InGoal Radio Episode 333 Drew Commesso

Intro

It's the holidays, and the home office of InGoal Magazine is decorated to the extreme over on Vancouver Island. So much so that, we blew the budget, and, the satellite offices in Vegas and the Lower Mainland were completely ignored. And that forced one of the cofounders of InGoal Magazine to just ditch being at home and and head somewhere else because he was so disappointed. Kevin Woodley is over on Hawaii, and it's Kevin Woodley's day in the minivan. That like, explain where you are right now.

I am in the back of a minivan, Daren. I am it's good though. It's got the stowaway seats. You just fold down one of the one of the middle rows and sit in the back, prop the computer up on the back of the stowaway. And trust me, my friend, there are no complaints about the InGoal offices when you're in Hawaii.

So are are you camping over in Hawaii in the minivan?

No. But I have to I have I guess one still yeah. No. I I have one teenage daughter and and the other one's 21 and neither one of them there's a two hour time difference. So I'm two hours behind you.

We do this in the morning. So it's even earlier in the morning here and we're in a in a smaller condo space, the four of us, so I just decided that this is a little easier than waking them up and listening to them yell at me all day. Never never incur

the wrath. Knock on the door. No.

Well

I would love somebody to knock on the door and go, are you what are you doing in there? David Hutchison is at the home office of InGoal Magazine. Like, you did do a good job of decorating over there.

There's a great job of decorating, but I'm not gonna take much credit for it. There was a bit of a family effort led by Jill, who is part of the InGoal team. So we'll take a little credit there. But, yeah, I I have been occupied with other things. So I I joined in last night for a little tree trimming, but beyond that, all credit due elsewhere.

What's happening over at the, home office, regarding last minute Christmas gifts?

The best and easiest last minute Christmas gift for goalie parents, heck, even if you just wanna buy yourself a present, is a gift subscription to InGoal Magazine. Your kid can be a member of InGoal and get the opportunity to learn from NHL and PWHL goalies and coaches all year long. Just head over to ingoalmag.com. Click on the little promo there for gift subscriptions. You get to fill out a special message that will get delivered to whoever you were giving this gift to.

Oh, you can customize it?

Yeah. You customize a little message and then once you do, there's a couple of downloadable gift certificates as well. So if you want, you download a little PDF and you can rip over to the local office supply place and print it out or just do it at home if you got a nice color printer and then you've got something you can stick under the tree in a stocking wherever you might want to do.

Sounds really efficient.

The gift of goaltending.

Yeah. Well, and I I get a little frustrated sometimes at Christmas, you know, you you get all excited, you buy a gift for somebody and and then it's like, oh, wow, that's great. And then it's over. Whereas the InGoal experience continues for the entire year. You're gonna know every single week that thanks to aunt Susie or uncle Jimmy, the young goaltender is is learning and enjoying their experience with the game.

And you get to spend all year with Hutch and Woody. That's pretty cool.

And Daren We want this to be a positive sales experience.

Hang out with us.

So you're in Hawaii, Woody. Just like oh, ten days after you were in Montreal. You've covered a lot of ground.

I have covered a lot of ground and we had a headwind down here, so it was a longer flight than I'm used to. It was like six plus hours, so poor me suffering Woody in the Hawaiian heat. It's been good.

It's Were you able to get a lot done from your trip in Montreal battling that headwind?

You did. I was actually. As a matter of fact, I did finish and we've launched second part. I actually finished this on the plane and emailed it to Hutch on the plane, and then he went to work for the past two days putting it out at ingoalmag.com and unlocked for all to read as all of our equipment reviews are. We finally finished up the gloves for the Warrior G7, which is gonna dovetail nicely into the Alpha Surge.

They announced the name just just last week that is going to launch with an overview at InGoal Mag on January 1. So we had had a little trouble sort of quantifying why it was that we were getting such high end feedback even from pros about gloves that weren't being worn at the highest levels. Like, we had all these pros telling us there was all this adoration and yet no ad adoption. And Kasimir Kaskisuo kinda unlocked it for us when he sort of showed us how he'd measured the pockets and, you know, it just kinda put some some deeper analysis from a pro that we could add into the review. And so that's all up at ingoalmag.com right now for the Warrior G7 gloves, some of which are gonna carry over.

I can't say too much because you gotta wait till January 1, but some of that is gonna carry over into the new Alpha Surge line with some some some modifications, some changes as well in the new line. So still gotta wait till January 1 to get our overview on that, but a great primer, I think, would be checking out the Warrior G7 glove and blocker review that's up right now. Unlocked for all to read at ingoalmag.com.

Just to clarify, the G7's out right now, and the Alpha Surge is on the way?

January 1 January 1 launch of custom.

Wow. And both are pro level products?

Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I think as a matter of fact, as I think we we we surmise in the review of G7, it wouldn't be surprised if we see it at the highest levels of pro, the new Alpha Surge. Interestingly enough, as we said about Kasimir wearing it in the ECHL for his shutout debut with the Utah grizzlies already being worn at the pro level in North America and a lot more

I love our seat. Gear just pops onto our radar, Hutch. It's it's it's so cool. Stuff that we're we we haven't been watching in the National Hockey League seeing every night and being exposed to that kind of line.

Well, in innovation. Right? That's I think for me, that's the the most enjoyable part of the game. How many times have we talked about the fact that it seems like gear has peaked? Like, what else could you possibly do to make it better?

And yet the innovators, the creators, and all of these companies are coming up with new tweaks every year that make things just a little bit better. And if you do dive into this review of the Warrior gloves, you'll find that they they found a I don't I don't think loophole is is really really the right word because it's it's right there in the regulations for how you design the gear. But they've they've used the regulations for how you design that glove to their advantage and making a tweak that I don't think others have to make a an extra large pocket, shall we say. So I would check out the review, see if you can understand what it is that they've done and why they've done it. And check them out, guys.

Okay. Dumb question. What does an extra large pocket do for a goaltender?

Gives you a much bigger catching surface.

Okay. So that's what it is. It's that that's how it it's not the deeper pockets. It's a piece of it. Lighter.

Bigger. It's bigger. It's it's it it presents bigger, and and you'll hear also from, PWHL goaltender in the review about, more than just it being bigger for catching pucks, but presenting bigger for what the shooters are seeing as well.

It's it's it it presents bigger, and and you'll hear also from, PWHL goaltender in the review about, more than just it being bigger for catching pucks, but presenting bigger for what the shooters are seeing as well.

Outstanding. The InGoal Radio Podcast brought to you by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley, thehockeyshop.com. They must be going a little bit out of their trees right now at the shop right now, moving stuff, like getting orders in last minute opportunities for people topping right now, Woody?

Yeah. I mean, they're helping everybody else put stuff under the tree, I guess. And listen, like, we're past now. By the time you listen to this podcast, we'll be past the date that you can actually have it shipped to you. But if you happen to live in the Lower Mainland or as far South as Seattle, we've seen up in the interior people come down, even as far away as Calgary to get that special item for their young goalie.

Nobody has a bigger inventory than the Hockey Shop Source for Sports. Not only in their nearly 40,000 square foot facility where, like, the actual store, but they've also got off-site storage. That's how much stuff there is, including all the latest, all the greatest, and options in every size. So if you're still looking for something, you can still get there in person for the goalie in your world. Make sure you check them out.

Give them a call. Hockeyshop.com. Hockey Shop Source for Sports in Langley. No better selection. All the latest gear.

And as I said before, our American friends might scratch their head at this one, but Boxing Day, holiday sales are on already, and boxing day sales on past items. So maybe not the current line of gear, but last generation of gear as well as a lot of ProReturn stuff, NHL spec, NHL does designed for NHL or stuff will be on sale big time just after Christmas. So if you didn't get what you want under the tree, check out the hockeyshop.com. Maybe you just have to buy it for yourself.

I think the Gear Segment is a perfect connection to the holidays right now because, we know the big man, needs some help, keeping up those trousers, with the suspenders as he travels around the world. And, you guys are leaning into the Vaughn Goalie specific suspenders right now. What before we get into it, just give me a little bit of a a tease.

Gear

Well, I'm not a suspender guy myself, Daren, as we know. And as we've told the story in the past, that's probably a stupid thing because it once cost me an appendix. But but these suspenders are designed specifically for goaltenders, and they're a first of their kind from our friends over at Vaughn. So with all the details on how they actually work, let's let Cam figure it. He's he's a suspender guy.

He can explain. Cameron, why am I holding Vaughn pants that we've already thought about?

You for a quick moment because we're talking about Vaughn suspenders today.

And I care about Vaughn suspenders because

Cat's goalie specific suspenders seems to be a common theme this year. So now we've got talked about the Warrior ones before.

Hold on. Hold on. I thought they never had them before. They didn't. So that's why we're talking about because it's new.

Yeah. Not because you wanted to go on a little suspender rant for the last couple of weeks, but because it's new.

Come

on. You missed your cue.

Come on. I didn't wanna get a suspension out of it.

Oh, god. Okay. You think we actually scripted that. Believe me. That's actually off the top of his head.

[crosstalk] Folks, welcome back to the Hockey Shop Source for Sports where we have the first ever Vaughn goalie suspenders. Yes. This is new. Yes. Alright.

Okay. Now walk me through what makes it different.

Okay. So Vaughn goalie suspenders. We can actually look at them on the pant here. K. We've used a Vaughn specific pant.

You can use this with any pant. Let's be clear here. Any pants that's got the buttons and then even then if you still had it into an issue, you could technically tie these through if you really, really wanted to. But since these ones have the buttons, we've just shown them nice leather attachment, very durable attachment to be able to pop on. What do you see normally is some of those, like, other spinners and those rubber, tabs.

They tend to sort of, like, split and degrade kind of over time. So, again, switching that into that leather, a nice added durability feature. Now where it comes into goalie specific things is not having those clips on the front of your suspenders. So that's another Oh, because the clips could break. Exactly.

Especially if you're that tuck in guy running those suspenders up and over top, which I do recommend. This keeps all of those buckles away. It actually hides everything, which should be in theory on the back.

Hold on. Does it hide everything or does it hide everything? Just keep going.

And I thought my jokes were bad.

Are you wait wait wait till we play this back and you hear how you said the word everything. Everything. K.

So on the backside, that is where you'll find your adjustments for the actual suspenders itself to tighten them down or loosen them up. The nice large plate so that can be able to see.

I also noticed like the material. This is what we see high wear on on their pads. They've got the high wear material for all this, so it's not gonna get

Pop quiz. What's what's Vaughn's high wear material called?

I don't know because it's so much like Brian's Primo that I get confused. So they're quick slide material.

So they're quick slide material. There we go. That's not sliding anywhere on the back of

But it's high wear. That's why it's there. Yes. Exactly. Which is why I wanted to call it out, Cameron.

So again, large anchor point in the back itself. Two, you could actually leave it on, be able to take it off super easy if you really wanted to. Again, depending on how you're putting on your gear, it's really up to you.

Cam, I got a couple of things over here that look like they belong to this.

[crosstalk] So furthermore, there's two. There is two. So say I was running those suspenders over top of my chest protector and I wanted to anchor them over top of my shoulder floaters for whatever reason and I don't want it to bring down that chest a little bit more, I could be able to pop that on as well. Afterwards, you'll be to hold that suspender down and anchor it a bit better.

And if you do it properly Yeah. I was like, Cam, you'll actually

see the Vaughn logo. Show them all of you.

So I'm not gonna get into why I would wanna pull my chest protector down, but I guess mobility neck.

You know what?

If you were Some people like it. Some people like it.

You were having some issues in terms of being able to back out of the driveway, turn your head, especially on any post integration or anything like that, and you found that your shoulder floaters were in the way. This is a way to kinda pull them down, but you are technically reducing your overall presence in terms of size.

But I never backed out of the driveway while wearing a chest protector, but that's good to

know, Cam. I'd fix the same on video one.

Okay. If you got any questions, good accessory, new one from Vaughn, integrates with their pants with other pants as Cam mentioned, especially if it's got the buckles. Where can they get you for questions?

Sorry. Was leaving us in suspense there.

Just finished the video.

604 589-8299 or 1-800-567-7790.

In hearing that then, Woody, will you consider strapping on the suspenders?

I have been meaning to. Cam sort of set me up and showed me how to use it. Cam's very good at suspender setups. I I have always struggled, Daren. I mean, let's be honest.

I'm a guy who likes to cheat out there. Anything I can do to make myself look bigger. So the idea of attaching anything that sort of keeps things down from my chest protector has never appealed to me. But I will say Cam set me up one day in the Hockey Shop. We went through the whole thing and it felt so connected that I can see the value.

And, you know, especially if you're a goalie who's having a little trouble, and I don't have this trouble with the way I've got my stuff set up. But if you are a goalie that's having a little trouble with sort of the chin of your mask and the shoulder floaters or the neck of your chest protector interference, like you're trying to look around and it's getting caught up, like a suspender can help sort of hold that chest portion in place so you don't have that. So there's definitely value there. I've just been a little slow to adopt, but I promise Cam. It's like listen.

This is not our New Year's episode, but I am making a New Year's resolution right here on the spot ahead of Christmas. I am going to try suspenders and give it an earnest shot. We're not going dangler yet, Daren, but I'm gonna give suspenders an earnest shot in 2026. And you tuck. Correct?

I don't tuck. Oh, you don't tuck. It's part of the challenge. But I did like he got me set up in a way that felt good. And again, the stupidity of not tucking, given my history and and and the bizarre injury it includes with an exposed appendix from a chest protector as I counter rotated like crazy moving one way and the pants the other way.

Like, it's absurd that I don't tuck. It's absurd that I don't have a suspender. But I think we've already established and by episode 333 that I am not the brightest light bulb on the ceiling.

But you did connect with a great dude in Drew Commesso. We've got the NHL Sense Arena feature interview coming up, and this is a fantastic conversation.

Yeah. No. I can't wait till we get to this. A great tease. He is Daren, I sent the text message to both of you afterwards.

I remember Daren sort of becoming a Jeremy Swayman fan based off an interview we did with him before he really arrived in the NHL. Trust me, folks. This is gonna be a similar type of thing. He is a goalie's goalie. Right?

Like, he he's like us. He's like you, folks. If you're passionate about the position, no stone unturned, always looking for advantages on and off the ice, Drew Commesso was an interview you are not gonna wanna miss because he is he is just like that. It was it was a good one.

The comparison to Jeremy Swayman hooked me right away, and I couldn't wait to to listen to it. That's fantastic. Hope everybody enjoys it. Vizual Edge ProReads connecting with thanks to our friends at Visual Edge.

Yeah. Listen. Easy for you to say, Daren. I'm just gonna go with UPL. He was awesome in this week's ProReads.

Got a chance, went down to Seattle, buzzed down to Seattle, had a quick couple of ProReads with him, a quick couple of ProReads returning guest, Lyon, that we'll have up on the website soon. But, of course, ProReads is presented, as you mentioned, by Vizual Edge. Do you want the puck to look like a beach ball? Every goalie has that night here and there where the puck looks huge. You're ahead of every play.

You feel the calm, patient, and you're in total control. Then there are the nights where you're half step late. You see it, but you don't really see it. You're reaching, you're guessing, you're fighting it. That's not your technique.

That's your eyes and your brain not processing the play fast enough. Vizual Edge fixes that. It measures how well your eyes track and process the game then gives you a custom plan that trains improvement. Three fifteen minute sessions a week on your laptop or tablet, Anywhere you can access those things is all it takes. It's what NHL goalies use to make the game slow down when it matters most.

Remember, you get a code. Anybody can get a code to save 10%, I n g o a l, InGoal, all caps. If you're a member to InGoal premium, check out a ProReads for a member specific code to double your discount. Now make sure you check it out at ProReads, and this week's ProReads is definitely worth checking out because we mentioned UPL, he walks us through a flash screen off the rush. We've done a lot of static screens or in zone screens where that where sorry.

I shouldn't say static, but flash screens in zone where it's settled play and you're sort of five on five guys moving around in a pattern and that you see that screen coming through. This one was off the rush, and so a little bit of a different situation. And so how do you process that? What's important? Is short side still the predominant sight line you choose?

When do you shift? How much do you shift? When do you give up eyes as that screen comes through? Why does the handedness or does the handedness and the wing that the shooter is coming down matter? Should you set up on the puck or you set up on the body of the puck carrier?

UPL gives us all the cues and clues in this week's ProReads and some of them might surprise you including that last one I asked about setting up on the puck or setting up on the body depending on which way the play is moving. It was a great quick breakdown by UPL that'll help you make more saves when you're presented with the same situation in a game.

Great. Because that's one of my foundations is making sure I'm aligned with the puck. And now you're telling me that I might have to alter that?

Well, I don't know if I have to alter it in beer league because they don't shoot the same. But kids these days and the NHL is that you're facing, Daren, where they hold the puck coming down the wing and ultimately where they shoot from tend to be two different places. So UPL aligning himself a little more with the body knowing that that puck has to come back into the feet based on the way this guy is skating down the wing before he can get the release. And then you add that with a screen moving one way and this guy cutting back the other way and it all starts to make sense. So make sure you check out this week's ProReads.

It's some great tips from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

And that code for Vizual Edge is InGoal? InGoal, if you're a

non member, INGOAL, all caps. But if you are a member, I'm not gonna give up the code here because it requires your membership. Just go to any ProReads on ingoalmag.com, and all the ProReads, if you're logged in as a member, have the extra discount code.

Parent Playbook

Slide over to our parent segment brought to you by Stop It Goaltending U the app. Hutch is standing by. Stop It Goaltending U the app, a great partner with InGoal Radio, the podcast.

Yeah. How about adding twenty five years of NHL goalie coaching experience at your fingertips on your phone or your tablet? Wanna tap into goalie parenting expertise that helped Joey Daccord reach the NHL? That's what you get with a subscription to Stop It Goaltending U, the app. All the knowledge from Brian Daccord has been an NHL goalie coach, scout, and director, as well as all the insights and expertise from his staff at Stop It, which last year celebrated twenty five years as one of the world's top goalie schools and includes a list of teachers that has veteran NCAA coaches on it.

All delivered in an easy to digest chunks, including five short daily primers each week, weekly style analysis and breakdown videos, and drills you can take onto the ice with your team and coach. Plus, you get an InGoal mag premium subscription included. So check it out now at the App Store or Google Play and get the best of both worlds versus a subscription to Stop It Goal Tending U the app and included a subscription to InGoal Magazine Premium.

Happy holidays, Hutch.

Thank you and to you, Daren. This week, I wanted to chat about some creative Christmas gift ideas and, and maybe even some that are a little bit more affordable. Well, definitely some that are a little bit more affordable. Because, look, there's a lot of pressure on goalie parents right now. We see NHL goalies with multiple sets of gear every year, multiple masks, special event setups that might only see the ice once, sometimes not even at all.

And it trickles down to minor hockey, us all getting that FOMO, the fear of missing out and wanting to give our kids everything. So I wanna say something this week very clearly. Christmas for your goalie can be special without costing an arm and a leg. And in many cases, it's more meaningful when the focus is on the experience and not the features. So here's a few ideas.

Used gear. It is totally okay. Used pads will still stop pucks. Used gloves still build confidence, and sometimes that first set of their own gear, even if it's secondhand, means more than brand new gear ever could. Maybe it matches the team colors.

Maybe it looks like something one of their idols wears. The story around it is what matters. Guys, I've sold used gear before, and when the kid comes along with mom or dad to pick it up from us, the smile on their faces is every bit as big, if not bigger, than when a brand new custom set arrives for a goalie. Trust me. Another affordable option is a helmet wrap instead of a paint job.

From 30 feet away in the stands for under a $100, they look every good as a actual paint job, But here's a way you can make it even more exciting. Take the time to pick it out together. Take the time to apply it together. Yes, mom or dad, you could put it on the helmet faster on your own for sure. But if you can find a way to do it with your son or daughter together, it will turn it into a memory.

Look, maybe they're five or six years old and all they can do is open the package and tell you which piece to put on next or maybe they can actually do it themselves. But doing it together makes it an experience. You could even maybe give them a gift certificate for the helmet wrap only and then together you can sit down and go through the website and, come up with the right design for them just to make it part of the experience. How about homemade helmet art, guys? One of my best memories ever is when my father did a homemade helmet design.

Just some plain vinyl, an exacto knife, nothing fancy. This was the nineteen seventies. Nobody had painted helmets then. And I say helmet, Daren, because I'm talking about the old Cooper SK 600. The helmet and the cage.

Nobody had them painted, but my dad went out and got some vinyl and he stick it up in a custom way for me and I knew how much effort went into it. So here I am enjoying that experience here today, forty five years later or whatever it is. I did the same thing for our kid years later twice. One of them still, in fact, on the on the shelf right beside me, stickering up in a bucket just for him. It's a memory that will last longer than the gear.

How about tickets to a game, but you make it an event? Junior hockey games are perfect for this. Get them some tickets, take them to a game. But it isn't just the tickets that are the gift. It's the night together.

Go early. Stand behind the net for the warm up. Track pucks together. Sit somewhere they can really watch the goalie. Ask questions of them during the game.

What did you notice? Why did they go down there? Why did they not go down there? And, yes, concessions at games even at the junior level can be expensive, so make that an experience too. Prep the snacks together.

Talk about what you're gonna take. Show up with something better than an overpriced hot dog. And I don't mean buy some snacks and pull them out of a bag and hand them to the kid when their friend goes off to concession. If you plan and make them together, they're going to look forward to that experience. The point isn't saving money.

It's being included together in the experience. How about hockey cards? Common thing to give at Christmas. You buy a pack of cards, you stick them in the stocking. Quick and easy.

But guess what? They pull them out. They open them. They toss them in the pile with all their other cards. And that moment is gone and forgotten.

How about hunting together for cards? Scroll on Facebook marketplace together. Whether it's the excitement of finding one special card out there in the community, maybe selling off a large box of cards for cheap. I've done that before. At least I bought them that way before.

There's no rush. Just enjoy the time together. Or maybe take your kid to a local card shop with a budget. This could be another gift certificate opportunity for you. What's better?

10 random cards from a pack that you picked up at Walmart or one special card that you went to a store and found on display together? I went on eBay one year, guys, and I found cards of some junior goalies that our kid liked and, some that he'd even skated with. Those cards were appreciated way more than any NHL card. And while that's maybe not an experience, so to speak, they built on the experience of their relationship with those young goalies. Those are often mean way more than, than one from the biggest NHL star of the moment because it's connected to their world.

How about over the holidays? Go to stick and puck together. If you're a mom or dad who has never played hockey before, rent some skates and lace up anyway. Get out there. That alone would be a gift for your kid.

I promise you. How about get them a player stick, even a used one? Maybe even try a different hand. Shout out to Angelo Maggio of Magic Goal Tending who told me to get my kid a left handed player stick. He shoots regularly right handed.

When he was about seven years old, he was going to Angelo and Angelo said he's going to have to shoot left as a goalie, but get him a left handed player stick and let him mess around with that. And reminder to everybody when Joey Daccord told us he really believes that his time as a young goalie with a player stick that he was strong enough to handle helped him become one of the best puck handlers with a goalie stick in the game. Another experience you could have together is tape jobs. Make it an experience. Google images of goalies they like.

See who they like, how they do their sticks, what they like about it, and then work together to replicate that tape job or go out and grab some colored grip tape, some new stick tape and experiment together. Try them together, mess them up, rip them off, try again. Tape is relatively cheap, but curiosity and creativity are priceless. Last one I think here, guys, books and stories are a great shared time. Go out and get a goalie book, get a goaltending story, maybe even an audiobook for the car that you listen to on the way to, on the way to your games or practices.

Go through a chapter a day. Talk about it. Let it be a slow experience. I promise it's going to be a much better experience than just handing them an expensive gift and walking away. There's one thing I want you to take away this week.

It's this. The most meaningful gifts are not things, they are moments. And they don't have to be expensive moments to be unforgettable. Everybody else out there, what are your thoughts? Do you have some more suggestions that we could offer to people for great memories, great experiences and affordable gifts?

Any experiences you've had, either that you've given to a child or received from one of your parents, I would love to hear from you. Podcast at ingoalmag.com.

Well said.

Found myself getting a little emotional in that. There there are some really cool bonding opportunities there.

And if I may add a shameless plug to those bonding opportunities that had us emotional, Custom cages, Google that if you're looking for the deckle kits. Our friend Basil over there doesn't sell full wraps online. That's sort of just for for friends and family so to speak, but they do pretty much close to the next best thing. All kinds of different customized stencils. You can add your logo to it and as Hutch said, at a very reasonable cost compared to what everyone else does.

So he does an he does awesome work and it is it is a bit of work. Maybe make sure the arts and crafts is is something you have in your back pocket before you try that one with your let's just say that uncle Woody would not be the guy to apply decals with the young child's goalie mask without some degree of frustration, but everybody else could.

I can't believe more people don't do wraps, to be totally blunt with you guys. They look great. I have a couple and and the the cost difference is extraordinary.

And not not just cost. I mean, it's hard to get time with a painter these days. They are so busy between all the things they're doing for junior and pro teams. You've got a long long way ahead of you quite often to get a decent paint job, whereas you can have those stickers applied really quickly.

I would like to design stickers for Woody. Can I do your next mask?

You wanna you wanna design mine? Yeah. You can, Daren. You you absolutely can. Do you know that I haven't had a mask with art on it in about five years?

So it's time, Daren. Get on that.

Alright. We'll start with the woodpecker and then we'll

that will My be my first yeah. My my first painted mask was Woody Woodpecker. On one side, he was wearing vintage goalie gear, making saves. And on the other side, it was Woody Woodpecker is the famous Jacques Plante image, holding up the mask with the bloodied face. That that was that was the two sides of Woody Woodpecker.

And appropriately, it was all done over the top of the mask was a skull with a massive fracture that was sewn together with the like like like like a metal a metal thread, basically, holding it all together. So I feel like that was also appropriate at the time.

Did you have a favorite bailing wire. Out of your list there, Hutch?

A favorite you mean of those items or are we talking paint jobs?

Those items.

I mean for yeah. I mean for me it was actually doing the custom vinyl myself. First as I said, what my dad did for me, I'd never seen before and I knew the time it took and then, taking that time to do it for myself. I literally went to the local art supply store and I found a sheet, maybe three sheets of vinyl in the different colors that my kids team used and then I stenciled it on paper and I cut them and I applied them and yeah, for me it was reminiscing about times that I'd had before. And, and if you haven't been through something like that, I promise you're going to plant a seed that your son or daughter will remember, you know, twenty, thirty years down the road when when they get to return the favor.

If I could add one, and I didn't didn't pop into my head right away till we were just talking about it, and at the risk of making this another episode, he's been a featured guest of late and and making this one about him as well. But Kasimir Kaskisuo, the mask he's wearing in the ECHL is one he painted himself, and he's got a great how to on his on his social media, I believe on his YouTube page, sort of walking you through

He did it himself?

He did that himself, and he sorta he did the whole process, like the cutting and the stenciling. And if you're patient and you have a little bit of artistics, it is something you could do, and it would be a really cool project to do with a parent. Yeah. So, like, yeah, there's there's there's lots of great resources out there that can help you do that, you know, and again, shameless plug, but I find myself having reinvested in his content. He does a really, really great job after meeting catching up with Montreal, and and that was one that jumped out to me is like, hey.

This this, you know, Hutch, you you sort of brought those worlds together for me as you were talking about that. It's I I can imagine a young goalie doing that with a parent and how special that time together would be, whether it's a stencil or taking it to the next step and painting it yourself. It's pretty pretty cool stuff.

I also loved your idea of going to a game and making an event with your child and standing behind the net for warm up and the snacks and the conversation and the the car ride. Maybe maybe you have to go an hour or so, and you've got that discussion on the way. That that brings back memories.

Well, and and and another tease for our feature interview, but Drew Commesso was inspired by sitting behind the net. Now he was blessed enough to have in his family Boston Bruins tickets, but as you're gonna hear from him, his origins and roots that will ultimately lead to the NHL were watching from behind the net as Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask were on the big stage. So you can see the game from a different perspective back there. And and when he talks about it in this upcoming feature interview, folks, you'll hear how much of an experience that and how that inspired him. Doesn't have to be the NHL as Hutch said, but it just sitting back there and investing that time to go early and watch that process could really light a spark for your young goalie.

Feature Interview - Drew Commesso

Well, let's slide over to the NHL Sense Arena feature interview table and, discuss things with Drew Commesso. So, thanks to our friends at NHL Sense Arena.

Yeah. And every week, NHL Sense Arena presents our feature interview. We're very thankful to them for doing that. Wanna remind everybody that great goaltending is not just about movements. It's about decision making.

It's about reading the release. It's about managing traffic, tracking rebounds, staying composed as the play evolves, and it all starts with how well your brain is trained. That's where NHL Sense Arena's Hockey IQ at home checklists really stand out. They give goalies clear structured routines that guide your mental training for predicting plays, anticipating shots, scanning the ice, and making better decisions under pressure. Short weekly sessions will remove the guesswork and help build habits that translate directly to your game performance.

So you can download those resources from sensearena.com. They also offer a Hockey IQ hub there now as well. It's a free resource with articles, insights, tools for players, parents, and coaches who want to better understand and train the mental side of the game. You can explore the hub, download the checklist, as I said, at sensearena.com. And if you're thinking about a meaningful hockey gift this holiday season, probably not going to arrive before the twenty fifth, but you can still get NHL Sense Arena with a 50% off annual plan holiday sale.

It's a training experience that will last all year, not something that just ends up tossed in the year bag or over in the corner. You can use the code IGM 50 at checkout to take advantage of even more savings on their great holiday deal this year.

I was gonna say and if you happen to have if you already have the headset, if you've already got a VR headset in your house, you can access the training and purchase that as a gift right up to the last minute. It's a pretty easy process. So our featured guest this week is also somebody, and not surprising given he went to Boston University where Brian Decord was the goalie coach at the time, but he's also an NHL Sense Arena user, Daren.

Now Drew is fascinating. I'm aware of him, high draft pick, second rounder, few years ago, by Chicago, but you look through his bio and he's played in the National Hockey League. He's been an Olympian. He's played in the world championship. Like, he's checked a lot of boxes.

And he's and he's 23 years old. And I think when you listen to this interview, you're gonna understand quickly why he's been able to check all those boxes and why it's only a matter of time before he checks the last one full time. Just a guy, you know, I've used that phrase a lot, no stone unturned.

There are guys that we run into that sort of are constantly looking for new things and and I think it's a positive. Tools in the toolbox, we always talk about. But you can sort of fall victim to seeking change for the sake of change sometimes. Right? Like, just always looking for the next thing.

There's a purposeful nature in the way Drew thinks about the game that leads me to believe that's not going to be an issue, that he finds his foundational items and sticks with them without abandoning the search for new ideas, that openness, that willingness. So we get into all of it. There's a whole bunch of different things. The relationship with Jeremy Swayman, not as I teased you, Daren, it's not just that he reminds me of that first ever sort of get to know you with Jeremy. There's a relationship there between the two that's been developed through USA Hockey in sort of a mentor role for Jeremy that was really cool to hear about as well.

So this is a goalie's goalie, and I think everybody's gonna love this interview with Drew Commesso. I'm pretty confident it's not gonna be our last time we have him on the show.

Enjoy it. The NHL Sense Arena feature interview on InGoal Radio, the podcast with Drew Commesso.

Really excited to welcome to the InGoal Radio Podcast. First time guest. I'm hoping it's it's gonna be many more appearances after this. I think it's gonna be. I think everybody's gonna like this interview because I've been doing a little research, and Drew Commesso is our kind of goalie.

He's a guy that studies the position, loves the position. And I guess I'll start, Drew, by asking you where that started. Like, where did this passion for it get its roots?

It's it started at a young age, honestly. I think, like, a lot of goalies that started playing, I kinda started off as a forward, and I was playing for our town team as well as the local club team. And our club team didn't only had one goalie, and our other goalie was missing some time. And, you know, that's a that's a problem when you only have one goal in the net. So I started playing, started loving it, and then really once once I got, like, my first set of pads and and helmeted, I just really wanted to stick with it.

And the big thing for me was always staying on the ice. Like, I I hated sitting on the bench in between shifts, and I just loved always being out there. And kinda from there, it just took over, and I guess the rest is history. But I'm I'm very glad I made that decision.

What age are we talking here? Like, first set of pads, first glove. Is a gear a part of it? Like, are you a gear guy too? My guess is yes, but even some of the guys that are passionate goalie guys aren't gear guys.

Not everyone is.

Yeah. I'm it's funny. I'm I'm definitely a gear guy, and that that is a focal point of why I love the position was was mainly the helmets. The helmets were, like, so so cool to me, and I really wanted to have my own, like, unique one that was awesome. And I guess that passion's kinda stuck with me.

I still love gear. And, you know, all my goalie partners and I, like, we're always chopping it up about gear and and things like that. And I think it's just one of the best parts of our job, right, is is, you know, we look different than everybody else. And, it's just it's it's really cool to to be fascinated and, you know, have so many great companies that come out with with amazing pieces.

Are you so are you a guy that likes to try different things? Like, I know you're a Bauer guy right now. Like, they're they're, you know, they're a company that innovates like crazy. Have you enjoyed being part of that process?

Yeah. I love, yeah, I love being with Bauer. I couldn't be happier. They they treat me exceptionally well. And, yeah, yeah, it's it's been phenomenal.

Really, I've I've been with Bauer since, so I was playing at The US program for juniors is when I first switched over to them. And it's been really cool to see them, you know, innovate a lot of their gear. And I think being with them now for five or six years, just seeing the innovations they've made from, you know, I still remember meeting with them and telling me about the connect skate, like, two years before came out and the concept of having no laces, you know, sounded like it was coming from from Mars. And I thought it was just it was so cool. And, yeah, just to see them kinda always innovate and to be able just have input on some of that stuff has been really fun to see.

And it's been really cool just to kinda see everything come together, and, I'm very happy with them.

You mentioned playing at the US national team development program. Obviously, I didn't mention it, but everybody will know by the time we do an intro here. Draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks. Did you have a guy growing up? Like, where was was there a guy you either just were a fan of as a young goalie or a point where you hit where you're trying to emulate guys where you're where you're sorta not just watching because you like them, but looking for things that they do?

Yeah. So I was super fortunate growing up. I we had season tickets to the Bruins probably three rows behind the net. So when they were when they had the team in 2011, kind of that team that was always really good. Loved watching Tim Thomas.

Like, that was my first goalie that I kind of fell in love with watching. I was just such a huge fan of him. And, like, I I even remember, like, seeing, like, what he was wearing, and, like, I wanted to wear, like, off ice stuff like him. Like, I wanted to do everything like him. I had his street hockey pads.

Like, just massive fan of him. And then as I kinda got a little bit older, more like, you know, 10, 11 where I kinda started to actually understand the position is is kinda right when Tuukka Rask started playing. And he was the first goalie that I really kinda started to emulate and and just, like, watch how he plays more than just, you know, being a fan of them. So those two guys were had a big influence on me because I was a huge Bruins fan growing up, and I was pretty spoiled with with two great goaltenders who had, you know, kind of polar opposite styles and just way of going about their life and the game. So it was it was really cool, and I was fortunate to have, you know, some great goalies to watch growing up.

Oh, like silky smooth Tuukka and then, like, battle fight Tim Thomas. That was, you know, that was kinda when we got going too around 2010, 2011. I mean, that point of view from behind the net as a goaltender to watch those two go out, like, does that influence you at all today, like, in terms of how you like to watch film? Like, that perspective being behind the net and sort of seeing the game come at them. I imagine even even at such a young age would probably be pretty valuable.

Absolutely was. And, yeah, I think, as a young kid, like, you know, I wasn't doing video and, you know, I I don't think I got, you know, recordings of my games until I was in high school. So for me to be able to go and watch, you know, goalies that close and I I, you know, I remember that, you know, before every season, my dad, you know, we split the season tickets between, you know, my uncle and a few of his friends. And I'd always, you know, request the games where, you know, there's other, like, cool goalies coming in. So getting to watch kinda like Lundqvist too, and I'd kinda go off of that of seeing who's down the other end, like, kinda just picking goalie matchups so I could care less about the team.

So that was obviously really cool for me. And, yeah, just to watch them up close, it's just it's something I still like doing today. Like, even even when I'm not playing and, you know, at the level I'm at now, like, I think it's just really cool watching guys up close and seeing how different everyone plays, and I think it's it's really valuable for any goalie at at any age or level.

So that was obviously really cool for me. And, yeah, just to watch them up close, it's just it's something I still like doing today. Like, even even when I'm not playing and, you know, at the level I'm at now, like, I think it's just really cool watching guys up close and seeing how different everyone plays, and I think it's it's really valuable for any goalie at at any age or level.

Okay. So that is a great takeaway. Do you watch a lot on TV? Do you get a I mean, I'm guessing it's almost impossible to find live games given how busy your schedule is with Rockford, But we hear a lot from goalie coaches, like, really high end goalie coaches right up the NHL. They don't think kids watch enough hockey.

They watch highlights, but they don't watch enough sorta the patterns of the game. And it sounds like you're still watching, still looking for those things even even as a pro.

Absolutely. Yeah. I I mean, as as recent as today, we had a conversation. I've been been working a lot on my slides and recoveries, and, you know, I was just talking how, you know, we've we've really been focusing lately know, just watching how a lot of, like, one timers, especially in the NHL, like, it's the game is so fast, and a lot of the the quick shots, they're just getting back to the middle of the net. So for me, just watching games, even, like, nothing plays, but just seeing, like, how much of the pucks go back to the net when you're sliding is it's been important for me to see.

And, yeah, I think there's definitely a balance. You know? I think everybody's different. You know, you look at a guy like one of my bud buddy Spencer Knight. Like, he doesn't like watching a lot of hockey, which is great.

Like, I've taken a little bit from him too, and and some guys like watching as much as they can. So everyone's different. You know, for me, I I like watching specific goalies. I watch a lot of rangers games. For me, is like a great guy for me to watch.

I like watching Swayman. We're we're really close off the ice and just growing up with Bruins fan. I'm I'm used to watching the Bruins. So those are two guys I like watching, but there's absolutely a balance, I think. You know, as a kid growing up, you don't wanna be, you know, just glued to hockey all the time.

Right? Like, you you wanna be hanging out with your buddies, you know, playing lacrosse. I think that's that's really valuable too.

Oh, that's a great takeaway. Didn't mean yeah. I should be careful not to get kids glued in front of the TV twenty four seven, focused on hockey all the time. You you mentioned lacrosse. Were there were were other sports a part of you growing up?

Did you stick with other sports even as goaltending and hockey became the main one?

Absolutely. I I grew up playing as much as I could, and I I I'm so so so grateful that I did. I I think I learned a lot from other sports and playing other positions too. I played soccer, baseball, lacrosse. I still play golf all the time.

Yeah. I think it's just it's so good to have a balance just outside of hockey. Right? Like, I think when you look at it, we're super grateful and, you know, lucky to do this as our job. And but at the same time, like, we're still people, and it's good to have other things to look forward to as well.

And, you know, I I think part of the reason, you know, my glove was was so good as a kid growing growing up was because I played baseball. I was throwing balls every day and and tracking, so it could definitely benefit, you know, everyone.

So I, like, I still really enjoy playing playing golf, and I I keep up with, like, ton of other sports. And, yeah, I think it's especially growing up, just kids just getting, you different fundamentals. And, you know, I I think part of the reason, you know, my glove was was so good as a kid growing growing up was because I played baseball. Like, I was I was throwing balls every day and and tracking, so it could definitely benefit, you know, everyone.

Okay. Before we move, I got a whole bunch of things I wanna ask you. But speaking of the glove, I noticed you wear a glove under the glove.

I do. Yeah. That started that started two years ago where, you know, my first year pro, I I learned so much. Like, it's just it's such such a different world than college in in so many ways. And one of those ways was just how many games that you play.

And I just found that, you know, I was sweating a lot more than I had used to. The game's a little bit faster, and, you know, you're just playing so much. And I I I like my gloves to feel really connected to my hands. I feel like when they're wiggling around a little bit, I I feel like I can kind of feel that when I'm moving, and I I just I like them really connected. I know Lundqvist was kind of the first guy to start doing that.

And then, yeah, I kind of fiddled around with I actually wear baseball gloves funny funny enough. So I fiddled around with a diff few different brands, and then I found one that I really liked. We were getting we're actually getting some gloves from the Cubs from from their players, which was which was pretty funny. And then I found you know, I started playing playing well in a certain set of them. So I think our equipment guys just ordered, like, 50 of the the white Marucci's that I've been wearing.

So I've been sticking with those, but, yeah, it's just really a feel thing for me.

Okay. So and and then obviously not I was gonna ask you, like, we see now for some goal, especially practice, and, like, they'll they'll they'll get a padded inner glove, like a padded baseball glove in or on the hands. But I'm guessing if you like that connection, yours is pretty much just straight leather.

Yes. Straight leather. Yeah. And I actually I actually, yeah, filled around with, like, a few once I found the model I liked, I started kinda switching out the palm feeling of it. So some of them had, like, attack.

I'd kinda compare it to, a player stick grips. Like, there's different kind of grips. And I guess it's pretty similar with with baseball gloves as well. So I messed around with a few, and now I have it pretty dialed in where I just I I know what I want. I know what I like.

We just keep reordering those. But, yeah, there's they have ones with padding, but for me, it's it's just a feel thing. Like, I I wasn't getting a ton of stingers, so, you know, I just liked it a little more connected.

So I wanna talk about influences along the way. We've talked about inspirations, and and I know there's some of the guys I wanna ask about the relationship with Swayman that you've built, some of the other guys you've had a chance to be on the ice with. But what about from a coaching perspective? Who were some of the early influences? I know you're with Matt Smith now, in the Chicago Blackhawk system in Rockford, and I've seen his work out of Ontario, and we're big fans of guys like Jack.

There's so many guys that he works with at a really high end level. Who you know, between that, as you're as you're coming up, who were some of the different influences along the way at BU and and different stops?

Yeah. I've been super blessed. I I've I've been in some fantastic programs and organizations. When I'm at home, I've had the same goal I coached my whole life, Brian Eklund, who has had such a tremendous impact on my career and my life. I I can't say enough good things about him.

We still text, you know, weekly. And he's with the devil's organization now. It's it's actually funny because Matt Smith, my goalie coach here in Chicago, one of his clients is Nico Daws, who Brian coaches. They kind of flip flop. So they're always in touch, which is cool.

So Brian was really my first goal to coach. I think I started going to him right when he started his business when I was, like, eight or nine, and I'm still going there. So it's been been really cool to kinda come up with him. And then when I went to the US program, had Thomas Speer, who who I believe is with Calgary now. San Jose?

He San Jose. That's right. San Jose. Yes. With San Jose now.

So he's been he was amazing too. Like, he taught me so much. And he was he was such a good guy at at a vulnerable time in my career. Right? Like, I just moved away from home.

I was living like, first time living alone in The US program. That's a lot. Like, it's it's really demanding, and it's it's a completely different life than everyone's used to. Him, like, being a backbone for me there was was amazing. And then I had Brian Daccord who runs Stop It Goaltending at Boston University.

And he was amazing in so many ways. Like, we a lot of cool drills, and he's one of the goalie coaches that really thinks outside of the box. And, you know, I think if if you weren't a a goalie and you kind of just popped your head in the rink and saw Brian and I working together, you'd kinda scratch your head. Like, what are these clowns doing? Like, a lot of the drills we do aren't aren't necessarily, like, goalie drills.

Like, we'll be skating around on one leg, like, jumping over our stick, things like that. But that really helped me, you know, a lot with working with the court. And then, obviously, now with Matt Smith, I've been working with in Rockford and then Jimmy Waite in Chicago. They've both been incredible to me. I think Matt's probably the most detail oriented coach I've ever had, and he's helped me so much.

And, yeah, I'll say his his biggest you know, the best thing about him is he can recognize things about my game that I I don't even recognize. And I think that's so big, and we've had a great relationship now last, you know, two, three years. And, yeah, the impact he's had on my career has has been amazing. I owe so much to him and and all my goalie coaches. You know, I've I've had a plethora of just amazing guys, so I've been able to to pick a little bit of of each of them.

Wow. Okay. So two, like, wows there. Like, first, you worked plethora into it. So as the the writer in me is very

that that's what Yeah. That's that's that's some of the first education right there.

And then the other one is, like, that is a who's who. Right? Like, some great names. As you move around to different voices, like, how's what have the foundations of your game become? Because you you know, everybody has different ideas, and you're probably taking different things away.

We know Thomas Speer really well. Like, Brian Eklund, we've had on the podcast. Obviously, Brian Daccord with all like, the and and Matt Smith too. Like, those are some those are some who's who of goaltending coaching, then they probably all have slightly different takeaways or ideas. How do you how do you sort of develop your foundation?

What are your anchors at this point in your career through all those experiences and influences?

It's been really cool because I started working with all them in really different points in my life, and I think that each of them had an equal part of developing. And I think working with Brian, I started working with him when, like I said, I was eight or nine. So he really taught me everything I know about the position and how to play it, to be honest with you. He was my goalie coach. You know, he still is.

You know? I I skate with him every single summer multiple times a week. I'll be seeing him when I go in for a Christmas break. So, yeah, he he's taught me so much. And then really, of just, like, the fundamentals and, you know, now it's, like, kind of about keeping my game sharp when I'm with him in the summertime.

And then, yeah, Thomas Speer was was my first goalie coach that, you know, that was the first year where you start playing against men and, you know, the jump from playing prep prep school hockey to playing against d one in in under a year is it's a lot. And so, yeah, he taught me a lot about just skating and, like, efficiency because that was kind of the biggest jump for me was, you know, the game's way faster. And, you know, I'm really used to playing against guys that are that much older than you. And then, yeah, working with Brian Decord, he was really he was also very, like, detail oriented where once you get to, like, kind of that level of playing at division division one and, you know, he he did a good job of handling it. Usually, when I when I was at BU, it was it was it was really tough to, like, get into a rhythm because one year, we had world juniors, and then I was away for over a month at the Olympics.

So, like, for him, teaching me was a lot of just making sure my game was feeling good at all times and, you know, kinda tweaking things. And then, yeah, working with Smitty, he's kind of approached it in a different way, which is good. It's all about kinda development. And I would say the first, you know, one or two years, we were just tweaking a lot of things like movement. We're switching a lot of things, seeing what works well.

And, you know, kinda now we've worked on a lot of that stuff, and it's been really ingrained in my game. And, you know, now it's just about the little things of you know, when you look at the NHL goalies, like, there's such a small difference of, you know, guy everyone could stop the puck. You know, everyone's good at skating. Everyone's really good in a lot of that areas. So, you know, working with him now, it's it's been about, you know, pushing those those little limits and the little things that's been making a great difference.

Where how would you describe your game? It's a tough question to ask, guys, and I'm sorry to put you on the spot like that. But what you know, like, where are the what's your baseline? What's your what's your go what do you go back to when maybe things drift like this is my anchor?

Yeah. That's a great question. I would say the strongest part of my game is is is gotta be, like, my men my mental play and, like, my my reads of the game. And I found that I've been really improving on that lately, and I think it's such a a good skill to have, especially in the NHL with the guys that are so skilled and, you know, kinda reading the play away from the play, if that makes sense. Like, that's something I've been working on a lot.

But, yeah, I've I I very I like to think I'm, like, very calm and and efficient. Like, don't like a lot of extra movements, and, like, rare rarely will I make, like, you know, a sports center play. And I I think that that comes down to just relying on my positioning and, you know, not doing a lot of extra movements where I'm caught out of out of of position, stuff like that. So, yeah, really, we've we've been working a lot on efficiency and and just staying calm. And, you know, I think as a goalie, right, like, you're gonna make the flashy saves once in a while.

But for me, like, limiting those and and making the flashy save an easy one has been important.

Yeah. It's it's funny. Like, everybody goes crazy for the highlight real save, but the reality at professional goalie level is nobody wants those are the ones where something's happened. Right? Like, the game's dynamic, so sometimes it's it's not your fault, but most guys will tell you it's usually a mistake that preceded it.

Oh, absolutely. Without a doubt.

You mentioned the Olympics. What was that experience like? You're an Olympian. Like, you're 23 years old. You've you've played in the NHL.

I wanna ask you about the first first start and what that was like first appearance. You've been in the Winter Olympics. Like, you world championships. Like, you've had a lot you like, you've lived through a lot of different experiences at a really young age from a goaltending standpoint.

It's been amazing. Yeah. It's I I think every I've I've been so fortunate, and, yeah, they they all mean a lot to me. And I I think when I get asked, it's I kinda think about it as having kids. Like, there's no one that I like more than the other.

Like, they all have a really special place in just my life and my experience overall. Yeah. But I think, yeah, the Olympics was definitely a different level, and I think it was still to this day one of the best months of my entire life. It was just it was so cool. And, honestly, like, a majority of it, you've like, I I forgot I was even there for hockey.

It was just like, I was just so it was so cool just to be around there. And, yeah, it's a long tournament. Like, I think you play. I think we played four games, and we're there for, like, well over two weeks, three weeks. So over that span, it's like you got a lot of extra time.

And I think looking back at the Olympics, the coolest part was just meeting all the other athletes and just bonding with them. And I didn't know what to expect. Right? Like, I always tell the funny story. We were walking to the opening ceremonies, and everyone kinda looks the same walking to the ceremonies.

The all the girls have their USA outfits on and all the boys do. And this was in China, you know, right after COVID. So we we were wearing masks and toques, and I was walking with Matthew Nyes, and I think it was Brock Faber and maybe one other guy. And, yeah, we were walking, looking at the fireworks, I I, like, kinda nudged, like, into someone's shoulder, like, pretty hard enough where, like, if it was in public, I'd be like, oh, shoot, like, sorry. And I was like, oh, like, I apologize.

Like, I was I was totally looking the other way. And he he looked at me, he was like, no no problem, bud. Like, no problem. And I looked back, and it was Shaun White. And I was like I was like, that's crazy.

So I I I went right back up to him, and we had a little conversation. I got a selfie with him, and yeah, I think what a cool experience. And everyone was just super super nice, super down to earth. We're all in the same shoes, so it was it was a great month.

It it it's funny because we we get wrapped up in, I think, in around hockey now and and everything, but, like, it's about the Olympic experience. Right? Like, it's yes. There is it's competition, but that is such a big part of it. It sounds like you really soaked it up.

Yeah. It was. And, obviously, yeah, the hockey was amazing as well. Like, I think that was probably the most fun I've ever had playing hockey was it was just it was such a surreal feeling. I I think I never never really kicked in, to be honest with you, until I I still remember I showered to get ready.

We opened the tournament against China in China, which was super cool. I got the start for that game. Was very fortunate. And the first time I really really set in, was nervous was when I I did all my pregame stuff. And then once I got out of the shower to get dressed and, like, was putting on our our USA outfit, and, like, I saw the Olympic logos, and we're putting on the big, you know, American flag, you know, with cameras and stuff waiting for us to leave downstairs.

That was the first time it kinda set in. And, yeah, I definitely definitely had some nerves for, like, a good twenty minutes, like, you know, am I ready for this? But once you get to the rink, it's easy. You know? It's just, it's you just go out and do your thing and and have fun.

Okay. So that takes us to the mental game. You talked about how important that is. I know that you feel you do meditation. You do different things.

When you say my pregame stuff, are there some things you can pass along that you do that other young goalies might benefit from? Or, again, not to tell everyone else what to do, but, hey. Maybe try this. It works for me. Maybe try in a dozen tools in the toolbox as they say so that in that moment that's so big, you can just get to the rink, once you're there, it's hockey.

Yeah. I think you know, I'm still I think if ask any goalie, like, we're we're always tweaking our pregame routines. And I think, you know, recently, the last year or two, I've I've really realized just kinda, like, controlling what you can, and everyone's so different. There's not one routine that works for someone that's gonna work great for someone else. And it's really just finding your own routine.

And for me, I was a you know, once I turned pro, it's I was used to, you know, having distract me, like, being in college and going to class, hanging out with the guys, like, talking to girls, like, things like that where once you turn pro, like, you have a lot less going on, a lot more free time. And I found that just unplugging from hockey before the game was like has helped me a lot. And you use so much, like, mental energy during the game. And, yeah, I would you know, in college and stuff, I was a guy that was really, like, locked in and focused before the games. Like, headphones in, wouldn't talk to a lot of guys.

Like, I did my warm up and stuff like that. And I find, you know, once once you're playing 82 games a year and or 70 or whatever it is, it's it's a lot more, and it's a lot more demanding on, you know, the mental side of it. So, yeah, currently for me, like, my my pregame routine's pretty loose before I get to the rink. Like, I just, like, hang out with the guys and and warming up, and that was a you know, a big thing I learned last year was when I was with the Blackhawks and backing up Petr Mrazek for a little bit. You know, he's a guy that has played a ton of NHL games, and he's got a lot of experience.

And and he's, like, he's making jokes in between periods, and that was so, like, foreign to me. Like, it was as a goalie, right, like, you kind of think of goalies as, like, really dialed in and, like, seeing seeing Raza just, like, joke around and be loose and, like, you know, chirping me and, like, just things like that. It's just it was really cool for me to see, and it helped me a lot. And, you know, now I'm I'm pretty loose, and it's it helps my game. Like, it helps me focus more.

Yeah, it the biggest difference is it just helps in the big games, I think. Like, if you're playing a championship game, playoff game is just approaching it the same way. And, you know, kinda my mindset now is kinda controlling what I can leading up to it. And once I get on the ice, I know that I've prepared to the best of my ability. That's all that I can do and just go out there and have fun.

That's such a great lesson because I think kids sometimes feel like they have to be that guy, quote unquote, that super intense. We've had this conversation with Eric Comrie. First, like, I think five, six, seven years of his career. He wasn't who he is as a person in the locker room because there was a stereotype of what he had to be. And if you're not yourself, as you said, all you're doing is adding tension.

You're not loose. So that's a great lesson. It sounds like you've learned it early. That's great. Yeah.

Absolutely. Yeah. I've yeah.

I think it was just it was so important, and everyone's different. You know? I think there's there's still guys at the NHL level that are really dialed in, and that works for them. And everyone's different, but, yeah, like, much like here in Eric's experience, like, I think I'm at my best when I'm just myself and, you know, being able to be loose and be myself. And I'm a goalie that just, like, loves hanging out with the team, and, like, I think it's so important as, like, team, team, team, like, especially as a goalie.

You want you want to be a guy in the locker room that people rally around and enjoy having in the net. And I think going out to, like, dinners and, you know, hanging out with the guys, it's so important. And, yeah, I think just being loose and and just being yourself, that's the biggest thing. You know? If you're a guy that just likes being focused and, you know, you kinda just like doing your own thing, then that's gonna work great for you.

But if you're someone that, you know, loves being, you know, talkative, having fun, and kinda, you know, being out there a little bit, then, you know, that'll work for you too.

Yeah. I know. Yeah. I mean, it worked like, Lundqvist was the famous example of the super intense, and it worked for him, obviously. But it doesn't mean everybody has to be that way.

It's a great takeaway. So do you get any side eye when you throw on the NHL Sense Arena headset, or do you do do that around the guys or no?

Yeah. It's funny. I saw at BU, I was doing it at the rink a bunch. Like, we had a big shooting pad area. Yeah.

So, like, after class and stuff, I'd go there and just, like, get my time. Like, I don't want yeah. Like, the the players think it's funny. And then once I once I got out to Rockford, I had I had space in my room, like, I started doing it there. And then I still I I remember one of I live with two other guys.

One of my roommates, like, sent it to the boys, and it was just, like, joking obviously, but he's like, this kid's insane or something like that. And it was pretty funny. So, yeah, I don't I don't I don't have it at the rink right now. I'll I'll use it sometimes when we have, like, longer stretches of not playing. I think in the summer, it's great too.

Everyone's different. Like, I saw Devin Cooley using it to warm up. Like, that's fantastic. I think Joey Daccord uses it for that too. Like, I think it's it's such a great tool.

And, yeah, it's a great tool for for kids too. Like, I find it does help, like, for sure the tracking piece of it. But again, like, everyone's so different and, you know, some guys like using it before games, some guys like using it at home. But, yeah, I definitely like using it using it more at home. And then once I get to the rink, just kind of do my thing.

What about other things that other tools along the way that you might like? Like, again, not to say it's for everyone, but where does meditation fit in? Is that still something you're doing?

Absolutely. Yeah. I think that's one of the most important pieces of, you know, what I've learned so far is the mental aspect of the game. And, like, to be honest with you, I think, you know, recently and, you know, this year, towards the end of last year, this summer, like, I probably do more mental training than I do physical. And I think it's it's had such good benefits for me, and especially in a position like goaltending where it is so mental.

And meditation's been been amazing. Like, it's it's completely changed my life, you know, just starting outside of hockey, and then the the benefits it's had for hockey too has been amazing. So I meditate before every game, and it really just helps me, like, bring me down to earth. And, yeah, it's it's just such a good tool because once I get to the rank, right, like, once you get to the professionals, there's, like, a lot that's out of your control. Last weekend, for example, we didn't get into the the road city until five in the league at 7PM that day.

Like, you got a lot going on that's out of your control. So meditation for me, when I do it at the rink, it just helps me kind of flush everything. Like, no matter what happened, now I'm here at the rink. Like, I'm where my feet are, I and can just focus on doing my best because, you know, that's all you can do. Then I like doing it at home too.

Like I still I do it every day in my apartment. Yeah. And it's it's been such a great tool tool, and it's it's something I'd highly recommend for any goalie that's maybe getting a little, you know, performance anxiety or maybe things aren't going well or, you know, things are going great. Like it's just, it's such a great tool just to be present and it's helped me like so tremendously since I started doing it.

Oh, it's funny you say where my feet are, and I automatically think of Alfie Michaud and Jeremy Swayman in an interview we did with them years ago as a philosophy. So walk me through how you got to know Jeremy and how he's become, it sounds like, a friend and mentor.

Yeah. He's been amazing. It really started I I so I worked out at Boston University in the summer. I went there for school, and I'm still taking classes there. And he was working out there for a little bit in the summer, so we kinda got connected there a little bit.

And then we started skating together. This was probably three years ago, I would say. And, yeah, we started skating together a little bit. Just him and I. And then, yeah, from there, like, we spend summers together.

So in Boston, like, he he skates in the same group I do, and then, you know, we'll get our little goalie skates in before we skate together. And it's kind of been cool. Like, Sway's been, like, so amazing to me, and, you know, I can't thank him enough. He's become such a good friend, you know, to me, giving me amazing advice. And, you know, I hope I get to play against him soon.

Like, it would just be such a full circle moment. It'd be really cool. He's he's been been amazing to me, and it's cool to be able to just kind of view him as one of my buddies now when I go home to, you know, have drinks or lunch or, you know, kinda just, you know, shoot the shit a little bit with with him about stuff outside of hockey. Like, it's it's been really cool. We're we definitely have a great, you know, healthy and, positive relationship that I think helps both of us.

Okay. One last one I wanna ask you about in terms of influences because I read about it. And if there's any I'm missing here just because I'm reading other feel free to jump in with the tips. But Fasi and yoga and sort of how that's Yeah. How that's been become a part a staple in your preparation as well.

Like, we all know about mobility and hip mobility and the importance of it, but it sounds like that's that's become part of what you do on a regular basis too.

Yeah. It absolutely is. I I do yoga every night. So, yeah, it's been amazing, and I found it that's one of the things that's had the biggest, like, you know, physical impact on me is, like, I've noticed just how much better my mobility is, and, you know, it's funny just stretching around the guys. They they think that I was born on some other planet doing all my hip stuff, but it's really just doing simple exercises like yoga every night that's helped me get, like, you know, fantastic mobility, and it helps me just, like, feel fresh throughout the season.

And I'll actually go to a yoga studio every Wednesday night here, which has been it's it's been amazing. And it's it's it's really cool to just ground me, and and I love yoga. I I do it all the time this summer, and I think finding, like, the right studio has probably been the challenging most challenging part because, you know, you wanna go to a class that's that's good. And especially during the season, you don't need, like, a hot yoga class. You're already sweating so much.

It's more restorative. And then the summertime for me, you know, the hot yoga is a little bit better where, you know, I can push it a little bit. But, yeah, I kinda started doing that because Vassy was doing it. Like, he was a guy that was so so flexible, and it's cool to learn from him. And, yeah, I kinda just try and learn from all goalies.

I think Jake Oettinger, I've I've learned a lot from him. Like, Oettinger and I are pretty close as well. He's another guy. Like, him and Sway have been so amazing to me just like American goalies kind of growing up having a very, like, you know, similar development path where, you know, Jake played at The US program and then went and played for Boston University and then went to the AHL and then went to the NHL. He's he's had a a very similar path, I still remember he reached out to me right when I made the US team.

I still I still have a screenshot of it on Twitter, and he, like, he messaged me saying congrats, and, yeah, I was, like, I was freaking out in the car, like, totally freaking out. And then we started skating together with Brian Ecklund. You know, we we we both used him, you know, as our goalie coach. So that's how I got close with Jake. Then, he's been great to me ever since.

And then last year, soon up against the stars, we we gotta catch up a little bit in Dallas and and warm ups, you know, on the red line. So it was cool cool seeing him at at that. You know, it's just it was kind of like a full circle moment of, you know, I remember him reaching out to me when when I was a, you know, junior in high school, how much that meant to me, and then be able to share the ice with him on an NHL stage was was really cool, and I'm I'm grateful for all that he's done for me.

The American goalie union is strong. That's why we see so much of it.

The yeah. That's right. Yeah. And I I think it's it's it's funny kinda looking at it, like, how how close we are off the ice. Like, there's there's so many great American goalies, like, especially now.

It's it's totally amazing to see. Like and I think it just says a lot about, like, the development of USA hockey and and goaltending. And, you know but I think the cool part of it is, like, I'm I'm really close with a lot of guys off the ice. Like, Jake and Jeremy and and Jacob Fowler and I are really close. We we train together in Boston as well.

He goes to Brian Ecklund also. Really close off the ice. And, yeah, it's just it's just been great to see in Spencer Knight too. Like, I'm super close to Spencer. Him being in Chicago now too.

Like, it's it's so cool, and we're really good friends and very, very similar in a lot of ways. So it's been cool to, like, to to just kinda follow everyone, and I think everyone's kinda, you know, rooting each other on and pushing for for each other because, you know, it's it's just it's amazing to see.

Okay. So you mentioned we talked about yoga in terms of mobility. Does the breath work matter too? And I'm also curious because you spend time with Sway in the summer and you're a yoga guy. Has he tried to get you into the ballet studio as well for a little bar?

Yeah. Yeah. The the breathing aspect of it is is big too. Yeah. And I I actually bring the the breath work from yoga into my game when I'm playing.

You know, I think you'll you'll see me like after, you know, a power play or something, like, bringing your heart rate down as quick as you can is super important, especially someone like like myself where I like to play really calm and and mellow. Like, that's super important for me, and I do breath work in between every period. Like, I get I take my gear off and then, yeah, I'll do, like, deep breaths and get my heart rate back to normal. And I I recover so much faster. So

Like like box breathing, different types of box breathing and stuff?

Exactly. Yeah. So I'll go I'll go four in, and then I kinda hold for six, then I'll exhale for seven. And I have a good routine now where I get massaged in in between every period, like, just my back. Sometimes it gets a little sore, so I'll lay down, and I'll do that breathing three times.

And like, when I do it, it kind takes about a minute. And it just gets me like, really back to, you know, you have, I think it's eighteen minutes in between periods. So yeah, it helps me recover. I think that's like a huge thing that I've learned is just like recovering in between periods. So yeah, it's it's been cool to incorporate that.

And then, yes, Sway, He, I haven't been to yoga with him, but he was a big he was big on Pilates this like this summer. And I knew that. And so I I was texting him. I think in June, like telling him I want to get into Pilates. His his girlfriend's actually an instructor.

So he was like, yeah. He's like, yeah, man. Like, absolutely recommend it. So I took my first Pilates class at Solid Core in Seaport, and I thought it was just I had no idea what I was getting into. And I, you know, I worked out, did my conditioning at Boston University in the morning, and then I thought I was going into like a nice, you know, easy, you know, stretching class.

It couldn't it couldn't have been farther from that. It was one of the hardest workouts I've ever done. Like, the girls in the class were were smiling, and I was, like, head down, dripping sweat, fighting for my life. I I remember texting him after. I'm like, dude, like, no heads up on how hard that was.

Like and he was laughing. So, yeah. He's a guy that he likes yoga too. He likes he likes pilates. He gave me the studio.

So that's kind of a funny story. We we yeah.

I love it. I love it. Okay. This is definitely the last one for me. You got a taste of the NHL.

What are your memories of that? And, you know, I I what you know, watching your play and the development of your game probably feels like you like, do you feel like you're you're ready for it? Now it's just a matter of waiting for that opportunity and making sure you're ready when it comes? Absolutely. Yeah.

I I I absolutely feel ready.

Right now, I I'm my game is in the best spot it's ever been, and I was very fortunate last year to to be called up a few times. The really funny story, the fur so the first time I got called up, I was with Rockford, and we were going to play Winnipeg. And when we play Winnipeg, we'll fly out on, say, a Thursday, and they ship our gear Wednesday because we will charter out of Rockford, but the plane can only handle like so much weight that we take. So they shipped my gear to Winnipeg. And then that night I got they told me I was getting called up.

So my gear was like halfway to Winnipeg, and we had a home game in Chicago. So I literally found just like ran like, the most random stuff across the ranks. Like, I luckily had an extra pair of pads in the back, you know, and but the rest the rest

of the gear I was wearing was like, just found, like, you know, extra pants that weren't my, like, specs. And I think all goalies know, like, your gear is your gear, and, like, you can feel if there's, like, a thread off somewhere. Like, you know, everything feels really good. And, like, going from a one piece true skate to, like, a two piece Bauer skate, I I honestly could barely skate. And, like, the first I don't even know if I've ever told this story.

I think the first, like, two or three games I was called up for, I was, like, I was, like, pretty nervous because I didn't have any of my gear. I was in new steel, new skates that weren't even baked. Like, it was totally nuts. And I was I was still kind of just like starstruck. I I was so happy to be there.

But, yeah, we we played we ended up playing in Dallas, I think maybe, like, about a a week, and my gear still hadn't got there. And I was just, like, praying, like, please get this in soon. And, took a shot up, like, real high, like, in his collarbone and went down in the second period. And I was, like, I was thinking, like, I was going in, like, this is my my first time. And I I had, like, I literally had a white helmet.

I could, like, the skates weren't even mine, like, totally crazy. So luckily, he was alright. And then I was fortunate to get called up again with my own gear this time. So it made it a lot less stressful. I could go out and kinda just be myself.

And, yeah, I my first game against the Islanders was was such a cool experience. Like, was just I was just on Cloud9, like, super grateful experience. I went into the game. We were down five one, and then we scored three, like, real quick to get back in the game. We end up losing five four.

We couldn't get the last one, but and then I think a day or two later, I got my first start in New Jersey, which was cool. I think it was a Saturday game at 1PM. I think it was, like, the only NHL game on at 1PM on the weekend, so it was cool that all my buddies across the country could could watch. I think it was one of the games that was kinda just on, you know, televised everywhere. And it was I think it was just it was perfect the way it played out.

I'm I'm from Boston, so it's not a long a long drive at all. I think it was, like, five hours or so. Had a ton of family, you know, just drive in day out, which was cool. And for it to be a 1PM game was I look back and kinda I guess the goalie goalie world will appreciate it because looking back, like, I still remember I could barely sleep the night before of just, like, how excited and, you know, partly nervous and, like, kinda just realizing it was just a cool moment coming up. And it was nice that the game was at one because once I woke up, I wasn't, like, through I would not have been able to pregame nap or, like, just sitting around all day waiting to play.

So, like, when I got up at nine, it was nice just to, like, shower and get right to the rink and play. So what what a cool experience.

That's awesome. Did did, Ek betray you by giving them the full scouting report or what? You already swore him to swore him to secrecy.

Yeah. I think I remember talking to him, after, and I was like, you better not be telling him, like, where to shoot or or, you know, where what you've been working on with me this summer. You know? Because it was it was funny to have to for it to be against New Jersey. Like, he he's been my goalie coach my whole life, and to play against his team was pretty funny.

And, yeah, it was cool. I got the the start against Markstrom, who was a guy I love watching. And, yeah, he gave me a a tap on the pads and just said, you know, congrats and good luck, which was was pretty cool. And, yeah, I'm like a big I'm a big believer. Like, I love chopping it up with the goalies at the red line, like, before the game.

Like, I think it's it's one of the coolest things in the world because, like, goalies are you're so it's such a different position, and, like, you're kinda on the same team in a way, you know? Like, it's just, like, no one gets goalies. Like, you have to be a goalie to understand it. And, yeah, I mean, I've grown great relationships with with the guys in our conference here, like Sebastian Cossa was, like, such a good dude, great goalie. You know, we love chopping him up before.

You know, we play each other, like, 10 times a year or something. So we're always we're always catching up in between, you know, in between games and warm ups when when we got that free minute. So I think that's that's something I love doing. Like, you just you just learn a lot about different guys. And, obviously, you know, some guys are really locked in, and I obviously respect that, of course.

But, yeah, it's fun to get to know guys and and before before you perform. It's pretty cool.

Well, the goalie union is strong, and, boy, I consider us blessed to have you a part of it, Drew. This has been fantastic, man. Just so many great insights, the openness. There's a lot of we get a lot of parents and kids listening to the podcast on the way to the rink, and you've shared some great insights and advice that I know they're all gonna be better for. So, as usual, I took longer than I said I would, but this has been so good, and I can't thank you enough for the time.

I yeah. I had such such a great time, and it's it's always amazing talking goalies. And I I hope that it impacted if it's just one little goalie, you know, somewhere, and it impacted them in a positive way. I'm I'm super glad. So, yeah, we we got to play the best position, you know, in the world, and I'm super grateful for that.

Outro

Yeah. You're you're pretty much right in the money. I'm I'm sold. I'm intrigued. He's good.

And I can't wait to tell people about him when he's up in the National Hockey League full time. And they'll be like, oh, we don't we don't know much about this. Well, here it is. Just like I did with Jeremy Swayman. Thanks to you.

Yeah. It's you know what? It just I'd done a little reading, and and honestly, we probably should've had him on sooner. I'd done a little reading and just felt like he was the guy who's gonna check all those boxes for us. And so but not everybody's willing to share, you know, their experiences in the game as openly as he did and and sort of the path that's led him to here.

And so I was just such an impressive young man and so willing to share those ideas. I'm I'm kinda picturing because we're into sort of Christmas season and there might be tournaments and trips and things. Maybe it's in the New Year. I'm picturing parents and kids listening to that interview and and just the ideas popping into their heads of, you know, about all the different ways that Drew's, you know, sort of sought out to get better over the years, the inspirations that he's found along the way. Not bad when your mentors include, you know, guys like Jeremy Swayman and and some of the other names that he that that he's sort of gotten to know along the way.

Also a shout out to USA Hockey. Right? Like, shows you the camaraderie that they are building towards their, you know, 5130 campaign. Like, there's a reason, like, these guys feed off each other and reach out to each other, and that mentorship component is so valuable, you know, heading into to pro hockey.

I tugged a few little emotional strings for you, Hutch, listening to some of that, as he he walked us through his journey.

Yeah. I mean, that makes you reflect on your own experience coming up through the game. And then, when you're a goalie parent working with a young goalie and he's coming up through the game, isn't that what it's all about? Like, what I said in the parent parent segment, for for all of us, the game is about shared experiences. I think we need to keep focusing on that.

Are at the end, final episode, before Christmas, but you do have an opportunity if you're looking for that last minute gift, to lean on everybody over at InGoal Magazine, with a subscription. Right?

Head over to ingoalmag.com. Click on the gift subscription link. You can choose the date you would like it delivered. You can choose the message that comes with it, and you can know that little Jimmy or little Susie get to enjoy InGoal Magazine and working with NHL and PWHL goalies and coaches all year long.

Don't wait till after Christmas. There there's something about like, we see them come in after Christmas quite a bit, and I don't know if that's little Johnny and little Susie being like, hey, you didn't get me my membership, and then parents panicking. But I I really genuinely don't know what that what that phenomenon is all about. But clearly, some of y'all wait a little too long, and then you remember, this is our reminder to you, get it before Christmas.

I'm still trying to put together the goalie bible for opportunity for people to give as a a last minute gift, whether it's a is a physical little list of things that we go through and term terminology or something online that we can publish through InGoal Magazine. But I also think that we should the stickers got me thinking. A great sticker of Woody in a minivan holding up the InGoal Magazine microphone.

What do think the

market would be for that?

I think it'd be pretty low unless it was one of those infinite stickers where, like, you put it on the back of a minivan. So

it's Oh, yeah.

From behind so that, like, it's just constantly a picture of the back window of minivan with Woody inside it, and then again, repeating, repeating, repeating, repeating.

How's that going?

That's the kind of thing you you would stick on the back of a minivan.

Is it warming up over there?

I will say that it is very early when we started. We're now approaching a little like, it's it's sort of morning time now. The sun is coming up over the buildings. I did not turn the air conditioning on or the minivan on because I'm sensitive to the environment, and this is a gas vehicle, and it is getting a little toasty in here right now, boys. I don't know if you can see, but I'm starting to leak.

It's too bad because we've got our

Hutch has zero zero sympathy from Hutch who's up in Canada where it's like four degrees and down here where it's like 26. Yeah. Single tier rolling down the eye.

It's too bad because we have our annual holiday year end meeting coming up right after we're done here, and that usually takes three hours. So you're stuck.

Well, let's

Should potluck again this year?

Yeah. Potluck. Let's just keep those gift subscriptions coming in, folks, and then maybe one day we'll have the we'll have the meeting in person in Hawaii with all of us.

Yeah. Someday, Woody, catch a break, folks. Just let's let's pray for him. Alright? Happy holidays to everybody.

Thanks for making us a part of your journey in goaltending. We do certainly appreciate it. If you have an opportunity, drop us a line, let us know where you're spending the holidays. If you're doing something relating to goaltending or hockey over the holidays. So we'd love to catch up with you as we continue on towards 2026.

Have a great Christmas. Happy Hanukkah, and we will talk to you next time on InGoal Radio, the podcast.