hands, knees, hips, all these different elements. And then they use a shot predictor tool to help you get better at reading the release. Devon Levi of the Buffalo Sabres sits on his couch for hours and goes through these types of drills, and now you can too in a progressive format.

And that's just the shot release. We're gonna get into the angles. We're gonna get into the traffic in the coming weeks of the review, but you can go work on it all right now at NHL Sense Arena.

Awesome stuff. Looking forward to this because there's some great videos that you guys have put out from Victor working out. It was the morning skate, doing some skating drills and some warm up drills, and it's it's fascinating getting back to the skating aspect. Stuff that you can just do on your own and instead of just gliding through the day, to borrow that term, be a little bit more detailed on working on your skates by yourself.

Yeah. Victor was really good in that format. We've got a couple of different pro drills. One with him and just his warm up skating and his routine and the edge work he does where he talks about that, and another one where they're using a hinge pattern off the post to warm up their hands. So Colin Zulianello, the goalie coach for Coachella Valley, who was also a past guest, was really gracious sort of reviewing the video as was Victor.

And then after we reviewed the video that day, we sat down and did this podcast interview. So I think, like I said, really unique different background, coming through the NCAA, coming from Sweden, deciding to come over here, and then just the most crazy first year as a pro you can imagine. And he gets into all of it with lessons along the way in this week's feature interview.

Feature Interview - Victor u00d6stman

Enjoy. Really excited to welcome to the InGoal Radio Podcast first time guest, Victor Ostman from Sweden, from the Seattle Kraken, from the Coachella Valley Firebirds, also from the Kansas City Mavericks this year. You have had a hell of a first year pro with a lot

of different subs and a lot. What what's been the toughest adjustment as you you make your NHL debut this year, your first year pro, you play all three levels. What's this been like? Yeah. I know it's definitely been an adjustment in a first year pro, and I knew about it, but it's definitely harder living it for the first time just, like, how much movement there is in the moving parts with players getting traded and you getting called up and down.

Yeah. I know it's definitely been an adjustment in a first year pro, and I knew about it, but it's definitely harder living it for the first time just, like, how much movement there is in the moving parts with players getting traded and you getting called up and down.

So that's probably the biggest adjustment that I knew about, but also wasn't really prepared for. But it's been a lot of fun. That part kinda makes it exciting too because you're like, you never know what's gonna happen. You know? So and it happened so quick.

And like you said, I started the year in the Coast, and then to think that I would make my NHL debut was, like, pretty surreal and especially when I was in the coast. So it happens very fast and but it's a lot of fun too. Why'd you choose like, walk me through the decision coming out of Maine and choosing Seattle. Well, they were always interested for for a while, and it seemed like they I would come to an organization that really wanted me, which which was obviously important. And also from being at dev camp and meeting everyone and stuff, like, the the the whole staff seems really good from Seattle down to Coachella and even in Kansas City too.

So it's just a well run organization. And, yeah, those probably those two refills. The starting in the ECHL, I've had guys say that the jump from the AHL to the NHL can often be easier than the jump from college or junior to pro. Did you have like, did you get do you have goalie coaching help down there? Like, I know we've got Colin Zulianello in Coachella Valley, and, obviously, we know Steve Speer really well in Seattle.

The starting in the ECHL, I've had guys say that the jump from the AHL to the NHL can often be easier than the jump from college or junior to pro. Did you have like, did you get do you have goalie coaching help down there? Like, I know we've got Colin Zulianello in Coachella Valley, and, obviously, we know Steve Speer really well in Seattle.

But did you have some support down there when, you know, when you're at that level as well from a goalie specific standpoint? Yeah. So we had or we have Rob Couture, which is our goalie coach in Kansas City. And I don't know how many teams, but I don't think a ton of teams have a goalie coach full time at least. So I got really lucky having him being there as a full time.

Yeah. So we had or we have Rob Couture, which is our goalie coach in Kansas City. And I don't know how many teams, but I don't think a ton of teams have a goalie coach full time at least. So I got really lucky having him being there as a full time.

So he's the video coach and goalie coach. So that that's obviously huge just to, like, have someone to work with on a daily basis and to watch video. I also got a lot of help from from Zulie and everyone in Seattle with with, like, video and stuff, but it's different having someone there every day that can kinda see your game live in practice every day and you can work on stuff with him. So he's been a lot of help for sure this year. What the what's the biggest adjustment?

What like like, technically, tactically, you've been in North America, so you're used to the smaller rinks, but even NCAA to pro. Has the game changed that much in terms of how you have to manage it as a goalie, is there a lot of continuing themes from what you were working on when you were at Main?

I think guys are smarter pro for sure, and that's a big probably the biggest adjustment, especially going up the higher up you go on the levels. Like, that's something I noticed in the one NHL period I got was how smart guys are, and they don't pass up on. Like you might think they're gonna shoot, but then they slide it backdoor at the last second. And you're like, and there's a guy there.

You know? And it's like, they're they're so smart with the puck, and they're so deceptive. So that that was probably the biggest adjustment where the game or I guess in college college, it's more just go go go at times, just the way the game is and how tight the games are, and it's it can be tough for guys to make plays even if they're really skilled and smart in college. Or in pro, it's a little less like, guys aren't always on you in a sense where, like, some guys are, some guys aren't in pro. And if you give a smart player time and space, they're they're gonna make it play every time.

You know? And it's like, they're they're so smart with the puck, and they're so deceptive. So that that was probably the biggest adjustment where the game or I guess in college college, it's more just go go go at times, just the way the game is and how tight the games are, and it's it can be tough for guys to make plays even if they're really skilled and smart in college. Or in pro, it's a little less like, guys aren't always on you in a sense where, like, some guys are, some guys aren't in pro. And if you give a smart player time and space, they're they're gonna make it play every time.

So I wanna dial it back a little bit to your roots because we've I mean, we've had Thomas Magnuson on. We've talked a lot about sort of Swedish goaltending and the foundations that they put in place in the coaching. Where'd you get started? Like, where how did how did Victor Ostman become a goaltender? What what inspired you to do it?

And what were some of your early influences and sort of access to coaching like? Yeah. So growing up in Sweden, obviously, we've had some great goalies. Henrik Lundqvist was my the big one for sure. And I don't know.

Yeah. So growing up in Sweden, obviously, we've had some great goalies. Henrik Lundqvist was my the big one for sure. And I don't know.

I just wanted to become a goalie. I obviously like the gear like like most kids do, and I tried it out, and it was a lot of fun. And then, yeah, just kind of was obsessed with the goaltending position. I even like, I was a goalie in soccer too and, like so I I Those nets are way too big. Yeah.

And for some reason, yeah, I just wanted to be a goalie. And hockey was always my sport even though I played soccer. But and, yeah, like you said, I got some early I got lucky that way that I got early, like, goaltending coaches, and I I got to able I was able to get practice from, like, a goalie coach from an early age, which like, what what kind of age? Like, seven, eight, 10, 11? Yeah.

Probably, like, 10, 10, eleven, twelve. Like, I would get consistent goalie training on the ice, like, maybe once or twice a week just to, like, work on fundamentals. And that was really big for me, and that helped me a lot. And, yeah, I I was lucky that way with with having people there that knew goaltending, you know. From Dandrid. Yeah.

Hopefully, I'm saying that right. Whereabouts in Sweden is that? And then you end up at HV 71, which is if I'm gonna again, I'm gonna try not to butcher this, but Lindchpin Okay.

Close enough for me. Like Two shoppings. Oh, so it's a different one?

Yes.

So I actually had the right pronunciation, but the wrong wrong one. Okay. That figures. I there's I'm always gonna get something wrong, Victor. I all I remember is I went to training camp in Sweden in 2000, and the Sydney Twins, that was the first one, and it was on Skolvik.

Yeah. Yeah. But everybody just told me to call it OVIC so I wouldn't make a fool of myself. So so walk me through where that is, and and the access to coaching. You mentioned early age, but HV 71 and coming up, how that transition and what that process was like as a junior and into pro.

Yeah. So Dandryd is, like, about fifteen minutes north of Stockholm. And so, yeah, that's that's where I grew up playing. And then I moved to Yongeoping and HV 71 when I was 15 to play juniors there and also did high school there. So that was a big step for me to go on to a team that because those teams obviously being an SHL team, they have more resources for their junior programs.

And I was fortunate to be able go to a team that believed in me. And yeah. That's that's where I went and spent three years there. And that's also where I kinda realized, like, I could pursue hockey. I wasn't I was never, like, really good there.

Like, I was in front of a couple really good goalies that played pro, like Hugo Ollehnefeld, Adam OHL, he's in the SHL right now. And so those guys would be they would be playing in front of me, but I would I still felt like I I was right there with them, you know? And a lot of credit to my goalie coach there, William Rom. You probably know him. Yeah.

I met him yet.

Yeah. So

he he was great. And, yeah, those three years were really good for me. And then went to The USA TO on Chicago Steel, and that was kind of a turning point too, I guess, first year in in North America. And I wasn't able to get, like, a pro deal in Sweden where I like I was aiming for, I guess, the second tier division in Sweden. Oh, Hans?

Yeah. Osmanzken. Yeah. And I figured that I wasn't gonna get a shot there. So that's why I kinda realized I'd go the a different route and go to North America.

And college was also something that I I wasn't, like, super into it. Like, it wasn't like I knew that I was wanting to go to college, but it was also something that I I knew about and I thought it would be really cool to try. And so, yeah, that's why I did that and I'm really happy I chose that path. And, yeah, it worked out. Not an easy path.

Not an easy choice. I think a lot of guys probably stay home longer than that, like, at a young age to come over and play junior. Was that what was the adjustment like? It's one thing to come over to a totally different culture, and I know, like, obviously, you speak English very well, and I haven't been to Stockholm. I know most people do, but it's still there's still a lot of differences to do it at that age.

How what was the toughest part of that?

Yeah. I it's it was something exciting about it for me, like, going to a different country and speaking English and, you know, all that like, all those things that it wasn't that they made me scared or nervous. It was more, like, exciting for me, you know? So I I I wanted to do that. And, yeah, I just wanted to get a fresh start, go to a country where or a place where no one really has seen me, like, no one has, like, put any, like, judgment on my game or my like, it's just like a goalie that no one really knows about.

And I just I was excited about that and just making a name for myself. You know? I love that. Embracing that opportunity as opposed to looking at it as, like, having to start fresh. How'd you end up at the University of Maine with our good friend and and former podcast guest, Alfie Michaud?

I love that. Embracing that opportunity as opposed to looking at it as, like, having to start fresh. How'd you end up at the University of Maine with our good friend and and former podcast guest, Alfie Michaud?

Did you have were there was it a choice to go there? Were there other options? What led you to making that decision and ending up at Maine? Honestly, Alfie was probably the biggest reason I went to Maine because, like, he went out to Chicago and he visited me and I could tell that he was really interested. And I had other teams too, but in college too, I it was big for me to have a goalie coach full time.

Honestly, Alfie was probably the biggest reason I went to Maine because, like, he went out to Chicago and he visited me and I could tell that he was really interested. And I had other teams too, but in college too, I it was big for me to have a goalie coach full time.

And now most teams do, but back then, you could only have three coaches paid. So that kinda made it difficult to to have like, some guys would have a goalie coach, some wouldn't. And Alfie, obviously, being the name he is and that he just like, Jeremy Swayman was having, like, his Mike Richter year that year, and he was so it was like and just seeing seeing him talk about Swayman, and I was like, if Sway can do that, like, I wanna I wanna do that too. So that was a big inspiration for me to see him. Because like Swayman wasn't like a super, like, big tower when he went to Maine.

And so that's that was exciting for me too. And I I I went up there on a visit and I I liked it. It was very similar in to Sweden, like, in terms of the climate, and I just felt like home, you know. And I like it's a smaller town and the hockey team is very big and important for the fans, and that was exciting for me too to go on a team with, like, a really passionate fan base. So, yeah, that's why I chose Maine.

Does this mean did you end up taking the ballet class? I did not. Oh. But I did do ballet in the gym. We would, like, put up like, play a YouTube video and just, like, follow along ballet.

I did not. Oh. But I did do ballet in the gym. We would, like, put up like, play a YouTube video and just, like, follow along ballet.

I did not. Oh. But I did do ballet in the gym. We would, like, put up like, play a YouTube video and just, like, follow along ballet.

And Alfie would come in and, like, sneak in. He would he would laugh a little bit, and the guys would be like, what's going on? Our our strength coach was like, alright. You guys just do your thing. Like, I'm not I'm not a part of this.

But, yeah, he got us into ballet. And, yeah, it's it's good for your hips and balance and ankle strength. So it's definitely, yeah, definitely beneficial. It's funny because it kinda became a big thing when Sway talked about it with us. And, like like you said, that reaction can kinda be mixed among hockey players, but the reality is the ankle flexion, all those things.

I watched you on the ice today before you know, we're we're up here in in Abbotsford playoffs. I'm watching you on a practice day, and I'm watching your warm up, and I'm watching the mobility and the access to edge work and and all those things. And it's like it's really, really impressive. Where do not trying to connect it directly to ballet, but where where what are the different things that allow you that you've done over the years to have that type of edge work, that type of control, and that smoothness in your skating?

Yeah. I think a big part of this is actually ankle flexibility and ankle strength, which I I think I just naturally have had flexible ankles. And I think for me, I don't know if a lot of goalies to it. I just feel like I use them a lot in my skating, like grabbing edges and, you know, small, like, adjustments with your toe, like, with the front of your your skate when you're down on your knees, you you need a lot of ankle flexibility. So and strength because you don't want them to to get hurt.

Yeah. I think a big part of this is actually ankle flexibility and ankle strength, which I I think I just naturally have had flexible ankles. And I think for me, I don't know if a lot of goalies to it. I just feel like I use them a lot in my skating, like grabbing edges and, you know, small, like, adjustments with your toe, like, with the front of your your skate when you're down on your knees, you you need a lot of ankle flexibility. So and strength because you don't want them to to get hurt.

And so, yeah, I think that's that's a big part of it. And then I just, like, love watch. Like, when I was younger, I feel like I I love watching, obviously, Lundqvist, also Carey Price and just, like, trying to I I just wanted to look like Carey Price when I was younger. And he obviously had that, like, very, like, smooth skating. And without saying that, I'm Carey Price, but I think just, like, watching a lot of goaltending and I'm watching a lot of good goalies do something.

And the biggest thing was, like, I I wanna make my game I wanna make everything as simple as possible. And I think Carey Price is probably one of the best goalies ever to make it just just simplify the game. And so that's always been a big part of my game is just trying to simplify it as much as possible.

And the biggest thing was, like, I I wanna make my game I wanna make everything as simple as possible. And I think Carey Price is probably one of the best goalies ever to make it just just simplify the game. And so that's always been a big part of my game is just trying to simplify it as much as possible. The ankle I mean, I'm curious on the ankle strength. Is that just something you said?

You said it came out naturally. Have you are there things you do to enhance it? And and included in that, I'm curious, I didn't look, but skates, how you do them up? Because because a lot of today's skates kinda lock in the ankles. And when you talk about having access to toes, I'm guessing you mean, like, edges and quick little pushes and the ability to sort of turn on your knees and move on your knees.

Do you do anything unique in terms of how you do up your skates? Keep them loose at the top or anything like that that maybe kids, you know, might not have thought of? Nothing crazy. I I leave the first eyelid open. I tie them pretty tight, not, like, overly tight.

Nothing crazy. I I leave the first eyelid open. I tie them pretty tight, not, like, overly tight.

I don't like having them having them too tight around the ankle. Like, I don't like having tape around there or tying them too tight. But I should probably ask what you're in. True. The True two piece.

And, yeah, I've liked those a lot. I tried the one piece. The one thing I like about the the two piece, feel like I can get a little higher, which all like, it helps me grab my edges better when I'm a like, the the toques are a little higher and the the steel is a little higher too. So easier access Yes. Yeah.

So easier access Yes. Yeah.

Exactly. So yeah. But other than that, I don't do anything crazy with with my skids. Okay. So ankle flexion is important, but just something that, you know, kids can think of.

Well, I I think from almost a training perspective, we hear about dorsiflexion in the ankles, but I'm not sure a lot of people you know, I don't know. It's the first thing they think of when training as a goaltender. And yet when I watch you move, and that's the first thing you identify as a strength that makes me think, hey. This is something we should be thinking about. And also, just I think maintaining the health in them is important.

And also, just I think maintaining the health in them is important.

Like, I used to have a little bit of nagging, like, ankle injuries and just strengthening in, like, your calf and doing, like, a lot of stuff on on one leg or calf raises. I think that really helpful and beneficial too for builders. What did you notice? I mean, you come Chicago from Sweden. William Rahm, not sure you had in Chicago because I'm not sure of the time line.

I know Carl Popper was there, but I'm thinking that might be after you. Oh, Mike Garman, who's now still there, and we know Mike as well. So goalie world is small. And then to Alfie, what did you notice in the differences? Like, what you know, I think there are sometimes stereotypes about Swedish goaltending and goalie coaching, and I'd be curious what your experience is and how differed from Sweden to North America in terms of the approach and the style of coaching.

Yeah. For sure. I mean, goalie coaches in Sweden are like I said, they have a stereotype, and I think most of them fall under that category where it's a lot of It shouldn't be a bad thing. I don't think like, it's just there's a there's a technical foundation. For sure.

Like, if you look at any Swedish goalie, they're usually good technically. Like, they they move pretty well. They they're they're good around the post. Their post play is really good. And then you come here and you see goalies that are a little more, like, maybe they compete a little harder, maybe they have better hands, and they're a little more like free in the way they move, which you need to.

And so that's one thing I've tried to model or learn when I've got here is I still wanna have, like, that good technique and but I also wanna have, like, some some flow and, like, some some I wanna be free out there too and have good hands and, you know, trust my my reads and stuff like that and don't just be a robot. So, yeah, I I think that's kind of the best goal is have the combination of both. And when you and speaking of goalie coaches too, I think that's you know, you see those similar there's those similarities too in how they coach. And in Sweden, I feel like a lot of coaches are always, like, very, like, understanding and thoughtful and, you know, wanna talk things through and very methodical. And here, it's it's still a lot of goalies are like that.

A lot of goal coaches are like that here, but then Alfie is not really like, he can he's more of a coach where, like, in Sweden, I feel like goalie coaches are mentors, you know, and they're always on your side and, like, they always, like, they're on the goalie side, but Alfie like actually is different that way and he like he puts pressure on you like a head coach almost. And that's one thing I wasn't used to, but he, you know, made me realize that and I give him a lot of credit for it too because he makes you work and he makes you compete and it's all like, you can't always blame the d or like there's always something you can do and having that mindset, I think, is important too. It's like you're right. And we do it here at InGoal too. Right?

It's like you're right. And we do it here at InGoal too. Right? We look at goals and, like, that wasn't the goalie's fault. Like, we're always making excuse. But at the end of the day, finding that compete level that like, what can I do different within that? How tough an adjustment? Like, how tough was that the first time you had that conversation with him? And is there a risk in too much of it, or where do you find that balance for yourself personally?

Was definitely an adjustment. My first year, he would, like, get on me about stuff. I'm like, how is this my fault? He would be like like, it's a two on one. The guy makes a pass one time a goal.

And he's like, did you call out a two on one? I'm like, no. Like, it's pretty obvious it's the two on one. He's like, well, your D maybe doesn't know what hand he is or where the the forwards are, like their speed, like did you tell that to him? And I'm like, no.

He's like, well then that's on you. I'm like, okay. You know, like he he he's big on that stuff and he's like, there's a guy wide open in the slot and he goes bar down and Alf is like, did you tell your D that there's a guy there? I'm like So communication? Yeah.

I'm like, no. And he's like, okay, that's your goal. And you know, and he always looks on ways to you know, he's always has that mindset of we could always be better, and I like that. And I think it has helped me a lot.

What other kind of things changed and have evolved in your game, whether it's whether it's as a young junior in Sweden coming up through the ranks, your time in Chicago, Maine, and now first year pro?

Like, if there's one thing that's improved the most, what would you say it is? Like, what is your what would your focus be? What do you think's taking the biggest stride? That's a pretty wide range, that question. But what are some of the things that you, you know, you you think have really evolved in your game over the years?

Because the game changes in front of you too at each level. I would probably say, like, my my skating. I've always been good on my knees and around the post and post playing like most Swedes are, but I think my game, like, here, especially it's a big emphasis on on being a good and an efficient skater and getting there set, getting there with the the ability to make a good save. Like, it's one thing to get to a spot, but it's one thing and it's another thing to get there, have enough time to make a good save you want, put the rebound in a in a good place or just hold on to it. So I think that's the biggest thing for me.

I would probably say, like, my my skating. I've always been good on my knees and around the post and post playing like most Swedes are, but I think my game, like, here, especially it's a big emphasis on on being a good and an efficient skater and getting there set, getting there with the the ability to make a good save. Like, it's one thing to get to a spot, but it's one thing and it's another thing to get there, have enough time to make a good save you want, put the rebound in a in a good place or just hold on to it. So I think that's the biggest thing for me.

I I know coming here, I was I would get, you know, super wide. I would slide on my knees if I couldn't get there on time, and that's something I'm I'm still working on. It's one of the hardest part of goaltending is, you know, getting to spots and being there, you know, set for and ready for a shot. So, yeah, that's one thing I'm working on and still wanna improve on. But yeah.

I noticed not everything's a T push. A lot of shuffles and sort of lateral releases into stuff. Is that new? Has that always been a part of your game? Because it's it kinda fits what you're speaking to in terms of what's one thing to get there, it's another thing to get there square and sort of in position to react.

And I and I I I thought it looked really smooth the way you were setting into shuffles and things like that rather than everything being a t push. I'm just curious if that's that's something new or something you've added. Yeah. It's fairly new. I'd say for probably, like, last two years in my game.

Yeah. It's fairly new. I'd say for probably, like, last two years in my game.

Like, I used to like, so when I got to The States and I realized I needed to get better on my feet, I would be that goalie that would like t push everywhere and like everything had to be like super hard and rigid and like then I realized that a lot of times it's better to like just be a little smoother, a little more fluid fluid. And yeah. So I I think that that's something I've changed a little bit and I think it it helps me a lot and like a lot of times you don't have to t push super hard. Like you can still get there with a shuffle or a c cut and a push and for me that's just like I talked about simplifying the game and because that's an easier movement and you're not opening up your legs as much as in the t push and you have a little more flow like backwards flow that's something Alfie is huge on too. So you have a little more like even if the shot is a one timer or he catches it, like you have a little more you're not like stuck when you get there, you know?

And I think sometimes when you have a hard t push, if it's like the guy pulls it back where you're coming from, you kinda get stuck. Or if he, like, fans on the shot, you get stuck. Whereas if you have a little more, motion to your game and I think you can correct and adjust to those things more easily.

Right. The old the the shuffle the t push, you gotta open and close, and plays can change while you're open. And you have to set angle once you get there, whereas that shuffle, you're sort of setting early angle and shuffling into the space, but you're square the whole time. I just for a guy who's only been doing it for two years, it sure looks smooth. I know you you mentioned Carey Price. I I kinda had that vibe, so kudos. Adjusting, getting that comfortable at game speed, like, you know, it's one thing to practice those things. Bringing it into games, changes like that.

What what what's your best advice you can give to young kids that are trying to make like, we're heading into the summer for a lot of kids. They're gonna make changes with new goalie coaches, new voices. Then we're gonna get into the fall, they're gonna have to take it on the ice in the game situation. Any advice on how to take something that you're working on and and and incorporate it at a comfortable level in a game situation? Yeah.

I mean, just being patient with yourself and real and also realizing when it's a good time to work on stuff like that and when maybe it isn't. Like, during the off season, it's a great opportunity to work on stuff in in your game that you wanna get better at. And it's not always gonna be natural. It's gonna feel weird and but the more you do it, the more natural it's gonna feel and just allowing yourself to to really work on it. Like, don't take the easy way out of just falling back to your old habits and thinking that, oh, I'm gonna I'm gonna be able to do this in in a couple weeks or like you really have to work on something to to make it a part of your game.

I mean, just being patient with yourself and real and also realizing when it's a good time to work on stuff like that and when maybe it isn't. Like, during the off season, it's a great opportunity to work on stuff in in your game that you wanna get better at. And it's not always gonna be natural. It's gonna feel weird and but the more you do it, the more natural it's gonna feel and just allowing yourself to to really work on it. Like, don't take the easy way out of just falling back to your old habits and thinking that, oh, I'm gonna I'm gonna be able to do this in in a couple weeks or like you really have to work on something to to make it a part of your game.

So yeah, and then also realizing that okay, maybe it is a summer skate and I'm really frustrated with this thing I'm working on. It's okay to be like, okay. I'm not gonna even think about this for this next drill. Like, now I'm just gonna play. So to be able to go back and forth from, like, really focusing on something and to then go back to just playing hockey, I think it's big too.

Is that a key for summer too? Because summer can kinda be a time when we train, like what was the word? I can't remember the word that Devin Levi's coach used with us, and Devin used it programming. Programming technical, but to not lose that sorta just playing to the instinctual part of the game? For sure.

I mean, no matter where you are or what you do, like, the instinctual part and just playing hockey has to be there too because I think that's something you can get better at too and something you always need to work on like making reads and like that's so much that's such a big piece about goaltending is making reads and reading off of where he's gonna shoot it, if he's gonna shoot it, or if he's gonna pass it, like is there a guy backdoor? Just like being able to be free and take all those take all that information in and process it is so important. And if you're constantly thinking about something that you're working on, you're you're not gonna be able to take that information in.

Okay. So I have to ask, how do you get better at reads? Like, for you, is it studying? I mean, obviously, experience, but, like, did you film work? How do you get better at connecting those patterns?

I think, obviously, video is big, watching hockey is big, but just seeing it and try to process as much information as you can when you're out there and just trying to see patterns and really focus on like, guys are so good these days at throwing like false information at you and to be able to know if he's throwing false information at you deliberately or if he's actually trying to make that play. And I think it just comes from reps.

And I I think that's one of the most fun parts about hockey or goaltending today is that it's always that count cat and mouse game between players and and goalies. And to be able to, like, outsmart a player is, like, one of the best feelings ever. Like, he he maybe he's faking a pass and on a two on one and he goes high glove and you you you know that he's gonna go high glove and you make that save. It's like, I love that part of goaltending where you have to think the game and that's why I think it's a lot of fun the higher up you go because guys are smarter and you you're forced to think the game more. So that's why one thing I love about goaltending.

And I I think that's one of the most fun parts about hockey or goaltending today is that it's always that count cat and mouse game between players and and goalies. And to be able to, like, outsmart a player is, like, one of the best feelings ever. Like, he he maybe he's faking a pass and on a two on one and he goes high glove and you you you know that he's gonna go high glove and you make that save. It's like, I love that part of goaltending where you have to think the game and that's why I think it's a lot of fun the higher up you go because guys are smarter and you you're forced to think the game more. So that's why one thing I love about goaltending.

Okay. So I'm gonna ask on a similar note, what's your favorite save? Like, it doesn't have to be one that you've made, like, a specific moment against the team. But, like, if is that, like, an example of your your favorite type of save? Like, everybody sort of has different ones.

Like, it'll be a glove off a backdoor. Do you have a favorite save? Yeah. Obviously, there's those flashy ones. They're always fun, like but Usually, the highlight reel means you've made a mistake.

Yeah. Obviously, there's those flashy ones. They're always fun, like but Usually, the highlight reel means you've made a mistake.

Usually, the highlight reel means you've made a mistake.

Yeah. Yeah. But, yeah, I do really love a hard save made look easy and you can't do that without reading it well. So, yeah, that's probably my answer. Okay.

My that's my same one, obviously, at a much much lower level. But, you know, when you when there's a backdoor tap in, but you're so on it early that they just slam it into your pad with nowhere to go, I think that's my that's my favorite. It usually involves a read. I did wanna ask you about your skates too because you talked about shuffles. You change

your sharpening as part of that. As you start to get more into shuffles, did you do anything different with your hollow? You're I know you're a Lundqvist fan going up, but I I'm guessing watching you skate, you're not inside edge high like he was. No. I actually talked about it to my equipment guy today.

No. I actually talked about it to my equipment guy today.

Like, I I get my skates on pretty sharp at three eights, and I've done that for a long time. And I don't know. I I they they don't feel too sharp to me, but I don't They don't I was gonna say three eights and the

and the way you shuffle, it doesn't look like there's any digging. Yeah. It's nice.

So yeah. I don't know.

But I definitely don't like them too sharp because I wanna be able be able to have that, like, fluidity in my game. And if they're a little duller, like, I don't think it really hurts me. You know? So Plus the the sharpness of the edge work when you're on your knees, you're a big guy too. You gotta have a little you can't have any slip out there, I'm guessing.

So Plus the the sharpness of the edge work when you're on your knees, you're a big guy too. You gotta have a little you can't have any slip out there, I'm guessing.

You've had a lot of firsts this year. We'll wind this up. I've taken more time than I said I would, but I've really enjoyed this, so I'm sorry. You've had a lot of firsts this year, a first pro game at three different levels. You also had your first goalie fight?

Yeah.

And so I need to know because not only did I hear you won it, but I heard you stayed in the game. So how I I haven't seen video. I gotta look this up. Zulie just whispered in my ear that this happened, so I had to ask about it. Yeah.

A lot of firsts for sure, and I didn't think I would get a goalie fight. But, yeah, I don't know. It's it was one of those games we're up, like I think it was, like, nine to three, and the game was getting out of hand. And, yeah, it was like a scrum in front of their net, and their goalie obviously frustrated with how the game is going. And he he got put in that game too, but he like, he's a big competitor, in in Utah.

And I've only I played him a couple times this year, but you can tell that he is a big competitor. And, yeah, he started going at, like, one of our like, getting in the scrum a little bit. And it wasn't like he was just, like, gave our guy, like, one or two shots. Like, he actually, like, kept going for a while. So I was like, okay.

I gotta stay on my ground here. So I went up to the the red line. I didn't think much of it. You know? I didn't think he would actually come up to me.

And then he sees me, and I just, like, see in his eyes. So he's like like, he's, like, he's gonna go on me. So he's, like, scrambling like the refs were trying to, like, get in the way, and he's, like, he's not seeing them. He's only seen me. So, yeah, we square up, but center eyes was pretty cool.

Okay. I'll figure out how you stayed in the game later. I don't know how the rules work down there. Right?

You stayed on the right side of center, I guess.

I did not know that was a thing too. But, apparently, it was in the coast. So if there are no other fights in that, like, stoppage of play and it's only the two goalies fighting, they can go back in the net. And it's like, I've never heard of it heard of it. Like, I went into the room.

Like, I got patched up after the fight. I was in the training room and Daniel Amesbury, who is a big fighter, obviously, he knew about he knows about every fighting rule there is. So he, like because we had an E BUG that game. Oh. Yeah.

We had an E BUG. He was, like, in his fifties probably. Like, he hasn't, like, just like a local Utah guy. So it's like it's like if that was me, that would be my dream moment. I'd be like, alright.

You gotta fight. I'm going in.

Yeah. Yeah. And Except they never let me e bug. I'm not good enough. And

that's also one thing that I completely forgot about. And because I was just so so in the moment. And, obviously, when they see the two goalies squaring up, like, the fans are going wild. Like, apparently, like, our whole bench was, like, yelling at me not to do it, but they also, like, kinda wanted me to do it. So they were, half of the guys were, like, wanted to see it, and half the guys, like, told me not to.

And I didn't hear any of that because I was just, like, focused on the guy in front of me. And yeah. So I fight, whatever, go back in the in the locker room. And then Amesbury just comes running into the training room. He's like, you're going.

I'm like, what? And yeah, it was it was insane. And yeah, he so Amesbury knew about this. He told our coach, the refs didn't even know about it. So he tells our coach and he tells the ref, he's like he can go back in and play and the ref's like no he can't and he's like yeah it's a rule, look it up.

So they like I think they actually had to look it up during the game. They're like, oh, yeah. He can he can play. So I'm in the room, like, they're I'm getting patched up on my hands, and then Amesbury comes running from the bench into the training room. He's like, you're going back in.

I'm like, alright. And I go on the ice, and, like, the whole crowd was just booing me. It was awesome, but, yeah, it was a good experience. Oh, okay.

One one last first I need to hear about, and that's the first your first chance to get the call up to the NHL.

Everything, the moment, and then getting into a game. I'm guessing because it wasn't a start, you didn't have family in town, or were you able to get anyone in? Or what just what do you recall that moment? And is there as much as I know you want your first start at some point, but is there is it easier at all to come off the bench because you're not thinking about it all that expectations? Walk me through it.

Yeah. So that was also one of those things where it's like, it happened so fast. So I was, you know, went to the rink in Coachella for practice like normal. And right before I'm going on the ice, they're like, hey. You're you're getting called up.

[crosstalk] They got a game tonight in Utah. So I flew out that day, and I go straight from the airport to the rink. And just being there on the guys and on the bench for any tele game was, like, a pretty surreal feeling. And then Dream come true moment even if you're not starting. Yeah.

For sure. For sure. And then realizing that I'm actually going in was like, oh god. But like you said, I think the fact that I didn't start probably helped me because I was able to just like I got nothing to lose at that point. Like, we were down 7-1.

I got I I was more excited to get the opportunity than to that I was nervous or scared or so I I liked the way I handled it, like, looking back at it because I really had a mind a mindset of just going out and having fun, you know? And, yeah, it was it was insane. It was it was really cool and yeah.

That's a team with a lot of offense. What's your like, what do you mean, 12 out of 12.

Are there any moments that jump out at you? And is part of having fun in that moment just playing the same game you do at every other level and not trying to do too much, which can be a hard thing to convince yourself of.

Right. That was honestly one of the things I told myself is just it's just hockey. You know?

And no matter what level it is or if it's a summer skate or NHL game, it's it's just hockey. And that kinda got my nerves in check too. Just being out there with guys, and it was just a lot of fun because like I said, I guys are so smart and they make good plays and to be able to, like, feel like, oh, like, I can I can play at this level? You know? Like, I can keep up with this, and I can make these saves.

Yeah. It was just a lot of fun. Well, this has been a lot of fun, Victor. Thank you so much for taking the time. I know our audience is gonna really enjoy this.

Well, this has been a lot of fun, Victor. Thank you so much for taking the time. I know our audience is gonna really enjoy this.

And as I understand it, it's an international audience because your your playing partner, Alice, told us that they listened to us in The Czech Republic. I know they listened to us in Sweden. So everybody's gonna get to hear this. It's been a real pleasure to sort of have you walk us through Sweden to Chicago to Maine to now with Seattle and then the organization. Best of luck.

We can't wait to catch up with you as your career continues, and thank you for the time.

Thank you very much. Thanks for having me.

Outro

Cool stuff. And did when did you record that during the course of his day because you got morning skates, you got games, every everything.

That was actually after practice day between games because into the American League. But usually when teams come in for the American Hockey League to Abbotsford, nearby Vancouver, it's for back to back games on the weekend, and it's tough to get that time. But with the playoffs and a game off in between or day off in between games, they had a practice day, so I caught up with them after a practice day.

Neat stuff. And, being able to video those practices is not something you get to do all the time because the goalie's either out way before or they're on a different sheet or or something like that where you don't have the access. So that that was fun to be able to witness through your eyes.

Colin Zulianello, like I said, a big fan of his and, for for not only sorta running some good goalie stuff for us, but inviting us out and telling us exactly when they would be on and then spending the time afterwards to go over it. Make sure you check that out at InGoalmag.com.

Hutch, you doing okay over there? You getting through it?

I'm having a great time. It's our day at the hockey shop, and we've recorded so many segments here that as Woody's having his fun telling everybody all about the latest idea to flitter into his brain, I'm, working away here on the equipment reviews we did. I'm multitasking.

That is how you're doing something, but I wasn't sure. And then you'd smirk every now and then. So that was my way of saying what's

going on. Laughing about your comment about being allowed to film goalies because, I've also seen some general managers be a little upset at Woody for filming.

I was once yelled at by a head coach who screamed up from the ice, what are you doing? And it was everything in my power not to yell back, recording the worst morning skate I've ever seen.

Isn't that funny? We used to have access to be able to shoot practice, and most practices are still open. And if you're They all are open if you're in the to the media or full fans. In Vegas, fans can come to every every practice or morning skate, and and the cameras are rolling. But you get into the goalie side of it. If there's goalie drills, all of a sudden, people get sensitive about it.

I never do it unless the goalie coach is aware of it or we've had conversation. I built enough relationships around both leagues where I can reach out beforehand. I have learned the hard way through some of those sessions. It it ironically, the head coaches aren't worried about the goalies. They're worried about, like, I'm stealing some, you know, line rush or something.

And it's fair. It's actually fair. I don't mean to make fun of it. It's fair. So I make sure now that in addition to the goalie coaches, I run it through the media relations department so the they're aware that I'm there.

I've had other times where general managers in the American Hockey League come over and asked very politely, and when I explain it and that their goalie coach knows, they're really good about it. It's understandable. Everybody the reality is we're rarely reinventing the wheel. And if there's ever anything that really is proprietary and that different that you don't think it should be shared, I give everyone the opportunity to not share it. But for the most part, goalie coaches understand that this is a good thing for the position in general at large, and they're happy to be a part of it.

It's just a matter of I've learned some hard lessons along the way about making sure you communicate it beyond just the goalie coach so that they don't have their head coaches looking at them going and saying, what the heck is he doing?

And there's not a lot of you around in the American Hockey League that would be a lot of

cameras recording video in the American Hockey League. I don't mind The at the NHL, there's cameras everywhere.

You understand that there's there's a little bit of, oh, what's what's he doing? Oh, what what are they doing?

Well, they know it could be, like, the local team trying to steal something or lines or something. So it's totally fair, and I've learned to manage it. But you're right. It it does Hutch is right. It creates some interesting scenarios.

Sometimes, hey. We've been talking for as long and having so much fun. Have we did we talk at the beginning? You know, I have a tendency short term memory and all too many pucks off the head. Did we talk about the EFlex 7 giveaway?

No. We didn't. We talked

about the EFlex first thing we talked about. Yeah. We did a really good job with that.

Yeah. That's me my fault. Bad host.

Folks, we have a week left to win a set of custom EFlex 7. We will have it all over our socials. It has been already. Make sure you keep an eye out for it. Ingoalmag.com, go to the goalie coach's guide for now.

We might just send out the form directly, but check it out. EFlex 7. Brand new set. Win it from us. Make sure you

enter. And is it true that you've done a you do a new draw every week, and then the last winner is the title holder, but that Maren Dillard is actually the the the person that's gonna get the the EFlex 7 set right now?

It's actually a fun a fun thought aside from the Maren Dillard who's got no hope of winning. Yeah. He's not very secretive with his intentions. But I actually kinda like the idea of drawing a winner every week and making this like a tournament style giveaway. It's far too late now.

We're not gonna change the rules and regulations on this giveaway, but, hey, maybe in the future, we could do something like that. Sort of reward the people that are in on things early.

Qualifiers. Right? And then you put them all in at the, like, eight qualifiers at the end, and you draw

Like, hunger games tournament?

Yes. Let's do that. Well, basically, that's the position anyway. Like, Hunger Games.

Great fun. Maybe I think we get a good idea there, Daren. I've never heard of a giveaway doing things that way before.

Maren Dillard.

You're a smart guy, Maren Dillard. I gotta say, you need to check out this week's EFlex 7 review over on our YouTube channel. It's not enough to just listen to it on the podcast because there was a there was a blocker and there's a matching set behind us that screamed Vegas colors in the new EFlex

You were mentioned by name in the review, Daren.

K. Talk about it at Tendyfest when I'm testing my True pants and my Warrior upper body and my EFlex 7 pads and gloves.

I'll send Hutch down to pick you up.

Okay. Hutch. Terminal 2. Okay?

Absolutely, buddy. We'll be there.

You come off the plane. You can play the slots for a couple of minutes, and then we'll get back on the plane, and we'll go right back.

Oh, I'm flying down to pick you up. When you said Terminal 2, I thought you were thinking Vancouver. Was gonna offer to drive down to the Peace Arch Crossing, and you can walk across, and I'll have the car running for you. But I would like to go down to Vegas.

Car running like it's minus 50 out.

Yeah. I'd love to go down there. I saw an ad saying there's some place you can do dogfighting and fighter jets, so I wanna come down and try that.

Really? Like, fighter jets?

Well, they're I I don't think they're jets.

Or you're a sim?

No. Like, planes.

Really?

Yeah. Don't you have to be a pilot?

You don't. They have a pilot behind you who's sort of I don't know if he's massaging the controls or what, but, yeah, you don't have to be a pilot.

Doing more than that.

That's my, I don't know, sixtieth birthday present or bucket list item or what it is. But

Friend of mine's a a pilot for Alaskan Airlines, former NHL defenseman, Jeff Sharples.

I don't know whether

you guys remember Jeff. Oh. A Western guy, up Prince Rupert Way, and he's a pilot. And we've talked about going to the sim together and just testing it out. He wants me to because I ask him all kinds of questions. I'm a nerd. And he wants to show me just how difficult it can be and how simple it can be at times depending on your day.

I believe there is a sim for one of the large Boeing planes, accessible to the public in Vancouver. Not cheap, but a really cool experience.

I'd rather do the dogfighting in the sky.

100%.

When you first said that, though, I was like, I didn't know this side of Hutch, and, I wasn't pleased with that. But now I'm I'm glad it's just in the sky.

Yeah. I was I was gonna ask if there was a Michael Vick discussion coming, but I'm glad to hear he was talking about fighter jets.

Knock knock. Hey. You're the one that brought it up. Don't blame us.

It's just descending the show as deep as you can.

We InGoal After Dark with Daren Millard and Millard Daren.

Let's let's hope that, that there's no first time listeners. That's the only time I'm ever gonna say this. Let's hope there's no first time listeners to the podcast today because you'll get a totally wrong feel for what we do here. We'll be back tomorrow next

bleep out Woody or anything?

Yet.

I enjoy Woody. I I just enjoy the anger. And we're we're gonna start putting out segments of our podcast, in short form too.

We we did last week.

Just so we can see everybody and what they're doing.

Oh, but not us. That's right.

Yeah. We need us. Like like like

We had doobie out there last week.

Woody's staring two inches from from the camera

and you in the background. Well, Hutch moved his background because he had a naked mannequin behind him before we had to get rid of that.

That was awkward. Enjoy the rest of the day. We'll end it on that note.

Head to toe.

We continue with TendyFest around the the bend on InGoal Radio, the podcast presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley, thehockeyshop.com.