Montreal Canadiens Prospect Emmett Croteau (Ep. 362)

Intro

Cruising along through the summer, InGoal Radio, the podcast presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley, thehockeyshop.com. Out here in the East, Daren Millard. Over there in the West, the Lower Mainland is Kevin Woodley, and somewhere out there in the universe is David Hutchison. Good to be with you, Woody.

It's good to be with you. We're we're missing Hutch though. We are missing our fear our fearless leader, our our voice of reason, our dad in this campaign.

I'm looking forward to chatting with him about being over with the the Daccords and and Stop It Goaltending.

Yes. And then the poor buggers gotta go back to Boston with me in about ten days for the USA Hockey Symposium. So he is racking up the frequent flyer miles. He's been very, very busy. I hear good things about the camp with the Daccord.

Lots of positives from that, and I can't wait to sort of venture back out there. And I don't think Brian's gonna be at the USA Hockey because he's got some duties with the Detroit Red Wings, but I'm pretty sure Joey is. We might even there's there's a rumor we might even be able to do a live ProReads in front of the whole symposium as part of it. Mhmm. Yeah.

InGoal up on stage.

How many days is that USA Hockey Goaltending Symposium?

Three, it includes on the third day, and I think actually so I shouldn't say includes, I think maybe the main focus of the third day is a oh, I'm looking for the right word. It's like a it's like a fair almost. Goalie fair. Like there there's there's like a marketplace, but there'll also be a stage set up for Like a trade show?

Trade show

going trade show. There's the word, Daren. That's why you get paid the big bucks. It's like a trade show. So it is a trade show.

And we'll be there, but also within the trade show, you're in the Boston area or frankly, within even a few hours drive of it, you should get there for the final day. I think that's the Saturday. You'll have all the trade show stuff, but also I think they'll have guests on the stage including, again, I don't wanna give too much away. I think some of this is still being finalized, but some NHL goalies that'll be up there doing interviews on the stage as part of the festivities at the trade show on the Saturday. So it's gonna be fantastic.

There'll be, I believe, between a 150 to 200 goalie coaches from around the country coming in. They've got goalie staff from other countries coming in this time as well. Some big names sorta they've always been an open book at USA Hockey in terms of sharing. Like, they're not trying to create this the fifty one and thirty program and, like, hide everything under a trench coat. It's all sort of out in the open and open dialogue with other nations about what they're doing, swapping notes and ideas and and sort of a real openness and willingness to exchange information for the betterment of the goaltending union in all countries.

So it's one of the things I applaud about their approach. One of many things.

Would Hockey Canada do anything similar?

In terms of sharing or in terms of having an event like this?

Having an event like

this. Okay. Okay. Put me on the spot there, Daren. No.

No. They they don't have an event like this. Now they do I will say they, if you get to the goal, I believe they call it the gold level, the last level of their goalie coaching certification program, there is a they do get together in person live. I believe it's always in Calgary at the at the training facilities there, and they have, you know, goalie coaches, you know, like Rick Wamsley from Goal U come in and be a part of that. Joey Ali, who works for the PWHL Vancouver Golden Eyes, is a friend of the show as well.

He be he comes in as a part of that. So so also, you know, it's a it's a bigger gathering, but not to the extent that this is. This is also sort of their gold certification. Like, there's presentations from the people that are up for that final stage of of the highest level certification at USA Hockey, but then there's all these other coaches who aren't necessarily a part of that part of that they are they are there as well. And just the no.

I guess the answer is no. Not like it's not with NHL guys coming in to a deep part of presentations.

As a different

way than Yeah. And and just not to the scale, frankly. I mean, there's there's gonna be NHL goalies and coaches here, there's gonna be on ice and off ice demonstrations and talks. It's gonna be an incredible weekend.

If you can't get to the trade show at USA Hockey in the final day of that, goaltending symposium, just head over to the Hockey Shop Source for Sports Langley, the hockeyshop.com. That's that's like one big trade show. Just walking in the doors there.

Yeah. It is. Absolutely. It is, Daren. They've got all kinds of you're that's a really good point and a great segue.

They've got so much stuff right now. And you know what? I'm I'm seeing we've talked about the sales when all the new stuff comes in. So it's a little bit of both right now with the Hockey Shop Source for Sports. There is like, for example, Daren, you've worn the Axis XF series.

Right?

Yep.

And that's 30% off on all remaining inventory because, obviously, it's been replaced. Axis XF has been replaced by the new CCM Tacks line. So they've got some left still, 30% off blowout. But, also, it's that time of year where everybody's sort of starting to get back into hockey, getting ready for the upcoming season. The calendar is about to flip from July to August, and that's when they run their hockey is back sale.

20 to 50% over 1,200 markdowns around the store, so make sure you go and check that out. Bauer, CCM, Brians, True, Vaughn, Warrior, markdowns on everything. So make sure you go check that out online at the hockeyshop.com, or if you're lucky enough to live in the area like I am, make sure you go bug Cam and his crew in person. Check out all the great deals and also all the inventory they have on the latest and greatest to get yourself set up in the gear that works for you for your upcoming season.

Love that Axis AF. It's the the rebounds. I love it when when it's fresh ice and you're early in a in a practice and you send it the length of the ice. Yeah. I I ice it off the pad.

It's one of the coolest things.

Active rebounds, big part of the game today and I I will say, Daren, I think they might even come off this this new Tacks set even more explosively. Yeah. Just a little. It's noticeable.

Can you still order custom and get it for the start of the season or are you right on the edge?

That is a really good question. The kind of question that Cam and his crew will be able to answer and I do think it depends on the brand. You know, some of them are turning it over in six weeks, so that's getting pretty close depending on when your season starts. Are you mid September or early September? But we're we're really getting tightened in that window.

Now some brands are some brands are like twenty plus weeks. They just don't have the ability to turn it over as quickly. They're inundated. And of course, at this time of the year, they're making a lot of equipment for NHL guys. So it's you're getting into that window.

So call Cam, he'll be able to tell you whether you have a snowball's chance in hell or not. But I think I wouldn't wait any longer than after you hear this if you're thinking about it, you want it fresh and ready to go for the start of this season.

Gear

Talk about the the next step in Jonathan Quick's journey in goaltending, but let's get to the Gear Segment first and talk things over with Cam and Woody talking about the True 7X6.

Welcome back to the Hockey Shop Source for Sports. I'm here with Cam and we have the True 7 X6. Catalyst. Catalyst 7 X6. No.

You see, Saros did not bring his pads back but the colorway has that Nashville Predators.

Very heavily inspired.

So Cam, we've seen a lot of changes at True in terms of sort of some of the different price points and options. Where does 7X6 fit? We've talked about good, better, best with other brands. Where does this fit?

Good, better, 7X6, best ish nitro, fully best nitro pro.

Okay. So the difference is nitro pro is made in Canada. Nitro is made overseas. As many brands many brands pads are, These are also made overseas. That's right.

Not with the same material.

No. So this would be

your equivalent of a lot of other brands second price

point. Second price point. There we go. Okay. That's fine.

Mid Level tier.

Right. Just wanted to make sure we're sort of like because it because again, there's a lot of different sort of numbers and SKUs floating around trying to explain that to the consumer so they understand it. This would be the equivalent of a second price point. Check. What do you get? Like, I'm looking at a lot of the features that I see like there's is that their diamond glide material on the inside?

No. This is weave. That's weave. Okay. So there's one

of the differences. Standard weave instead of diamond glide.

You didn't even hear it. Okay.

Yes. That's magic camera.

Weave side surface. Okay. Similar structure to that side profile of pads. So now that's remained the same.

Okay.

You still get that thinned out profile of the pad. Softer core, very much softer in comparison to what we would find in even that next price point up in that Nitro pad.

Okay.

Again, bit by design, they're taking some things out to be able to create that, you know, again, mid level price point tiered. So even continuing with that, that knee stack is not gonna be the same. You don't have that same kind of stiffness strap that they added to it to be able to get a little bit more rigidity. This is just their standard kind of style of an E Block which we have seen previously.

A little more wiggle to it.

That's correct. So you will see a little bit more play that way.

Yep. So if you're used to an older model pad and that's something you're used to, you're getting it here. You'll get the FRS style.

That's correct. So that that hasn't changed. That has remained. Still get that same overall feel.

Nice biggest changes since Lefeuve went out on their own.

Yes. That's correct. Boot wise, it's still very very similar. It's still a nice soft flat boot construction as well. So you're getting a lot of flexibility, a lot of forward flexion to be able to get over top yourself, reverse VH, things like that.

You still get that return and pro laces on their stock standard elastic bungee.

So you just not like the core is compared to like like you said, it's more flexible. Durability probably it's probably gonna soften up a little bit even more over time.

I mean, this is pad's only ever gonna get softer. Right? Pad's never gonna get stiffer. Right? So this is kinda already where we're at.

But a lot of people are looking for that. Like like for a lot of people, what NHL goalies want, which is a really stiff pad, is not necessarily what a lot

of Conducive of.

Other goalies want. So there we go. Okay. So really good option. Wanna do blocker?

Blocker. 7X6 Yes. Have you seen a True blocker before?

Good news is you're wearing it again.

Okay. So no op angle on this.

No op angle.

And I gotta be honest, it kinda feels like I could use it because I feel like, you know, I guess I could open that wrist up.

Wrist up? You still do have

Okay. That's there we go. That's a little better. Now I got a little more.

Yeah. Face that open to the camera so that

everybody can adjustability see matters because when we first sort of had this on I was like my hand was kind of locked here. Wasn't able to get it over top and sort of steer rebounds down. That's what was talking about off the angle but there you go. Adjustable wrist options are part of the 7X6 so that's a positive. Difference is just not quite the same materials as Nitro and the pro.

Just HD foam board.

Okay.

Nothing extra fancy to it overall. They still have that zipper on the back though so you could technically replace the board down the line.

Right.

Or you know, hey if you're crafty why not add some plaster to it? There you go. Gotcha. Probably the best value thing that I do.

Yeah. Is like this Honestly,

glove can sell the set. This is one that could possibly do that for you.

Right. And and if I'm being perfectly honest, this one's closing easier than when we had the higher price point when we're in here and that might just be how many people have had it on or whatever but like that's a nice

Consistently coming out of the box like this.

That's a good thing.

590 overall shape and that's finger to the base of that, you know, your thumb.

It's coming down. Yeah. I can feel it.

So double t, skate lace pocket depending on the exact color.

Skate lace pocket nylon in between. I know it's like when we're doing the Bauer one it was skate lace and skate lace even in between.

Also another pro level feature again depending on which way you want to take it. Very thick overall padding. It's technically a game ready glove, but it just definitely feels like there is some more substantial padding to it, especially in the palm area.

Yeah. No. That's like you said, like, this is actually closing easier out of the box than the one that was more expensive we did last time and that just might be a coincidence, but that's feels like pretty good value. Okay. Sizing, is there is there any we've seen other companies go custom options in their second price point.

Is there any custom options here?

No custom options. Just what you see off the wall.

Okay. But thankfully, you're at the Hockey Shop Source for Sports, you get a lot of options off the wall including, you know, if you happen to live in Nashville, a really nice color set. Yes. So make sure you check out the Hockey Shop Source for Sports, thehockeyshop.com for all the different color ways.

604-589-8289.

And sizing? Yes. Okay. That's it. Truly awesome.

We're done.

And that second price point line is is really good, good value.

Yeah. And there's and and True's a little different, like, there's multiple, like, we've got the 5X6 coming that we're gonna review as well. So there's there's there's multiple tiers here and, you know, like I said in the in the review there, there were some elements there that really impressed me for sure. So it's incredible how much it's changed. You know, I know a lot of people complained originally about offshore manufacturing, But the reality is now you just change a couple of of sort of the ingredients, the materials.

They aren't quite the same as the highest level stuff, but it's amazing to me how many of the highest level features are starting to be included on the lower price point. And the reality is, and we've said it before, this isn't new, but stuff that five years ago would have been, like, pro level is now available pretty much the same pad at a second price point level. Because as they keep adding pieces and elements to the gear, stuff that would have been brand new a few years ago is now available for half the price.

Okay. Some updates. Start with Jonathan Quick.

The well, retired as we knew. And so new tandem. This one's a little tough. If you've been following along at ingoalmag.com, we've had the great series of skating drills, we're wrapping that up in the next week, the the full hour of skating with Rangers prospect, Dylan Garand. I thought Dylan played so well at the end of the season, he'd slide into that number two role with Shesterkin as Jonathan Quick retired.

But it looks like Joonas Korpisalo, they trade for him, so that's probably your one two, and we'll see what happens with Dylan, whether he ends up on waivers or they maybe even, like a lot of teams, hold three. In the meantime, Jonathan Quick staying involved and not surprised because he's from the area, lives in the Connecticut area, and he's gonna be the director of goaltending development. Little bit of a head scratcher when I first thought I was director of goaltending, one of the first reports, and I'm like, okay. This has always been a Benoit Allaire, and Benoit Allaire retired from that role this summer. And Jonathan was so late to sort of that philosophy.

You know, they've got Jeff Malcom in the NHL who's learned that philosophy and teaches it. You got Brandon Burke in the American League doing a great job. Also, another guy who's sort of a disciple of Benoit there through his dad, Sean, who learned it in Arizona and now I think teaches a lot of the same philosophies in Vegas or or still has that at a core of his belief. So having somebody that didn't necessarily come from that school of thought be the director had me scratching my head. Now director of development, that makes a lot more sense.

So good for Jonathan Quick, stays involved in the game. And I gotta say, we've never had the pleasure at InGoal of having him on as a featured guest or doing ProReads with him, despite his good friend and goalie coach during their time with the LA Kings, Bill Ranford, pushing for it over the years. Because Bill tells me that the way Jonathan sees and thinks the game is just like chef's kiss elite. As much as we talked about the aggression early in his career and how he, you know, evolved his game through the Stanley Cups and and all the victories that he had winningest American goaltender, all those different elements of his game. I think his mind was underappreciated because he wasn't as much an open book in the media.

We did have some great conversations about goaltending, shorter five minute kind of things about his pads and things like that over the years and how tight he wore them. And you got a glimpse, but there was always a hesitation to really open the door. And what I under from what I understand from people around him, like, really thinks the position deeply and well. And so that's the type of experience that is gonna be so beneficial to their young goaltenders coming through the system, turning pro as prospects still playing in junior and college to be able to tap into that expertise from Jonathan Quick and all the experiences they had in that director of development role. So it's exciting times for the Rangers and, you know, he was there under the Allaire system for the last couple of years.

I'm sure there's elements that he's picked up as well. You saw it in his game. It was less aggressive and actually, the last couple of seasons, he had stretches where his numbers were off the charts good.

Here's a great, Jonathan Quick, quick story for you. We we all know the palms up goalies, who get scored on, and they put their palms up like, wasn't my fault. Like, what are you doing? That that kind of thing. I was doing a game with Alec Martinez this past winter, and the the goaltender in the other net, Vegas scores a goal, and and the goalie does that.

And Marty's like, I I hate that. Like, you wouldn't believe how much defensemen hate see turn around and seeing that. Like, we're all in the same boat here. And he said, Quickie, there wasn't a goal that he was that he ever allowed where he didn't say that's on me. To the point where they would go back to him, okay.

Okay. Cut it out. Like, that it it was a 3 on 0. I'm pretty sure that that that we could've helped you out. He said, every single goal, said, sorry.

That's on me. And he said it was one of those bonds that they had between goaltender and defense where, like, he would just own everything whether it's his fault or not.

There's a lesson there because that's a hell of a career. I would argue a a hockey hall of fame career. Obviously, he's gotta wait a few years before he's eligible, but he'd be on my list.

Jack Campbell.

Retired. And now moving on as a life coach. Just one of the great speaking of being able to give young goalies and and young athletes advice, one of the great people in the game, one of my absolute favorites, we're gonna have him as a guest here on the InGoal Radio Podcast in the next couple of weeks. We've already touched base, and, he's graciously agreed to to connect with me and put up with me and and do a guest spot. And I think we'll probably get a lot out of that interview and just a glimpse at the kind of things he's gonna do as a life coach because the expectations were so high.

You know, he was eleventh overall, first round pick. And some of the things that were asked of him in terms of being a goalie weren't necessarily the best, I think, in terms of Jack Campbell the person. And so being able to balance those two worlds. I know some of the mentors that he had over the years that helped sort of him find a better balance. Dusty Emu, I think of, when he was with the Kings.

There there's just a lot of lessons that he's learned along the way, many the hard way. He all and he always persevered through them with, I don't wanna say a smile, but just with a graciousness. Smile's too dismissive, but just with a like, he never lost who he like, I remember I'll put it this way. Grounded. Right?

Ground. Yeah. Just a just a great person that you wanted good things to happen for. I remember after the Oilers sent him down to the American Hockey League, one of the things that was a little head scratching was the timing because they did it right where their American League team was gonna come through Vancouver, Abbotsford. Like, so, hey, we're gonna make this, like, huge, you know, a headline generating move with this goalie we've signed to this big contract, and then we're gonna subject him to Canadian media, like, the next few days.

Like, wait wait wait a few more days, and he's in Bakersfield, and he doesn't have to he he went through Vancouver. I think they did Calgary after, and so you know the questions, and they're pointed, and they're And he handled everything with so much grace. And so I don't think he needs the job. Right? He had a good career, and a career full of perseverance and bounce back.

But I think this is probably a sign of who he is, and and he's discovered that the experiences he went through for good and bad have the ability to help others. And so I can't wait to sort of ask him about that and ask him about the next step. I know he's working with Steve Briere's goalie schools already to to bring that experience to their goalie schools, so I wanted to shout that out. They obviously would have had a relationship when he was in Toronto and had those great seasons. So, yeah, just, one of the great people in the game.

I always say, Daren, especially come playoff time, people say, oh, who are you cheering for? I say, I don't cheer for a team. I cheer for great people and great stories. And Jack Campbell was always both in good and bad. He always maintained that ability to be both.

So can't wait to catch up with him. Congratulations to him on a on a great career that was almost derailed a few times. Kept persevering, and I'm excited to see what's next.

Again, Jack Campbell on the list of, guests coming up in the next couple of shows on InGoal Radio, the podcast. Jet Greaves getting paid. We're in the midst of the arbitration window. He does not go the distance as he and the Columbus Blue Jackets are able to secure a three year deal. What do you think of the number as compared to what the team was pushing for and what Jet was asking for?

Well, I mean, it's arbitration. Right? The the athlete asks high, finds the high end of the comparable. And frankly, their arbitration ask was in line with Dustin Wolf's contract. And I think when you look at this I mean, does Jet Greaves have two American Hockey League Goalie of the Year awards?

No. But when you look at his adjusted numbers in the National Hockey League, especially, you know, adjusted for the shot quality he was facing, like, I've talked about this for years. Jet's numbers have been off the charts good. They leveled off a little bit this year, but that's to be expected as he had a full time role and there's ups and downs and learning experiences there. So they split the difference.

Right? Like and and Columbus obviously comes in low. Like, that's just the nature of arbitration. They're gonna come in with the lowest comp they think works. I somebody I saw reported that the 2.8 they were offering in arbitration was the Akira Schmid comp.

Right? So Schmid is one of the comps here. At the end of the day, it's just numbers when you get to arbitration. I'd be curious whether they had access to my numbers on on on Greaves side because my numbers paint a picture of a guy who has a has had a ton of success, again, relative to environment because one team to the next is apples to oranges, and a guy who projects very highly for the future. Frankly, a guy who I think is gonna be a part of he got the world championships experience.

Guy I've got on my list to be a part of the Four Nations and and future Olympics for Canada when you look at the way he's progressed. The next step is just consistency at the highest level. And so avoiding arbitration and the potential animosity of it is a good thing. Basically, split the difference between the two asks, and they kept the term down. And if you're a team, I think keeping the term down is never a bad thing when it comes to goaltending because this is gonna cost me my goal of Union card, but there's a lot of volatility in the position.

It's just the nature of it. So they keep the term down, which keeps them happy. And I think if you're Greaves, and I know how much, like like, you know, how hard he's worked to get to this level and how much he believes in that path and and what he's capable of, Three year window, $5,000,000 a season, as the cap rises and I think goalie salaries are gonna evolve, he's gonna come out of that, you know, a little bit of a prove me window and have an opportunity to cash in again. So it's to me, it's a win win win.

If he's in the mix for team USA 2030?

Or team Canada, sorry.

Yep. Sorry, team Canada 2030. Got my nations mixed up. Then then you're you're talking about getting paid.

Yeah, absolutely. And and you know, speaking of guys that are are gonna be on the podcast one day, we've got Jet coming up. This is if Jet listens to this, he he's been hesitant to come on the podcast in the past. He used to well, I think he used to say he just didn't feel like he was at that he had that status yet. I'm like, you've got it now.

Yeah. But we have had him on for ProReads. I just tease. I tease. He's you know, again, we talk about great people.

One of my favorites to talk to. He was a ProReads guest, did it live outside the locker room when Columbus came through town this year, did four ProReads for us. He did he did the one when we met him in Montreal a couple of years ago where he sat down and and broke down a ton of clips from his first game against his hometown Leafs when he first got called up. Like, just one of those guys you cheer for, Daren. And so excited for him, excited for the future for him, and I think it's it's a future that's full of, many more bright moments ahead.

Fun guy to watch, too.

Yes.

Speaking of ProReads, let's slide over there. Brought to us, by Vizual Edge.

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I use the game day drills every game before heading to the rink. It's a combination of recognition, reaction, and focus that activates my brain and eyes to feel ready for what's to come. That was Jordan Binnington who used it at the Olympics, used it at the Four Nations, and is a Vizual Edge game day user all the time. You can become a Vizual Edge game day user or, like I said, use it to build your vision and on game days, that's the best way to do it. Use the code InGoal, I n g o a l, to get 10% off Vizual Edge monthly and annual subscriptions, or if you're a member at InGoal, get 20% off.

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And this week's ProReads, go back, we've been talking about Dustin Wolf, we go back to Dustin Wolf with a great breakdown of when to cheat. So, Daren cross ice past top of the zone, guy catches it at the top of the circle. Every goalie is probably, it's basically a two on one off a turnover off the wall from the top of the circle down. Every goalie is pushing over to that guy at the top of the circle. But when Wolfie does it in this video, he doesn't square up on him.

He stays flat because there's another threat coming on the backdoor. The question becomes, what factors do you think would have determined his ability to cheat, his own word, on that backdoor guy rather than square up a guy who's got time and space at the top of the circle off a cross ice pass?

He's got just know who's on the ice and who's over there. Right?

Right. Handedness also part of that. Yeah. Are other there were other factors in this one. And I'm not gonna give them away because I do have a tendency.

I can I can I can Hutch isn't with us today, but I can picture him going, oh, you're you're flirting the line here? I can see the look on his face right now as we talk about this. There were factors in this play that led Dustin Wolf to feel like, if you shoot from there, I've got this no matter what. And I can wait to square up once I see that stick flex and know it's coming. I'm not gonna give away those factors, but it's pretty rare on a guy so, again, like, taking a pass all alone top of the circle for a goalie not to immediately get to the edge of his crease and square, but Wolf didn't.

And so rather than me telling you, I'm gonna let all the goalies think about this one, all the different factors that could go into that, that allowed Wolf to feel so confident on that shot that he could cheat and stay flat so he could get across to the backdoor? And then the answers are at InGoal Magazine, ingoalmag.com in our latest ProReads, as well as like I said, a 20% discount to Vizual Edge. So make sure you go check it out there today.

I don't see a guy in the National Hockey League who players seemingly just shoot the puck into his glove on a on a right right side shot coming down the wall, and he just has it there. It looks like they're just shooting it in there, but there's obviously so much that goes to it because he

just Did you watch his Pro Reads?

Did you

see it when in the glove or did

No. No. I just that's that my between the the I mean, we know the jump, we know his footwork, we know all his his abilities, but the the takeaway from because he's my favorite guy to watch, is just how often he ends up in like a one knee down and they just shoot it in his glove. Like, what? How does he do that?

How does he convince them to do that? Yeah. It's it's it's baffling, but it's so, impressive that he continues to get it done. So I'm looking forward to this week's, pro read. Hutch is not here talking to us, but he is around with the parent segment presented by Stop It Goaltending U the app.

Before we get to Hutch, a reminder. Would you like to have twenty five years of NHL goalie coaching experience at your fingertips? Wanna tap into the 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 includes a long list of pro and veteran NCAA coaches, all delivered in easy to digest chunks, including five short daily primers, weekly style analysis and breakdown videos, as well as drills that you can take onto the ice with your team and coach.

Plus, you get a subscription to InGoal Magazine included, which would then also allow you to access the ProReads and the discounts. So check it out now at the App Store or Google Play and get the best of both worlds with a subscription to Stop It Goaltending U the app and a subscription to InGoal Premium.

Parent Playbook

I speak for Woody. Hutch, we miss you. David?

Sorry. I can't be with you again this week, guys, but today I'm reflecting on my time at Stop It Goaltending's GCG prospects camp just outside Boston last week. It was a fantastic week where Brian Daccord kindly invited me to be a guest coach. There were literally dozens of coaches there from the NHL, NCAA division one and three, the OHL, QMJHL, and even the Slovak extra liga, and somehow me. Two things really hit home that we've talked about a lot on this segment before.

The first is to stay open to learning from new voices. Nearly 200 goalies attended the camp and they never saw the same lineup of coaches on any one ice session. That was intentional. There was a framework and a curriculum for each day with themes at every station, but beyond that each coach was encouraged to bring their own perspective and approach. It was a powerful way for goalies to expand their thinking and for coaches to learn from one another.

In fact, once the on ice sessions ended, we'd spend hours in the classroom sharing ideas and discussing the game late into the evening. The second lesson came from the parents. I had the opportunity to speak to a room packed with more than 80 goalie parents as part of their seminar series. The highlight for me was sharing the stage with Brian Daccord and talking about the journey of being a goalie parent. We both shared the highs and the lows.

And, yes, even when your goalie's in the NHL, there are still difficult nights. As I talked with parents throughout the week, one message kept coming back, and it's one we've shared here many times. You're not alone. We've all celebrated incredible moments watching our sons and daughters play. We've all been frustrated by coaching decisions, tough games, disappointing tryouts, and the countless ups and downs that come with the position.

One of the best parts of goalie camps is the friendships goalies build that often last a lifetime no matter where they end up playing. The same is true for parents. To all the parents who were there and to all of you who continue to send us your stories and emails at parents@InGoalMag.com, Thank you. It's been amazing to build this goalie parent community together. And a huge thanks to Dac and everyone at Stop It Goaltending for welcoming us last week.

Finally, if you're headed to the USA Hockey Symposium in Boston in a couple of weeks, please stop by and say hello. We'd love to meet you there.

We miss him, but do you think he misses us?

Probably not. No. Probably not. It's like herding cats having to be around us.

Yeah. That's fair though. Take a little little time away. He won't miss us, but he'll be more tolerable of our presence.

That's true. He will be you know, that's the problem though, Daren. You're you're in good shape, buddy. Because, you know, it's gonna be it's been a little while. Me, like, I'll be only I'll be I'll be in that good graces for a week, and then he's gonna get a plane with me and put up with me for a week in Boston or for for four or five days in Boston, and by the end of that, he'll be done with me.

And I frankly don't blame him.

Okay. Here's a question.

I'm a little OCD.

When you fly Mhmm. You fly with a buddy or your coworker slash buddy. Do you sit together on the on the plane? I don't.

Yeah. I think in this, I'm not sure in this case where I believe we are in this case. Oh. Yes.

Yes. Impressive. I I I never sit with my my people. I just wanna, like, zone out.

See, I I end up, you know, I think being on a plane, and this is probably speaks to my inability to remove the distractions in my life when I'm at home. But when I'm on a plane, or maybe it's because I usually have six deadlines that I need to reach so that I can go away in peace, I get so much done. Like, when we go on a trip, it's usually like, okay, I gotta get three stories done, then then I don't have to worry about anything while we're away for a week. So I will just grind on that plane and work for the whole, like, it's a six hour flight. Like, I rarely watch I don't sleep on flights, I rarely watch movies on flights, I will just grind for most of the six hours.

I sleep and podcast. Like, listen to podcasts.

Oh, not bad. Is it is it hopefully, as long as you're not listening to ours to put you to sleep.

No. No. I I'd be too jacked listening to us. So we've got our NHL Sense Arena feature interview this week with Emmett Croteau

Yeah. Montreal Canadiens draft pick Emmett Croteau. I had a chance to you know, this kind of follows the Callum Tung interview from last week.

Oh, yeah.

They were both on the ice. You're gonna

hear fantastic.

Yeah. He was great. He was great. And and so is Emmett. I'll tell you, Daren, you're listen to this interview and you're gonna have another another young goalie that you wanna follow, a career you wanna follow because and it's a it's an exciting one.

I just was really impressed with both these young men, the work they were doing on the ice. You're gonna hear them reference, the the goggles, the Lyle Mast or Sports, Trac optic goggles, and the work that they were doing on the ice with that.

Are those public yet?

No. But real close. Real close. Have a have a

They're gonna get me a pair of Yeah.

I have a meeting later today about that. So Nice. They're coming. They're coming, you'll be able to find them through us. But just yeah.

Just this is a great story, great background story, one of those ones where you find yourself at the end of it just becoming an even bigger fan of an athlete that a lot of our listeners probably didn't know all that well. So really great stuff. And speaking of great stuff, how about NHL Sense Arena? There is still a chance still a chance to complete your Team USA July training. We're we're winding down, but there's plenty of time still to jump in.

Inspired by Team USA Hockey and appropriately ahead of the USA Goalie Symposium, these guided training plans will help develop the skills that separate great goaltenders. The focus areas this month, soft scanning, improving your ability to scan the ice in layers for play tracking. How many times have we talked about that on the InGoal ProReads? The ability to look off pucks and scan the zone. Reading releases, identifying shooting cues for different shot types.

Box control, learn to have active hands, but control your positioning. And game flow reads, anticipate plays and react to in game situations. It is all a part of the USA Hockey July training module, and there's still plenty of time to jump in to earn your team USA training award badge, a chance to win two free months of NHL Sense Arena, and bonus entries for completing the GAP program, goalie advancement program. So lots of great stuff at NHL Sense Arena this month. Make sure you check it out before July ends and we get into August.

It'll still be there in August, but a chance to sort of earn some badges and some awards before turning the page and the perfect way to get ready, all those things I talked about, great ways to get ready for your upcoming season or tryouts.

Looking forward to this conversation. Enjoy it on InGoal Radio.

Feature Interview - Emmett Croteau

Really excited to welcome the InGoal Radio Podcast. First time guest. I have a hunch it might be the first of many because I got to watch this young man skating out here this week. I also got a a taste of the personality too a little bit. Likes to have some fun.

Emmett Croteau, Montreal Canadiens prospect. Mhmm. Would have been at dev camp this year. Okay? And playing at Dartmouth College.

First off, just thank you for joining us.

Of course. Yeah. Thank you for having me. It's been fun coming out here in BC and and get a taste of, you know, been skating with Lyle Mast and, you know, having you there as well and having Tavern and and, yeah. It's been fun and been enjoying it and and just glad to be here.

So thanks for having me.

So where does this fit? Like, we're we're we're we're into sort of late July here. Is this how long have you been skating? Like you said, I know you had development camp early in July. Like, what does an off season look like for you?

Yeah. It's been it's been all over the place. Like, I've, obviously, I've got to a new school and, you know, I've grown and and learned and figured out a lot of things and what works for me and whatnot. But, yeah, like, last summer, I was at school catching up on some credits, and I skated maybe five times. But this summer, you know, I've I've had access to a lot of a lot of great goalie minds and a lot of, you know, opportunities like like this one here, and I'll head down and skate with Ben Vanderklok next week.

So this summer's been a little bit more more both on ice and off ice too. So it's, you know, not too much going on in Bonnyville, Alberta nowadays. Fans there, so I always go back and and see them and check-in on them. But, yeah, just absorb and be a sponge for for the off season and and take what I can into the seasons.

I was gonna say, like, I was just about to say, you're from Bonnyville, Alberta. Mhmm. So I like, the Ben Vanderklok thing, like, you said different minds and, like, is that, like, a conscious you're going out? Is that something your agency is helping you do? Like, just trying to learn as much as you can in these key development years.

Yeah. That's funny enough. Like, when I was when I was younger, my dad was able to bring me just kind of everywhere in that aspect. So I skated with Lyle and Dustin Schwartz when I was, like, 10. You know, I had a little Spider Man goalie mask, and I was out there buzzing around.

And and I think I was, like, 15 when I was with Ben Vanderklok. So now it's like, yeah, I put myself in a position to where, you know, I got some time this summer, and it's like, it's kinda full circle to kinda go back and see, you know, that little version of me to now I'm getting to an adult and matured a little bit on and off the ice and and kinda grow and learn these opportunities too.

Okay. So I wanna pull on that string a little bit. Your dad taking you to different places. Like, just how do you like, let's start with the origin story. How did how did Emmett become a goaltender?

How did Emmett become a goaltender? Well, I was probably the dirtiest forward of all time as a as a young kid. I was getting in scraps and spearing guys when I was, like, eight. So I think what we, you know, we'd rotate goalie. You know, everyone shared the same gear and you'd go in.

And my first game, I got a shut out and I was like, wow. I like this. And, you know, knows if I didn't get that shut out, what would've happened? But that's how it happened. And, you know, since then, grew up, played minor hockey in Bonnyville, played double A, and, yeah, from there, just try like, outsourced all the way to California.

That's kind of a unique story, and a lot of people ask me about that. And then made my way into the USHL, and then then then the rest is history from there.

Okay. So I'm gonna need to so your dad would take you to different camps. I feel like the California thing, I have to ask about that. Was that just like a conscious effort Mhmm. Travel team tournaments, you go meet different guys?

We heard that story from Thatcher Demko, or, like, in the summers, you guys were just trying to expand the horizons as much as possible. Walk me through it.

Yeah. I think, you know, dad doesn't mind driving and going on little trips to get away get away from Northeast Alberta. So, yeah, like, it was you know, the summer was a lot of hockey camps, and and, you know, at a young age, you enjoy it, and you just you love getting on the ice and having fun. Like, obviously, you still do, but it's almost like a little bit more euphoric as a kid. It's just like whenever you're on the ice, it's just it's unreal.

So, yeah, like, it's as a kid, it was just like my dad would find things and, you know, he'd he'd hear from, you know, other goalies in the area just about like, hey. What works? What's this? And, you know, he had fun doing it, and I did too. And it and it wasn't more of a it wasn't I don't know.

I guess, like, me, like, I need to get better, better, better. It was just experience and having fun and getting comfortable on your skates. And and, you know, I've met so many amazing minds and amazing for, like, friends I've made at goalie camps and spring hockey when I was, like, 10 to where it's like I still talk to them nowadays. So I love that. I love that.

Now California, you you teased it. So now you gotta follow through. Yeah. How'd you end up at California?

Yeah. So there was a bit of a backlog going into AAA at the midget level in Lloydminster. You know? Braden Holtby. Braden Holtby.

Yeah. When he was in Hershey, I was in John Stevenson's garage and Braden Holtby was shooting pucks at me from the the puck machine. So that's

Oh, like speaking of stories, he I feel like you've got a few there. That's beautiful.

Yeah. We'd go out and see John Stevenson in his little garage and launch pucks at me and yeah. It's just little stuff like that. It just it makes the person and the goalie you are today. And when I guess back to the California thing, it was just it was almost just an opportunity.

And as a 15 year old kid moving to California, obviously, it has its challenges, but it doesn't sound too bad. So didn't wear a pair of pants that year and and had a really good year, and and they got me into the USHL. So K. From there

Yeah. And I so all these great experiences, but as you're going through this, like, it's funny because you've been on the ice with Callum Tung.

Yeah.

And he's coming off his first year pro, signs a contract with the Rangers. You're drafted by Montreal, but for him, not drafted into the dub, not drafted into the NHL. What was some lessons there? Were you not drafted in the WHL,

or was it? Yeah. No. I was we you know, everyone in the area of Bonnyville kinda stayed back, and we played AA. And I think one or two of us got drafted, but, you know, we stayed back, and it was easier on the parents for, you know, driving and and school and, you know, it's just kind of a it's a challenge, right, like, financially and, you know, as a young young kid to move away.

So I was around Bonnyville, I was just literally having fun playing hockey. And, you know, the WHL draft had never worked out, but I'm really I'm really happy that, you know, my dad and my grandpa and my mom, like, they all they all understood from an aspect that that doesn't really define your trajectory as a goalie and a person is it's almost just like as a young kid, I was able to to take that as fuel in a sense and and use that to just be like, okay. Like, that didn't happen, and I'm still a great goalie, and I still love this sport. So I use that as a trajectory, like, you know, throw a midget and whatnot to just try and get to the next level. And you know what I mean?

It's not proving people wrong, but it's just like, alright. What's next? You know what I mean? You can't you know, if you dwell on it, you'll feel that, you know, emotionally. You'll feel it in your game.

Like, it's like, you take you take everything as a learning experience, and you grow from that. And then that was what I was able to do.

So was there any point where you dwelled on it a little bit? Like, is that a lesson you learned? Because I think that's human nature too. Right? Like, when you've learned from it, obviously.

Percent. Yeah. It's easy to just say, like, oh, don't care. But, know, as a kid, like, it's like, oh, it's like it is it is hard, and it is hard. And, you know, the WHL draft is that's a young like, you're young when that happens, and a lot of people are not even close to developed or you know what I mean?

A lot of kids age a little faster than others, and you see that. So it's it was tough for a couple days, and I just kinda, you know, put my work boots on, which is like, I love hockey and this, you know, this isn't the end of it. This is only just the beginning. So

So all those different voices from John Stevenson's Garage with Braden Holtby to going to California, what was that year like? Mhmm. We were playing were you playing high school hockey down there?

It was it was a kind of like split, like, half high school, half 18 AAA. And at the eighteen AAA, we do showcases with the NAPHL as well. So A lot of travel. Yeah. A lot of travel.

Kinda catch the get to miss school on Friday, catch the flight to a lot of in Minnesota, Dallas. I think that was it was Minnesota and Dallas mostly that year, but saw the world as a young kid. Like, that was that was really cool. And and, you know, you played against a lot of good players at a at a young age. I was playing a little bit younger.

I was 16 down there playing 18. So if there's up there's 19 year olds playing in that, and that kinda got me into the eyes of USA hockey and and, you know, the pass that would would eventually lead from that. So

What about goalie coaching? You talked about some of the voices, and it seems like we're a conscious effort to go out and expand those voices. Who are some of the guys that had the biggest impact in the early years for you?

Yeah. Dale Fleming, Bonnyville. He played local senior hockey. He was the first kinda guy I had access to. And then from there, John Stevenson, Curtis Muka, Dustin Schwartz, Lyle, those were the main guys.

Those were guys in the area that really had an impact on me at a young age. And it's funny. I think back to Johnny Stevenson in his garage, like, he would give it to me. Like, he would call like, I'd I'd always bring my glove up, facing the roof. Like, I'd kinda open my palm up, and he'd call me the muffin man.

And, oh, he knew how to push my buttons. So it's just stuff like that you remember and, you know, how much time they put into me and, you know, my dad getting me there. It's just it's so funny and, like, just so cool to look back on all of that.

USHL experiences? Walk me through what was that like for you? I mean, obviously, being in in in that sort of prep high school and travel team, like, that's what you're Mhmm. You probably you're not going in blind or anything. You know what it's like, but the opportunities, the the the development during that stage of your career.

Yeah. Obviously, the the path is a bit different nowadays with all the role changes and whatnot, but but back in my time wait. I'm not even old. I'm saying back in my time.

No. But, honestly, like like but this is it's funny because I know you had some exposure to Mike Condon at at the dev camp. We had him on the podcast, and he talked about how, like, he was in the same high school for six years Mhmm. The same university for four. Mhmm.

The fact that you were at in Waterloo in the USHL for three years, like, even that's Mhmm. Increasingly less likely to happen. Like, that's stability compared to what these quote, unquote kids face couple years younger than you now.

Yeah. So it was like, you know, I talked to my guy at the time, Eric Darwitz, who I was working with, through Hawkeye hockey, and he just said, hey. Like, there might be some USHL teams looking and some NHL teams and shook it with a grain of salt. Like, I didn't get too invested. And I was taking a nap, and I woke up from a call from Waterloo and got drafted got drafted there before the the summer before I went there.

And I initially thought I was in Ontario, actually. I thought called my family from Ontario. I was like, oh, I'm coming to Waterloo. Turns out it was in Iowa. But, yeah, that was a unique experience, and it worked out, you know, like, you know, as a young kid, COVID year, three goalies, almost kinda snuck in and just got a lot of practice reps, snuck in, got some games, and and then built from there.

So I was super grateful for that.

How'd your game evolve? And, again, probably another more new voices and maybe some advice on how to handle. Like, you've you've worked with all these different people Yeah. How to take things Mhmm. Not lose yourself

Mhmm.

To different voices and and make sure it's a positive, and here you go to the USHL. Now as your goalie coach, he controls some elements of your life for the next couple of years, you gotta listen, but maybe not everything works. Like, walk us through what not just what was that like for you, but advice to other kids that might face that same type of thing.

Yeah. I mean, going into junior hockey, you know, the game's the same. Hockey's hockey, but a lot of big changes life wise and a lot of big changes, you know, you gotta keep in touch with yourself mentally, physically, to set yourself up for that. So, you know, as a young like, I was pretty young going there, and I struggled at times. Like, you gotta, you know, you gotta wake up.

You gotta do your laundry. You gotta take care of yourself. Get ready. Get yourself stretched. And it it presents a lot of a lot of challenges that you can learn from and grow from, but they can, you know, weigh you down at times.

So I I, I struggle at times, but I think it was just slow, consistent progress. You know, you you go out one practice. You don't stretch. You're gonna feel it. And then the next day, I'm sure you're gonna stretch.

Right? So little stuff like that that to where I was able to constantly just to learn and adapt to be a pro. Like, there was a lot of lot of great guys to learn from. You know? I think a big one was Max Sasson.

He's with the Vancouver Canucks now, and, obviously, he's a forward, but just a guy who, you know, unconditionally himself. And he he approached the game the right way and was a pro and a guy I looked up to. And being around so many like mind like minded people and peers at a very high level, you learn. And and that's the biggest part of it. So How'd your game evolve?

Mhmm.

Yeah. I was like, I remember my first game. I prayed pretty sure I was on the on my belly for half the game, just just wild. And but I think that, you know, there's still a piece of that to my game nowadays. Like, it's like I like to be athletic and make saves, but, obviously, there's a lot more control into that.

But it's almost like, you know, pushing the needle little by little, the details, and you you understand the speed because that's the biggest difference that we talked about with Lyle this week. That's what changes the speed of everything, the release, the players, the, the speed of you as well. So it was it was just so cool to see my evolution throughout the three years. It was like, first year on my belly, just wild. Then I was like, second year, it was like, k.

I got a little control here now. And then third year, I was able to beat plays, follow it, and, you know, you just feel more and more elite as as time goes on. So

And third year is where you get drafted, if I'm not mistaken. 2022. After your second year. Okay. Okay.

Mhmm. So memories of

Yeah.

Draft? Like, were you there in person? Did you follow it along on the computer? How'd that go for you?

Yeah. It was it was unique. Like, I talked to Raf beforehand, and he said, hey. Like, I think, like, 70-75% chance you go. I was like, great.

That's awesome. I didn't wanna go and, like, you know, have it'd be kinda tough to kinda show up and, you know, not have your name fault. So I was just, I was at home. I was actually getting dressed to go on the ice with Curtis Muka, at one of his summer camps, and I got a call from Raf, and he said, hey. Your name just got called in the Bell Centre.

So it was funny. It was a room full of goalies, and I got that phone call, and everyone kinda knew what was going on. And I walked out and shared a moment with my dad. You know, he was he was crying, that you don't see that often, and that was that was special. It was a real, like, kinda benchmark to see, you know, all that work that I put in and, you know, as a family, as, you know, personally, like, to just kinda feel like the reward.

But, yeah, like, it is it was an honor, and it was just something that y'all cherish forever.

And it and it's the haves and it was out of the Bell Center.

Yeah. Yeah. It was so I guess maybe part of me wishes I was there. Thank you for that for that aspect, but, yeah, really cool.

Well, you don't wanna be like last draft I covered live was 2019 here, and that was the year Dustin Wolf sat there as the WHL goalie of the year and got picked in the absolute last round. I'll never forget the cheer, but it wasn't that far from not happening. Right? That's tough. That's again, we talk about the expectations and the pressure that come with that.

It's a tough way to live.

It's, you know, it's tough sometimes because it's like, as a as a goaltender, you you know, sometimes you maybe get a little more credit you deserve, and sometimes people are little more little more hard on you than than they should be. That was Braden Holtby. I remember he said then that interview what was it? His, like, pregame routine video. I probably watched that, like, 50 times.

I love that video. But, you know, it's as you get older, you learn how to kinda narrow that scope and understand that it's really just kinda you, and it's you versus you. And, you know, you can you can listen and you can, you know, you can acknowledge, you know, all that outside noise and expectations and and pressure, you know, because that's human nature. But I think as you mature and you grow within the game and as a person, you kinda learn to kinda dilute that and take it for

what it is. So yeah. Clarkson? Mhmm. Was college always the what, like, through the USHL and you get drafted?

Were were you always thinking university?

Yeah. I think as a young age, like, I saw a lot of cases of, you know, guys going to major junior early and then not working out. And then from there, the the the road The window closes quick. The road gets narrow. Obviously, it's it's a bit different nowadays, but I was always not scared, but it was just like, why not give myself an opportunity to go somewhere, play, get a good get a good education, and maybe a little bit more comfortably.

You know, it's a little bit more cutthroat at a young age at that major junior level. So in my mind, I was always college. Like, I went to a couple of those college hockey in skates that they hosted down in Edmonton, and that gave me and my dad, like, an a bit of an understanding and a scope of, you know, what it was and what it was gonna take. So I guess that was always the goal at a young age too. So

Start at Clarkson, only one year there, and then you transfer over to Dartmouth, another thing that's changed. Right? That portal and and things being more open. Walk me through that decision and some of the influences you had at Clarkson and then your work at Dartmouth over the last few years.

Yeah. It was you know, my first year was tough. Like, you can obviously look at my lead prospects and see the numbers and and whatnot, but I look

I also know the numbers don't always tell the full story. And then when we talk about life adjustments, that's a pretty big one, Emmett.

Yeah. Yeah. And it's it's funny you say that because it's like, I look back on that year and I'm so grateful that I've went through everything I went through for that year. It's I showed up. I was a little bit out of shape and, know, a little bit maybe higher expectations of myself than than what was, you know, needed.

So, yeah, like, I I learned that, you know, I needed to kinda slim down and get into shape and and be more of a pro. And, you know, that year I got hurt and and dealt with some stuff, you know, on and off the ice. And I I look back on that almost every couple days and and appreciate the growth that that came from that. So, yeah, it's just like, you know, every lesson, every mistake, every so called failure, there's a lesson behind it, and I was able to take the good in that.

So the decision to transfer to Dartmouth, the opportunity there, new voices again, probably new voices again, new coaches, new philosophies?

Yeah. Yeah. It was wow. I I look back, and it's just like, I didn't know what I was getting myself into going to Dartmouth, and it's the best decision I've ever made in my life. Like, it's I'm at the I'm at one of the best schools in the world, and I'm playing really good hockey with really cool people.

Just living, learning. Like, it's just it's exceptional. The people and the class and the way they treat us there. So it's I could go on and on. I could make this podcast really long about how happy I was coming to Dartmouth with coach Cashman, coach Tapp, and and all the the, you know, great teammates I've had.

So We've had a few Dartmouth grads on here before, so we we we know how good it is there. Dev camp. Yep. What you can share, obviously, at the NHL level, sometimes there are things they don't want you to share too much, but get a chance to work with Marco Marciano each time you've been there. Now he's in a different role still, but still involved in the dev camp side of things.

How's your game evolved, or how what kind of opinions have you gotten from them about where it needs to go and what needs to change, if anything?

Yeah. So, you know, working working with Marco with the past couple of years, like, high energy guy. Like, we work on the balls. We we he he really preaches the whole details. And I think that's what was missing a lot of my early you know, my junior and my early college college days.

And, obviously, you're still working, you know, never perfect. But having him there to push me and, you know, he's appreciated my growth and, you know, the work I've put in on and off the ice. So it was fun. Like, you just go to those and you you kinda you're kind of a little bit starstruck, but you're also learning so much. And and it's it's, you know, it's experience people would kill for.

And I, you know, acknowledge that and, you know, just try and be a sponge that week. And, you know, you have a lot of fun, and it's a free trip to Montreal at the end of the day. So it's, you know, you gotta appreciate that.

Are there any specifics? Like, I mean, the pro games change so much, but at the same time, you're not you're not there yet. You know, you're still playing at Dartmouth. They probably don't wanna take you out of thing. There's probably things that they wanna change or adjust slightly Yeah.

That will translate it pro. Mhmm. But you don't want it to be at the expense of success in college. So what kind of things have you what kind of adjustments you've made the past couple of years?

Yeah. It's a lot of it. You know, I've, you know, kinda slimmed down and got a little bit bigger, faster, stronger. So now coming into that frame, I'm able to move a lot better. You know, it was before I was getting a little wide and getting behind plays a little bit.

So now it's kinda getting out of those habits and beating plays and using my size. And, you know, I you know, I was talking about, like, I like to get a little wily in the net. Like, you know, my first year junior, like, sometimes I'm in the white paint. But so now it's kind of just, like, addressing, like, there is a time for time and a place for that, and it's kinda that window closes and closes is, you know, the game gets faster. So a lot of it just understanding how big I am, hitting my spots, and hitting them efficiently.

And I think that's, you know, what we've been doing with Lyle, this week, and that's what Marco has been preaching. So keeping like, Marco preaches a lot about staying over top of pucks and and, you know, tracking head trajectory, and it's kinda similar to stuff we talk about with Lyle. And two great goalie minds that I get to work within a short span of time, so it's it's awesome to absorb all that info and and take input in the game.

So and I've got to win this this firsthand. Like, you absolutely have another gear. Mhmm. And I love that because because unpredictability matters, but not with like, it can't be uncontrolled unpredictability. You see that?

Like like, you don't wanna get too boxed in, but you see the values of different routes that put you in position with such a big frame.

Yeah. What's what's the quote? It's easier to, like, paint stripes on a tiger than try and get you know what I mean? You know what I'm saying? You gotta put

I know I I don't know that one, but I know exactly what you're saying.

So, yeah, it's like, have that there and, you know, like, broken play bounces backdoor, like, show up and and try and athletically get there. But from now, it's just trying to trying to box that in and just understand well, I guess, pun intended with the box control and filling space and understanding our depth. And, you know, it's it's crazy to see, like, me like, you've talked about the stats and how the game is changing and how fast and how horizontal how horizontal, like, the plays are getting made. So you gotta set yourself set yourself up to get there and and beat that play.

So I gotta ask. Did you play other sports growing up? Because, like, the hands are really fun to watch. Mhmm. They're active, controlled.

You're cutting pucks off with your hands that a lot of guys are hoping hit their shoulder. Mhmm. Where does that come from? Is other sports involved or just I mean, obviously, goaltending is a part

of it. But As a as a young kid, I really like just doing everything. Like, I was pretty wily kid. It was hard to get me down for bedtime, but a lot of basketball, a lot of lacrosse, those are kinda two things that I I love doing. And, obviously, I've cut down on the lacrosse.

It's as much as I wish I could, you gotta kinda protect the body in that sense.

It's a tough sport.

Yeah. Tough sport. You know, I played junior b a couple years ago, and I got a taste. It was fun to let the anger out a bit, but I just thought for the long run, it'd probably be better if I stay. But a lot of basketball and, you know, I've been working a lot of hand eye stuff too on the side.

So I think

that's helped. But yeah. Any any anything that you've done on the hand eye side or worked with anybody or programs you've done that maybe another young goalie might be like, oh, tell me more. Tell me more.

Yeah. So I do racquetballs, tennis balls. It's crazy that I'm blanking on the name right now, but it's the one with the the balls that they float and they have the different numbers on them. You know what I'm talking about? That program on the computer?

I'm gonna start Vizual Edge too as well.

I was just Vizual Edge is the one I'm thinking of, but I know exactly what you're talking about because I'm guessing probably John Stephenson. It's and I know exactly what it is that you way back in the day, the Canucks had that program in their mind room before anybody else had a mind room, and we'll we'll we'll insert

it here. I'll I'll I'll remember. Yeah. Yeah. So just little stuff like that, and it's like, if you're bored, you're sitting, and you're gonna doomscroll a little bit, why not just, you know, train your eyes and do something like that?

And in the summers, like, you know, before I go to bed and before I like to read or just meditate or wind down, it's like, just go throw some balls at the wall, decompress, and get away from the screen, and it's fun. You get to actively just throw balls at the wall. It's kinda fun. I mean, maybe I'm that's the goalie in me is talking, but, yeah, something you can work on.

Did you have a guy growing up?

Like, did you was there somebody you looked at, like, and was like, I wanna play like that guy? It's funny enough. I was always huge Jonathan Quick, and then I started to grow and understand that I'm gonna be a little bit different than Jonathan Quick. So after that, it was it was all all Carey and all Vassy. Those are two guys that, you know, if you can be half as good as they are, you're probably in a good spot.

But it's like, nowadays, it's like I take tidbits from everything. Like, I was able to skate with Carter Hart last summer and just seeing his detail and how precise he is with his movements is incredible. Like, it was honest honestly breathtaking and just showed me, like, how good I need to be to play at the next level. And I've always, all my all my old teammates and stuff know this, I love Binner. I appreciate, like, what he brings to the game, like, feistiness and his compete level.

It's just like, you can't teach that stuff. And it's like, I like to have a little bit of that game, a little fire under my butt. So it's like, as I've grown up, I've taken so many little things from so many goalies, and it's like, to be able to kinda be in a level that's kinda close to them is just like so grateful and, you know, having fun and appreciate that a lot. So

The smile, like, seems to be there constantly even on the ice and the compete and battling with the guys and maybe a few words we can't repeat on this podcast as you go through it with them, but chirping that back and forth. We've heard it from a lot of different guys over the years. Flowers, one of them. Right? Like, the ability to continue to even if you're in this moment where it's becoming a career and you're recognizing the importance of details, fun.

Like, it it matters.

Mhmm. And it's like, sometimes being a goal isn't forgiving. And in those moments when you can realize that, you know, you're me, like, I'm getting to go to a Ivy League school, getting mentored by amazing coaches, meeting people, travel the world. It's an opportunity people would kill for, and I'm grateful. And it's just it's a blast.

Mhmm. And it's like, sometimes being a goal isn't forgiving. And in those moments when you can realize that, you know, you're me, like, I'm getting to go to a Ivy League school, getting mentored by amazing coaches, meeting people, travel the world. It's an opportunity people would kill for, and I'm grateful. And it's just it's a blast.

Like, it's like, I think back to, like, when my dad would make me work at his truck plant a couple summers ago. I that there's nothing I'd hate more. I'd rather do cardio for ten hours a day than than do that. And, you know, if I use that as motivation or or whatever, but it's just like, appreciate where I'm at and the people that have

got me here a lot. So Last one. The work this week just because it's unique, the goggles. Had you used those before the TrackOpti goggles?

Yeah. I'd done a little bit of a more of a makeshift version. Like, I think I ordered some off Amazon and added some tape and and whatnot. Made your

own, But you you understood the concept going

in. Concept, and it's like, you know, we talked about it's like it's a tool where it's like you're actively just teaching and helping yourself without realizing it. You're staying over pucks, and then you take those glasses off, and you just see your full vision. You're like, wow. Like, I just feel you just feel, like, big.

You feel like you're meeting pucks. You feel like you're over top of it. The game slows down a little bit. So it's a tool I use every practice. Like, first ten minutes, I throw those on, and you take them off, and it's almost like you're you're primed and, like, you're set to stay over pucks and and and watch them right in your glove, right in your blocker, in and out.

So it's really cool to see what what he's been working on and what's gonna be coming soon. But, yeah, seeing it firsthand and having access to

it has been been awesome. So Emmett, this has been fantastic. Thank you so much for taking the time. I feel like I said, like, especially now, I know this is the first of many with you. I can't wait to follow along, and I know I know our our host, Daren Millard, will be the same way.

We we discover young goalies we didn't know well, and then we we become big fans and follow their career, and I can't wait to do the same with you.

Awesome. Well, I appreciate you guys what you guys are doing with position. Like, it's it's a little bit niche. Like, you know, everyone's saying goalies are weird. We are kinda sometimes, but it's cool.

Yeah. It's exactly like I've watched so many episodes and taken tidbits and just learned and applied it to myself. So thanks for having me and yeah. Well, thank you.

Outro

Yeah. Add him to the list. Guys will follow all winter long.

And and the personality, came through a little bit there in the podcast, but on the ice, it's even like, there's we had some really good shooters at at this podcast or, sorry, at this this ice time with with Lyle Mast and with these two goalies. Had Jansen Harkin show up on the final day. Had Tyler Thorpe, Montreal Canadiens prospect, who actually told me he roomed with Cam Fowler last year in Laval in the American Hockey League. So so some really good shooters and the back and forth between Emmett and the shooters. Like, the fun party talks like, it kinda you know, we always go the cliche is flower.

Right? You know? And and ties there to Marco Marciano in Montreal, and that's gonna be his goalie coach when he gets there to the Canadiens. And but just the joy with which he plays and the times when he just opens the car door and competes, like, and sort of finding that balance between the structure he's trying to build in his game and that just intensity that compete, that desperation that that shows up on the ice with also a lot of pretty entertaining chirps afterwards and some hat tips when the guys hit their spot. The other thing I would say about Emmett, my goodness, Incredible hands.

Like, just it was hard to miss. Like, it jumped out how active, and how stable and controlled, but how well he controls play with both the blocker and the glove. It was it was pretty impressive stuff. This is not a passive blocking goaltender by any means. So great hands, great kid, can't wait to follow the career.

It's gonna be fun. Looking forward to that and tracking his career along with all the other goaltenders that we bring you on InGoal Radio, the podcast. What's what's happening for the next week as you have a little bit of space before the USA Goaltending Symposium?

Well, just trying to roll out more content at ingoalmag.com. We've talked about the Dylan Garand series. Part five is up. Part six is almost finalized. So when you get to the end of that, we've got some little takeaways that were not necessarily part of the drills that he shared with us.

So that continues and at the end, you'll be able to basically put it all together and have Dylan Garand's hour long skating that he does every summer to sort of build his game. No no shots. An entire hour, no shots, all skating. This is this is how you get better, folks. So parts five and six of that are coming up.

Part five is live right now if you go to ingoalmag.com. We've got a great article coming from Michael Lawrence about face offs and face off positioning. A lot of sort of deeper thoughts about as the game evolves, have we evolved how we approach our positioning off face offs. He's talked to me about how he's coaching in the OHL now, came back from all those years in Switzerland, and he can't believe he gets to these junior identification camps and really skilled talented goaltenders completely taking themselves out of the play with needless depth setting up on a face off draw in the offensive zone. So we've got a great article on that that I think applies to young goalies, old goalies, and junior aspirants, right up to pro.

We're seeing these evolutions in how guys do it. And then just just lots more content. We're we're rolling through our footage from last year, so I'm trying to get through. I've got clips left of Dustin Wolf, who is a fan favorite, as well as Eric Comrie. Now that he's no longer with the Jets, I'm trying to get all his Jets video out in ProReads, so that will continue.

And then we've got some new guys that we're connecting with this month to do more ProReads. I mentioned Joey Daccord live in Boston. We're hoping to connect with some other guys while we're there. Hoping to get Devin Cooley on for some ProReads. Spencer Knight, lot of big names that we're adding for the 2627 season to make sure that we've got those ProReads stocked and coming with lots more great insights for goalies around the world.

And then you're off to Boston with Hutch sitting side by side in Row 11 d e? I would say Row 111

back of the plane. Is there a g and h? All I know is that I want the window seat.

Okay. I was gonna say, who gets the, middle seat?

I don't know. If there's leg room, I get it. I'm taller.

I'm with you on that one. Hutch, sorry. Thanks for listening to InGoal Radio, the podcast. We'll talk to you again.